Franconian Senior Derby Bischofsgrün
Nine-round chess tournament for seniors at Hotel Kaiseralm in the Fichtelgebirge
About Franconian Senior Derby
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Chess Derby in the Fichtelgebirge
The Franconian Senior Derby is a relatively new addition to the traditional Open Franconian Senior Tournament in Bischofsgrün. Starting in 2023, ChessOrg Hoffmann Reisen GmbH, in cooperation with the Upper Franconia Chess District, organizes a second chess festival annually for players aged 55 and over. The venue, like its sister tournament, is the Hotel Kaiseralm in Bischofsgrün, located in the Bayreuth district (Upper Franconia, Bavaria).
Format and Time Control
The tournament typically consists of nine rounds played under the Swiss system. Time control: 40 moves in 100 minutes, followed by an additional 30 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move from the first move. The first round starts on the arrival day at 2:30 PM after a brief registration period, with subsequent rounds commencing at 9 AM. Byes are possible up to the 4th round, allowing players with their own travel or family plans to participate.
Atmosphere at Hotel Kaiseralm
Hotel Kaiseralm is situated above the center of Bischofsgrün, offering views of the Fichtelgebirge. The combination of a chess tournament and relaxation in a climatic health resort makes the chess festival a classic chess holiday: focused play in the mornings and afternoons, with opportunities for hikes on the Ochsenkopf, in the Weißmaintal valley, or through the Bischofsgrün forest in between. Many participants travel with their partners and use the hotel with half-board as a comfortable base.
Prizes and Awards
Trophies are awarded to the top 3 finishers, and every participant receives a souvenir prize. Special categories, such as the oldest participant (»Nestor«), are also recognized. At the 3rd Senior Derby in 2025, Karl-Johan Laustsen won both the overall derby and the Nestor category.
Organizers
The event is organized by ChessOrg Hoffmann Reisen GmbH from Bad Zwischenahn (Lower Saxony), which specializes in senior chess travel, in cooperation with the Upper Franconia Chess District. The tournaments in Bischofsgrün are among the most traditional senior chess events in Germany.
Franconian Senior Derby — edition 2026
The 4th edition of the Franconian Senior Derby will be held from August 29 to September 6, 2026, at Hotel Kaiseralm in Bischofsgrün. The organizers are ChessOrg Hoffmann Reisen GmbH in cooperation with the Upper Franconia Chess District.
Nine rounds will be played under the Swiss system. Registration on the arrival day, August 29, 2026, between 1 PM and 2 PM, with the first round starting at 2:30 PM. Subsequent rounds begin daily at 9 AM, with the final round on Sunday, September 6, 2026, in the morning. Time control per player: 100 minutes for 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes, with a 30-second increment from move 1.
Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers, and every participant will receive a souvenir prize. Special awards for the oldest participant (male and female, »Nestor«) and for age categories. Byes are possible up to the fourth round, allowing the tournament to be combined with individual travel and hiking plans in the Fichtelgebirge.
Programme Franconian Senior Derby 2026
2026 Schedule
- Saturday, August 29, 2026: 1:00 PM–2:00 PM Registration, 2:30 PM Round 1
- Sunday, August 30, 2026: 9:00 AM Round 2
- Monday, August 31, 2026: 9:00 AM Round 3
- Tuesday, September 1, 2026: 9:00 AM Round 4
- Wednesday, September 2, 2026: 9:00 AM Round 5
- Thursday, September 3, 2026: 9:00 AM Round 6
- Friday, September 4, 2026: 9:00 AM Round 7
- Saturday, September 5, 2026: 9:00 AM Round 8
- Sunday, September 6, 2026: 9:00 AM Round 9, followed by award ceremony
Playing Format
- Swiss system, 9 rounds
- Time control: 100 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1
- Byes possible up to round 4
- Participation from age 55
Highlights Franconian Senior Derby 2026
- Nine-round chess tournament at Hotel Kaiseralm Bischofsgrün
- Swiss system with bye option up to round 4
- Trophies for places 1–3, souvenir prize for all
- Nestor special award for the oldest participants
- Can be combined with hiking and relaxation in the Fichtelgebirge
Prices Franconian Senior Derby 2026
Entry fees and tournament packages are handled directly by ChessOrg Hoffmann Reisen GmbH. Typical packages combine the entry fee with hotel accommodation and half-board at Hotel Kaiseralm; exact prices depending on room category are available via chessorg.de and schachbund.de. Day guests without overnight stay pay a reduced entry fee.
Practical information — Franconian Senior Derby
Getting There
By train to Bayreuth, then by bus or taxi to Bischofsgrün (approx. 30 km). By car, take the A9 motorway (exit Bad Berneck) and the B 303 towards Bischofsgrün. Parking is available directly at Hotel Kaiseralm.
Registration
Registration via the German Chess Federation (schachbund.de) or directly with ChessOrg (chessorg.de). Entry fees and hotel packages vary depending on the booking.
Notes
Participation is open to individuals aged 55 and over. Half-board at Hotel Kaiseralm is recommended. Byes are possible up to the 4th round.
Contact
ChessOrg Hoffmann Reisen GmbH, Bad Zwischenahn, Tel. +49 177 9120251. The current tournament announcement is available on schachbund.de.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Franconian Senior Derby
Hotel Kaiseralm Bischofsgrün
Hotel Kaiseralm, 95493 Bischofsgrün