The Melbourne Chess Club is set to become the epicenter of Australian chess this week as the third edition of the Melbourne International Open (MIO) kicks off. Organized by Independent Chess Australia, the festival runs from April 14 to April 19, 2026, offering a comprehensive program that caters to everyone from elite Grandmasters to local enthusiasts.
The centerpiece of the MIO is the 9-round classical tournament, divided into two distinct tiers:
The Masters Division: Designed as a prestigious FIDE Title Tournament, this division serves as a crucial norm event for players seeking International Master (IM) and Grandmaster (GM) titles. With an estimated $6,750 prize pool (including $2,500 for first place), it attracts top-tier talent from across the region.
GM Mitrabha Guha from India, winner of the first Melbourne International Open, is heading the field.
The Amateurs Division: Offering a highly competitive environment for improving players, the Amateurs section features an estimated $2,750 in prizes, including dedicated awards for rating groups and unrated participants.
Both divisions follow a rigorous classical time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move, and all games will be both ACF and FIDE rated.
In addition to the main classical event, the MIO 2026 includes two fast-paced tournaments to test the players’ speed and intuition:
Rapid Tournament: A 9-round battle with a 13+2 time control (Estimated prize pool: $1,050).
Blitz Tournament: A lightning-fast 9-round event with a 3+2 time control (Estimated prize pool: $850).
The organizers have placed a strong emphasis on supporting female participation. A dedicated $500 Womenโs Prize will be awarded to the highest-scoring female player across either the Masters or Amateurs divisions. Furthermore, the winner will receive free entry into the next edition of the Melbourne International Open.
The tournament returns to the historic Melbourne Chess Club in Fitzroy. With a total estimated prize fund of approximately $12,000, the 2026 MIO stands as one of the most significant fixtures on the Australian chess calendar this year.
Top rated players:
1 GM Mitrabha Guha IND 2505
2 GM Mirzoev Azer AZE 2438
3 IM Nguyen Quoc Hy VIE 2420
4 IM Bjelobrk Igor AUS 2388
5 GM Rios Gomez Christhian Camilo COL 2385
6 GM Antonio Rogelio Jr PHI 2355
7 IM Li Tedric AUS 2348
8 IM Hernandez Sanchez Jairo Andres COL 2340
