Balàfia Lleida Chess Tournament 2026: Join Us During the Festa Major!
Chess will also take centre stage during Balàfia’s Festa Major. On Sunday, 23 August 2026, the Balàfia Civic Centre will host the Balàfia Festa Major Chess Tournament, organised by Club Escacs Balàfia in Lleida.
The tournament will begin at 9:00 a.m., with games played at a time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move. The event will count towards the 2026 Lleida Rapid Chess Circuit — Circuit de Ràpides de Lleida 2026 — and Israel Campos will be the tournament arbiter.
The tournament will take place in an air-conditioned venue with access for people with reduced mobility, so that everyone can enjoy the event comfortably.
A chess tournament in Lleida for rated and unrated players
Club Escacs Balàfia invites all rated players from Lleida and other towns to take part in this sporting event, held as part of the neighbourhood’s Festa Major celebrations.
We would also like to make a special appeal to unrated and non-federated players. Whether you usually play with family and friends or would like to experience the atmosphere of a chess tournament for the first time, this is an excellent opportunity to test your skills, meet other chess enthusiasts and enjoy chess in Balàfia.
The players who finish first and second in the non-federated players’ standings will be eligible for a discount on Club Escacs Balàfia’s federated player membership fee, should they decide to become registered players through the club.
Chess lessons in Balàfia for all levels
During the tournament, we will also provide information to anyone interested in the chess lessons for all levels offered by Club Escacs Balàfia.
The training programme is suitable both for beginners and for players who want to continue improving and develop their game.
A particular highlight is the training provided by chess grandmaster Herminio Herraiz, offering players an excellent opportunity to develop their strategy, tactics, game analysis and decision-making skills.
Balàfia Chess Tournament 2026: key information
Date: Sunday, 23 August 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Venue: Balàfia Civic Centre, Lleida
Time control: 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment
Arbiter: Israel Campos
Competition: part of the Circuit de Ràpides de Lleida 2026
Accessibility: venue adapted for people with reduced mobility
Air conditioning: air-conditioned venue
Organiser: Club Escacs Balàfia
Tournament registration
Registration is available through the following form:
https://forms.gle/7En8jVurvFnLAN5E7
Do not leave your registration until the final move. Save the date and get ready to enjoy a great day of chess in Balàfia, Lleida.
Acknowledgements
Club Escacs Balàfia would like to thank the Associació Veïnal de Balàfia, Dona Balàfia, Lleida City Council and the Diputació de Lleida for their support and collaboration, which help make this Festa Major tournament possible.
Whether you are an experienced federated player or have never played in a tournament before, we encourage you to join us, share your passion for chess and become part of Balàfia’s chess community.
See you across the board. Balàfia, building community together! ♟️
