The Znojemská Rotunda Open 2026 will take place from August 1 to 8, 2026, at Louka Monastery in Znojmo, Czech Republic.
The revived chess festival combines two classical tournaments with rapid and blitz competitions. Tournament A is an open FIDE-rated event, while Tournament B is designed for players born in 2009 or later. The program also includes a rapid tournament, an 11-round blitz event, training sessions, a Swiss-Manager workshop, and a simultaneous exhibition with GM Vlastimil Babula.
The four competitive tournaments offer a combined cash prize fund of CZK 114,500 / approximately $5,410. In addition, the first ten boards of Tournament A will be broadcast online.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | August 1–8, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Znojmo, Czech Republic |
| 🏛️ Venue | Louka Monastery (Loucký klášter) |
| 👥 Organizer | Agentura rotunda s.r.o. with SK GPOA Znojmo |
| 👤 Festival Directors | Ing. Zdeněk Molík and MgA. Jakub Marek |
| ⚖️ Chief Arbiter | FA Martin Šmajzr |
| ⚖️ Deputy Arbiter | Radek Skoumal |
| ♟️ Formats | Classical, Rapid and Blitz |
| 📂 Competitions | FIDE Open, U18, Blitz and Rapid |
| 🔢 Classical Rounds | 7 |
| 📡 Live Broadcast | First 10 boards of Tournament A |
| 💰 Prize Fund | CZK 114,500 / approx. $5,410 |
| 🌐 Official Website | https://znojemska-rotunda-open.cz/public/en |
| Chess-Results | A: https://chess-results.com/tnr1345491.aspx?lan=1 · B: https://chess-results.com/tnr1345496.aspx?lan=1 · Blitz: https://chess-results.com/tnr1345499.aspx?lan=1 · Rapid: https://chess-results.com/tnr1345500.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All four tournaments use the Swiss System.
Tournament A uses a two-stage classical time control. Tournament B uses a single classical time period with an increment from move one. The rapid and blitz events take place on the opening and closing days of the festival.
| Tournament | Rounds | Time Control | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tournament A – FIDE Open | 7 | 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment per move | FIDE and Czech national rating |
| Tournament B – U18 | 7 | 90 minutes for the game, with a 30-second increment per move | FIDE and Czech national rating |
| Tournament C – Blitz | 11 | 5 minutes + 2 seconds per move | Not rated |
| Tournament D – Rapid | 7 | 10 minutes + 5 seconds per move | Czech national rating |
The waiting time for Tournaments A and B is 30 minutes.
Games follow the current FIDE Laws of Chess and the competition regulations of the Czech Chess Federation.
🏆 Prize Fund
The combined cash prize fund for Tournaments A, B, C and D is CZK 114,500 / approximately $5,410.
| Competition | Cash Prize Fund |
|---|---|
| Tournament A – FIDE Open | CZK 71,000 |
| Tournament B – U18 | CZK 29,500 |
| Tournament C – Blitz | CZK 7,000 |
| Tournament D – Rapid | CZK 7,000 |
| Total | CZK 114,500 / approx. $5,410 |
The cash funds are guaranteed when an individual tournament attracts at least 50 players. The organizer may proportionally reduce the applicable fund if participation remains below that level.
Tournament A – FIDE Open
Main Ranking Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | CZK 15,000 + trophy and medal |
| 2nd | CZK 10,000 + trophy and medal |
| 3rd | CZK 8,000 + trophy and medal |
| 4th | CZK 6,000 |
| 5th | CZK 3,000 |
| 6th | CZK 2,000 |
| 7th | CZK 1,000 |
| 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th and subsequent multiples of ten | CZK 500 |
Znojmo District Championship Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best player rated up to 1800 | CZK 1,000 |
| Best player rated 1801–2000 | CZK 1,000 |
| Best player rated above 2000 | CZK 1,000 |
South Moravian Championship U20 Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | CZK 1,500 |
| 2nd | CZK 1,000 |
| 3rd | CZK 500 |
Special Organizer Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best player without a FIDE rating | CZK 1,000 |
| Best player with FIDE rating up to 1600 | CZK 1,000 |
| Best player with FIDE rating 1601–1800 | CZK 1,000 |
| Best player with FIDE rating 1801–2000 | CZK 1,000 |
| Best player with FIDE rating 2001–2200 | CZK 1,000 |
| Best player born in 2009 or later | CZK 500 |
| Best player born in 1966 or earlier | CZK 500 |
| Best female player | CZK 500 |
| Youngest participant | Prize in kind |
| Oldest participant | Prize in kind |
Prizes may be accumulated. Cash prizes above CZK 10,000 are subject to a 15% tax deduction.
