6th International Summer Chess Festival “Serbia Open 2026”
6th International Summer Chess Festival “Serbia Open 2026” will take place from July 13 – 22, 2026, in Belgrade, Serbia. This is a chess tournament festival in Belgrade, Serbia, in 2026.
The festival brings several international chess events to the Metropol Palace Hotel. Moreover, the program includes Masters, Challengers, Amateurs, Rating, Rapid, and Blitz tournaments.
In addition, the Masters event offers conditions for international title norms. Therefore, Serbia Open 2026 can suit titled players, ambitious competitors, club players, and visitors who want a full summer chess festival in Belgrade.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ♟️ Festival | 6th International Summer Chess Festival “Serbia Open 2026” |
| 📅 Dates | July 13 – 22, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Belgrade, Serbia |
| 🏛️ Venue | Metropol Palace Hotel |
| 🧑💼 Organizer | Chess Federation of Serbia |
| 🏆 Main Events | Masters, Challengers, Amateurs, and Rating Tournament |
| ⏱️ Masters Time Control | 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| ⏱️ Other Classical Time Control | 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| 💰 Prize Fund | €30,300 confirmed fixed cash prizes, approx. $35,650, plus qualifying blitz prizes from entry fees |
| 🔗 Chess-Results | https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1406609.aspx?lan=1&flag=30&turdet=YES&SNode=S0 |
| 🧮 Rating Calculation | FIDE standard rating for the classical tournaments |
| 📝 Registration Deadline | July 9, 2026 |
| 🏨 Accommodation | Official hotel booking available through the organizer |
| ✈️ Airport Transfer | €30 per vehicle for 1–3 persons |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Masters Tournament
The Masters tournament uses a classical time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game. In addition, each player receives a 30-second increment from move 1.
The Masters event has 9 rounds and uses the Swiss System. Moreover, it counts for FIDE standard rating and provides conditions for international title norms.
Challengers, Amateurs, and Rating Tournament
The Challengers, Amateurs, and Rating tournaments use 60 minutes per player, plus a 30-second increment from move 1.
Challengers and Amateurs each have 9 rounds. Meanwhile, the Rating tournament has 6 rounds.
Byes and Playing System
Players may request half-point byes in the first 6 rounds of the Masters, Challengers, and Amateurs tournaments. In the Rating tournament, players may request half-point byes in the first 4 rounds.
All main classical tournaments use the Swiss System. Therefore, every round can affect the final standings and prize positions.
💰 Prize Fund
Prize Fund Overview
The festival lists €30,300 in confirmed fixed cash prizes, approx. $35,650. In addition, the qualifying blitz tournaments use 100% of entry fees as prize funds.
The Masters tournament has the largest prize fund. However, Challengers, Amateurs, Rating, Rapid, and Blitz events also add prize opportunities during the festival.
| Event | Confirmed Fixed Prize Fund |
|---|---|
| Masters | €20,500 |
| Challengers | €3,000 |
| Amateurs | €1,000 |
| Rating Tournament | €2,000 |
| Final Blitz Tournament | €1,800 |
| Rapid Tournament | €2,000 |
| Total | €30,300 |
Masters Prizes
| Prize Category | Prizes |
|---|---|
| Regular prizes | 1st €5,000; 2nd €3,000; 3rd €2,000; 4th €1,500; 5th €1,200; 6th €900; 7th €750; 8th €600; 9th €500; 10th €400; 11th €300; 12th €250; 13th €200; 14th €200; 15th €200 |
| Women prizes | 1st €1,000; 2nd €750; 3rd €550; 4th €350; 5th €250 |
| Veterans prizes | 1st €250; 2nd €200; 3rd €150 |
Challengers Prizes
| Prize Category | Prizes |
|---|---|
| Regular prizes | €700; €500; €350; €250; €200; €150; €100; €80; €70; €60 |
| Rating up to 1900 | €120; €100; €50 |
| Women prizes | €120; €100; €50 |
Amateurs Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €250 |
| 2nd | €200 |
| 3rd | €150 |
| 4th | €100 |
| 5th | €80 |
| 6th | €70 |
| 7th | €60 |
| 8th | €50 |
| 9th | €40 |
Rating Tournament Prizes
| Prize Category | Prizes |
|---|---|
| Regular prizes | €500; €350; €250; €200; €150; €150; €100; €100 |
| Rating up to 1800 | €150; €100; €50 |
| Rating up to 2100 | €150; €100; €50 |
Rapid and Blitz Prizes
| Event | Prize Details |
|---|---|
| Rapid Tournament | €500; €400; €300; €200; €150; €120; €100; €80; €60; €40; €30; €20 |
| Final Blitz Tournament | 1st €500; 2nd €300; 3rd–6th €100; 7th–10th €75; 11th–16th €50 |
| Qualifying Blitz Tournaments | 100% of each tournament’s entry fees |
🏆 Sections / Groups
Masters
| Section | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Masters | Players with a minimum standard rating of 2000 |
| Women players | Organizer may accept up to 10 women players rated 1900 or higher |
| Format | 9-round Swiss System |
| Dates | July 13–22, 2026 |
The Masters tournament is the strongest festival section. Therefore, it suits titled players, norm seekers, and strong international competitors.
Challengers and Amateurs
| Section | Eligibility | Format | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Challengers | Players rated 1700–2300 | 9-round Swiss System | July 13–19, 2026 |
| Amateurs | Players rated 1800 or lower | 9-round Swiss System | July 13–19, 2026 |
The Challengers and Amateurs events give club players separate rating-based sections. As a result, players can choose a more suitable competition level.
