Bucharest Grand Prix Rapid
The Bucharest Grand Prix Rapid – International Rapid Chess Championship of Romania runs on May 9-10, 2026, in Bucharest, Romania. This is a chess tournament in Bucharest, Romania, in 2026.
It is a major international rapid chess tournament with 10 Swiss rounds. The event uses a 15-minute time control with a 5-second increment, so the format stays fast while still giving players enough time for serious games.
The Romanian Chess Federation organizes the tournament at the Palace of Parliament. In addition, the event combines a strong open field with a separate Romanian ranking for the national rapid medals, which gives the weekend extra competitive value.
🏁 Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | May 9-10, 2026 |
| Location | Bucharest, Romania |
| Format | Open rapid tournament, 10-round Swiss system |
| Time control | 15 minutes + 5 seconds per move |
| Rating | FIDE Rapid rated |
| Sections | 1 open section |
| Prize fund | EUR 26,000 (approx. USD 30,378) |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a 10-round Swiss system. Each player gets 15 minutes plus a 5-second increment from move one. As a result, the games move quickly, yet players still have enough time to create full positions and fight for results.
The event is open to Romanian and foreign players who hold a valid FIDE ID. In addition, the rapid results count for FIDE rating, and a separate Romanian ranking determines the national rapid medalists.
💰 Prize Fund
The confirmed total prize fund is EUR 26,000 (approx. USD 30,378).
♟️ Sections / Groups
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Open | Single open rapid section for all eligible players with a valid FIDE ID |
| National ranking | Separate Romanian ranking used to determine the International Rapid Chess Championship of Romania medalists |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2026 | — | Arrival of participants |
| May 9, 2026 | 16:30 | Opening ceremony and technical meeting |
| May 9, 2026 | 17:00 | Rounds 1-4 |
| May 10, 2026 | 10:00 | Rounds 5-7 |
| May 10, 2026 | 15:00 | Rounds 8-10 |
| May 10, 2026 | 18:30 | Closing ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration method | Registration through the federation tournament platform |
| Early entry fee | EUR 50 until April 26, 2026 |
| Standard entry fee | EUR 60 from April 27 to May 5, 2026 |
| Title-holder concession | GM and WGM enter free |
| Payment rule | Registration becomes valid only after payment of the entry fee |
| Payment method | Payment after invoice issue to the Romanian Chess Federation account |
| Refund rule | Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable after May 5, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Open to Romanian and foreign players with a valid FIDE ID |
👤 Organizer
The Romanian Chess Federation runs this Bucharest stage of the Romania Grand Prix circuit. The event brings a large prize fund, a landmark venue, and a strong rapid format into one of the federation’s headline tournaments of the year.
Phone: +40 21 317 47 01
Email: bucurestigp@frsah.ro
📍 Venue
Palace of Parliament, Reception Hall, entrance on Izvor Street, Strada Izvor 2-4, Bucharest, Romania
The venue gives the tournament a distinctive setting in one of Bucharest’s best-known buildings. It also keeps the whole event in one central location, which makes the weekend easier for both local players and visitors.
🚗 How to Get There
Use Strada Izvor 2-4, Bucharest, in your navigation and enter from Izvor Street. The venue sits in central Bucharest, so it is easy to reach by taxi, rideshare, or city transport.
It is a strong choice for players who want a major rated rapid event in Bucharest.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $30,378
Venue on the Map
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