Tournament B – U18
Main Ranking Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | CZK 5,000 + trophy and medal |
| 2nd | CZK 4,000 + trophy and medal |
| 3rd | CZK 3,000 + trophy and medal |
| 4th | CZK 2,000 |
| 5th | CZK 1,000 |
| 6th | CZK 500 |
| 7th | CZK 500 |
| 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th and subsequent multiples of ten | CZK 500 |
Special Organizer Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best player without a FIDE rating | CZK 500 |
| Best player with FIDE rating up to 1600 | CZK 500 |
| Best player with FIDE rating 1601–1800 | CZK 500 |
| Best player with FIDE rating 1801–2000 | CZK 500 |
| Best player with FIDE rating 2001–2200 | CZK 500 |
| Best female player | CZK 500 |
| Youngest participant | Prize in kind |
South Moravian Youth Championship Prizes
| Category | Awards |
|---|---|
| Girls U18 and Open U18 | CZK 1,500 / CZK 1,000 / CZK 500 |
| Girls U16 and Open U16 | CZK 1,000 / CZK 700 / CZK 300 |
| Girls U14 and Open U14 | Prize in kind for the winner |
| Girls U12 and Open U12 | Prize in kind for the winner |
Prizes may be accumulated.
Tournament C – Blitz
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | CZK 2,800 + medal |
| 2nd | CZK 1,400 + medal |
| 3rd | CZK 1,000 + medal |
| 4th | CZK 600 |
| 5th | CZK 400 |
| 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th and subsequent multiples of ten | CZK 200 |
Tournament D – Rapid
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | CZK 2,800 + medal |
| 2nd | CZK 1,400 + medal |
| 3rd | CZK 1,000 + medal |
| 4th | CZK 600 |
| 5th | CZK 400 |
| 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th and subsequent multiples of ten | CZK 200 |
Players lose their right to a prize if they fail to report an absence before the pairing of the following round or do not attend the final awards ceremony. The organizer may grant an exception.
♟️ Sections / Groups
The festival includes four tournaments and one simultaneous exhibition.
| Competition | Eligibility and Format |
|---|---|
| Tournament A – FIDE Open | Open classical tournament with 7 Swiss rounds |
| Tournament B – U18 | Classical tournament for players born in 2009 or later |
| Tournament C – Blitz | Open 11-round blitz tournament |
| Tournament D – Rapid | Open 7-round rapid tournament |
| Event E – GM Simultaneous Exhibition | Simultaneous exhibition with GM Vlastimil Babula; capacity 30–35 players |
Tournament A also serves as the Znojmo District Classical Chess Championship.
Tournaments A and B include the South Moravian Chess Association championships in the relevant U18 and U20 age categories.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 1 | 09:00–10:00 | Check-in for Tournament D – Rapid |
| Saturday, August 1 | 10:15–15:00 | Tournament D – Rapid |
| Saturday, August 1 | 15:15–15:50 | Check-in for Tournaments A and B |
| Saturday, August 1 | 16:00 | Round 1 – Tournaments A and B |
| Sunday, August 2 | 10:00–14:00 | Swiss-Manager workshop with FA Martin Šmajzr |
| Sunday, August 2 | 10:00–14:00 | Training session with IM Neklan Vyskočil |
| Sunday, August 2 | 16:00 | Round 2 – Tournaments A and B |
| Monday, August 3 | 10:00–14:00 | Training session with IM Jaroslav Bureš |
| Monday, August 3 | 16:00 | Round 3 – Tournaments A and B |
| Tuesday, August 4 | 10:00 | Town Hall tower visit |
| Tuesday, August 4 | 16:00 | Round 4 – Tournaments A and B |
| Wednesday, August 5 | 10:00–14:00 | Training session with GM Pavel Šimáček |
| Wednesday, August 5 | 16:00 | Round 5 – Tournaments A and B |
| Thursday, August 6 | 10:00–14:00 | Training session with GM Vlastimil Babula |
| Thursday, August 6 | 16:00 | Round 6 – Tournaments A and B |
| Friday, August 7 | 09:00 | Round 7 – Tournaments A and B |
| Friday, August 7 | 14:00 | Awards ceremony for Tournaments A and B |
| Friday, August 7 | 15:30 | Simultaneous exhibition with GM Vlastimil Babula |
| Friday, August 7 | 18:30 | Local wine tasting |
| Saturday, August 8 | 09:00–10:00 | Check-in for Tournament C – Blitz |
| Saturday, August 8 | 10:15–14:30 | Tournament C – Blitz |
| Saturday, August 8 | 18:00 | Closing gathering with the organizers |
📝 Registration
Players must submit the registration form through the festival website. A registration becomes valid after payment of the applicable entry fee.
Registration Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registration Form | https://znojemska-rotunda-open.cz/public/en |
| znojemska.rotunda.open@gmail.com | |
| Bank Account | 2102501497/2010 |
| IBAN | CZ31 2010 0000 0021 0250 1497 |
| Payment Reference | Player’s full name |
| Tournament C and D Payment | Cash during on-site check-in |
Tournament A Entry Fees
| Player Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| GM, WGM, IM and WIM | Free |
| Selected JmŠS youth talents | Free |
| FIDE rating above 2400 | Free |
| FIDE rating 2201–2400 | CZK 600 |
| FIDE rating 2001–2200 | CZK 700 |
| FIDE rating 1801–2000 | CZK 800 |
| FIDE rating 1601–1800 | CZK 900 |
| FIDE rating up to 1600 or unrated | CZK 1,000 |
| Players born in 2009 or later with FIDE rating above 1800 | CZK 600 |
Tournament A offers a CZK 100 discount to players born in 1966 or earlier and players registered in the Znojmo district. Women receive a 50% entry-fee discount.
