7th Coop Saaremaa Chess Festival – Rapid
The 7th Coop Saaremaa Chess Festival – Rapid runs on May 23-24, 2026, in Kuressaare, Estonia. This is a chess tournament in Kuressaare, Estonia, in 2026.
The event is the rapid section of the wider Saaremaa chess festival weekend. It offers an 11-round rapid tournament in a seaside spa-hotel setting, so it combines serious competition with a relaxed island atmosphere.
The rapid tournament follows the festival blitz opener and serves as the main two-day event of the weekend. Moreover, the format includes a strong overall prize fund, several category awards, and a festive reception for rapid participants.
🏁 Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | May 23-24, 2026 |
| Location | Kuressaare, Estonia |
| Format | Open rapid tournament, 11-round Swiss system |
| Time control | 12 minutes + 3 seconds per move |
| Rating | FIDE Rapid rated |
| Sections | 1 open section |
| Prize fund | EUR 6,275 (approx. USD 7,400) |
| FIDE event code | 472566 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses an 11-round Swiss system. Each player gets 12 minutes plus a 3-second increment from move one. As a result, the games stay fast, but players still get enough time for real decisions and full fights.
Players may arrive up to 5 minutes late for a round. In addition, the tie-break order starts with direct encounter, then reduced Buchholz-1, reduced Buchholz-2, Buchholz, the higher number of games played with Black, and finally the greater number of wins.
💰 Prize Fund
The confirmed total prize fund for the rapid tournament is EUR 6,275 (approx. USD 7,400).
♟️ Sections / Groups
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Open | Single rapid section for the full festival field |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 10:00-10:45 | Registration and attendance check |
| May 23, 2026 | 11:00 | Rounds 1-4 |
| May 23, 2026 | 16:00 | Rounds 5-7 |
| May 23, 2026 | 20:30 | Festive reception at ASA Hotel |
| May 24, 2026 | 10:30 | Rounds 8-11 |
| May 24, 2026 | 14:30 | Closing ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration deadline | May 18, 2026 |
| Registration method | Advance registration with full payment |
| Entry fee | EUR 50 |
| Reduced fee | EUR 30 for IM/WIM, players born in 2008 or later, players born in 1961 or earlier, and Saaremaa residents |
| Title-holder concession | GM and WGM enter free |
| Late registration rule | Entries after May 18 are accepted only if places remain and the entry fee is doubled |
| Payment note | Full payment is required to confirm participation |
👤 Organizer
Treeningpartner / Pühajärve Chess Club organizes the festival together with Coop Saaremaa, the Culture and Sports Department of Saaremaa Municipality, the Estonian Chess Federation, and local partners. Therefore, the event has a strong local and national framework while keeping a friendly festival character.
Phone: +372 5158 656
Email: urmas.randma@hotmail.com
📍 Venue
Asa Spa Hotel, Pargi 12, 93810 Kuressaare, Estonia
The venue keeps the whole rapid tournament in one practical hotel setting near the center of Kuressaare. It also fits the festival format well, because the event includes both tournament play and an on-site evening reception for rapid participants.
🚗 How to Get There
Kuressaare Airport is about 3 km from the town center, so a short taxi ride is the simplest option if you fly in. However, many players also arrive via the mainland ferry route to Saaremaa and then continue by car or bus to Kuressaare.
It is a strong choice for players who want a serious rapid event in a distinctive Estonian island setting.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $7,400
Venue on the Map
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
