Amateurs can register for the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2027 starting November 1

Want to play chess yourself in the very same setting where the world's elite take to the board? Starting Sunday, November 1 at 10:00 AM, amateurs can register for the amateur tournaments of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2027. The 89th edition will take place from January 15 to 31, 2027, in Wijk aan Zee.

Tournament Director Jeroen van den Berg: “The beauty of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament is that elite chess and amateur chess come together here. Visitors can watch their chess heroes play up close, while thousands of amateurs sit down at the board themselves. For many participants, Wijk aan Zee has become an annual tradition. They reunite with old acquaintances and have built friendships here over the years. That makes the tournament so much more than just a chess competition.”

World top heading to Wijk aan Zee

The lineup for the Masters tournament will be announced on Tuesday, November 10. The lineup for the Challengers tournament is also virtually finalized. Van den Berg: “We are almost finished with the player fields for the Masters and Challengers. Once again, these will be strongly contested tournaments featuring familiar faces as well as promising new talent. We look forward to announcing the names soon.”

Plenty of space for amateurs

During the 89th edition, many amateurs will again have the opportunity to take to the board. Games will once more be played in Dorpshuis De Moriaan, the familiar heart of the tournament where the Masters and Challengers also play. In addition, Strandhotel Het Hoge Duin is available as a playing location once again. Van den Berg: “Het Hoge Duin offers us extra room for the amateur tournaments. Alongside the weekend quads, matches for the nine-round tournaments will also be played there this year. This allows us to give many amateurs the chance to be part of the tournament.”

New youth tournament

A new addition to the chess lineup is a special youth tournament during the opening weekend. A two-day youth Rapid tournament will take place on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17. Young players up to 16 years old can sign up through the Youth Rapid tournament registration page.

Start of amateur tournament registration

Registration for the weekend tournaments (three rounds), weekday tournaments (three rounds), and nine-round tournaments opens on Sunday, November 1 at 10:00 AM via our website for amateur tournaments. Act fast: registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Amateur tournaments website

November 1, 2026: Registration opens at 10:00 AM via https://tatasteelchess.com/en/amateur-events