Other Entry Fees
| Competition or Activity | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Tournament B – U18 | CZK 700 |
| Selected JmŠS youth talents in Tournament B | Free |
| Tournament C – Blitz | CZK 250 |
| Tournament D – Rapid | CZK 250 |
| GM Simultaneous Exhibition | CZK 400 |
| Swiss-Manager Workshop | CZK 300 |
Tournament B entry includes free access to the scheduled chess training sessions.
Each player under 18 must attend with an accompanying adult aged 18 or older.
👥 Organizer
Agentura rotunda s.r.o. organizes the festival in cooperation with SK GPOA Znojmo.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Agentura rotunda s.r.o. |
| Cooperating Club | SK GPOA Znojmo |
| Festival Director | Ing. Zdeněk Molík |
| Festival Director and Main Organizer | MgA. Jakub Marek |
| Chief Arbiter | FA Martin Šmajzr |
| Deputy Arbiter | Radek Skoumal |
| znojemska.rotunda.open@gmail.com | |
| Phone | +420 774 235 357 |
| Website | https://znojemska-rotunda-open.cz/public/en |
📍 Venue
Louka Monastery (Loucký klášter) – Klášterní, 671 81 Znojmo, Czech Republic.
Tournaments A, B, C and D will take place in the monastery’s first-floor stucco halls.
The designated entrance is through the Vinotéka Znojmo area of the monastery complex. Refreshments will be available in the adjacent premises.
✈️ How to Get There
Znojmo has regional railway and bus connections with Brno and other cities in South Moravia.
Players arriving by train or intercity bus can continue to Louka Monastery by local public transport or taxi. Drivers should allow additional time to locate the correct entrance within the monastery complex.
International visitors can also travel through airports in Brno or Vienna and continue to Znojmo by road or public transport.
ℹ️ Other
The first ten boards of Tournament A will be broadcast online.
The festival program includes four chess training sessions, a Swiss-Manager workshop, a Town Hall tower visit, a simultaneous exhibition with GM Vlastimil Babula, a local wine tasting and a closing social gathering.
Participants in the simultaneous exhibition who defeat GM Vlastimil Babula or draw their game will receive a commemorative certificate.
Players must notify the organizer before the next round is paired if they plan to withdraw or miss a round. Failure to provide notice may result in the loss of prize eligibility.
All prize winners must attend the relevant awards ceremony unless the organizer grants an exception.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $5,410
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Agentura rotunda s.r.o. is a Czech company based in Znojmo. The company organizes the Znojemská Rotunda Open in cooperation with the chess club SK GPOA Znojmo. The official festival website identifies Agentura rotunda s.r.o. as the organizer and lists its registered address in Znojmo.
The organizer’s confirmed public chess activity focuses on the renewed Znojemská Rotunda Open. The 2026 tournament is the fourth edition since the festival’s revival. It takes place from August 1 to 8, 2026, at Loucký Monastery in Znojmo.
Ing. Zdeněk Molík and MgA. Jakub Marek serve as festival directors. The official festival contact page identifies Jakub Marek as the main organizer, while FIDE lists him as chief organizer of the 2026 FIDE Open. Therefore, he is the most appropriate contact person for the organizer profile.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Agentura rotunda s.r.o. organizes a multi-event chess festival rather than a single tournament. The 2026 program includes a FIDE Open, an under-18 classical tournament, a blitz tournament, and a rapid tournament. The organizer runs the festival together with SK GPOA Znojmo.
The FIDE Open and under-18 tournament each use a 7-round classical format. Both sections count for FIDE rating and the Czech national rating list. The FIDE Open uses 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one.
The 2026 festival also forms part of the South Moravian Chess Association’s U18 and U20 championship program. In addition, it includes the Znojmo District Championship in classical chess. The first ten boards of the main FIDE Open are scheduled for online broadcast.
🌍 Player Experience and Festival Program
The Znojemská Rotunda Open takes place in the historic Loucký Monastery. The venue hosts the classical sections and the festival’s additional chess activities. Its location gives participants access to the city of Znojmo and its surrounding cultural attractions during the tournament week.
The published 2026 program includes planned training sessions with experienced chess coaches. It also includes a Swiss-Manager workshop and a simultaneous exhibition with GM Vlastimil Babula. These activities add educational opportunities alongside the rated competitions.
The festival schedule also lists a town-hall tower visit, a local wine tasting, and an informal closing gathering. Registration, regulations, player lists, results, and practical festival information appear on the official website. Players can contact the organizing team directly by email or telephone.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