Rating, Rapid, and Blitz Events
| Event | Eligibility / Format |
|---|---|
| Rating Tournament | Players rated 2300 or lower; 6-round Swiss System |
| Qualifying Blitz Tournaments | Six evening tournaments, 11 rounds each |
| Final Blitz Tournament | 32-player final with qualifiers and organizer invitations |
| Rapid Tournament | 9-round Swiss System |
In addition, the side events create more playing opportunities. Thus, participants can add rapid and blitz chess to the classical festival program.
📅 Schedule
Masters Tournament
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| July 13, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| July 14, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 2 |
| July 15, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| July 16, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 4 |
| July 17, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 5 |
| July 18, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 6 |
| July 20, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 7 |
| July 21, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 8 |
| July 22, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 9 |
Challengers and Amateurs
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| July 13, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| July 14, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| July 14, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| July 15, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 4 |
| July 16, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 5 |
| July 17, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 6 |
| July 17, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 7 |
| July 18, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 8 |
| July 19, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 9 |
Rating Tournament
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| July 19, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| July 20, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| July 20, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| July 21, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| July 21, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 5 |
| July 22, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 6 |
Rapid and Blitz Events
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| July 14, 2026 | 21:00 | Qualifying Blitz Tournament |
| July 15, 2026 | 21:00 | Qualifying Blitz Tournament |
| July 16, 2026 | 21:00 | Qualifying Blitz Tournament |
| July 17, 2026 | 21:00 | Qualifying Blitz Tournament |
| July 18, 2026 | 16:30 | Rapid Tournament |
| July 19, 2026 | 21:00 | Qualifying Blitz Tournament |
| July 20, 2026 | 21:00 | Qualifying Blitz Tournament |
| July 21, 2026 | 21:00 | Final Blitz Tournament |
📝 Registration
Registration Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration deadline | July 9, 2026 |
| Registration email | serbiaopen@serbiachess.org |
| Accommodation reservations | Through the organizer |
| Payment recipient | Chess Federation of Serbia |
| Bank | Banca Intesa AD |
| SWIFT / BIC | DBDBRSBG |
| IBAN | RS35160005080003775935 |
| Bank commissions | Paid by the sender |
Players should send applications and accommodation requests before July 9. Moreover, players who book accommodation through the organizer may receive lower entry fees in selected sections.
Masters Entry Fees
| Category | Accommodated Through Organizer | Not Accommodated Through Organizer |
|---|---|---|
| GM and WGM | €0 | €0 |
| IM and players rated 2450+ | €30 | €80 |
| Players rated 2200+ | €60 | €110 |
| Players rated 2100+ | €80 | €130 |
| Players rated 2000+ | €120 | €170 |
Other Entry Fees
| Event | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Challengers | €40 with organizer accommodation; €65 without organizer accommodation |
| Amateurs | €25 with organizer accommodation; €35 without organizer accommodation |
| Rating Tournament | €30 |
| Rapid Tournament | €15 |
| Qualifying Blitz Tournament | RSD 600 |
Early communication with the organizer is useful. In addition, players should confirm payment instructions before making a transfer.
🧑💼 Organizer
The Chess Federation of Serbia organizes Serbia Open 2026 under the patronage of the Ministry of Sports. As a result, the festival combines national federation organization with a large international chess program in Belgrade.
Moreover, the event offers several sections for different playing levels. The wide program also gives players classical chess, rapid chess, blitz chess, norm opportunities, and hotel-based tournament conditions.
Email: serbiaopen@serbiachess.org
Phone: +381 61 2070 856
📍 Venue
Playing Hall
Metropol Palace Hotel – Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 69, Belgrade, Serbia
Venue Notes
The festival takes place at the Metropol Palace Hotel in Belgrade. Therefore, players should use the hotel address when planning arrival, accommodation, and local transport.
The hotel venue also serves as the main accommodation option. As a result, players who stay there can reduce local travel during the tournament.
🏨 Accommodation
Official Hotel Options
The listed hotel prices do not include tourist tax. The tourist tax is paid directly at hotel reception and is listed as RSD 160, or about €1.35, per person per day.
| Hotel | Single Room | Double Room |
|---|---|---|
| Metropol Palace 5★ | €120 with breakfast | €65 per person per day with breakfast |
| Nobel Palace Hotel 4★ | €85 with breakfast | €49 per person per day with breakfast |
| Kod Vuka Hostel | €44 with breakfast | €29 per person per day with breakfast |
Accommodation Notes
Metropol Palace is the playing venue. In addition, the listed Metropol Palace price includes free high-speed internet and free use of the swimming pool, fitness center, and spa center.
Nobel Palace Hotel and Kod Vuka Hostel are about 600 meters from Metropol Palace. Therefore, both options can work for players who want to stay within walking distance of the venue.
Meals are available at Kod Vuka Hostel for €8 per meal. However, players should confirm final availability with the organizer before booking.
✈️ How to Get There
Travel to Belgrade
Belgrade is Serbia’s capital and has strong regional and international transport connections. Therefore, players can travel by air, train, bus, or car.
The organizer lists an airport transfer option from the airport to the hotel for €30 per vehicle for 1–3 persons. The same price applies for the return trip.
Local Planning
The Masters tournament runs until July 22, while Challengers and Amateurs end on July 19. Therefore, players should choose accommodation dates according to their selected event.
In addition, evening blitz events can extend the daily program. Players who plan to play blitz should keep their evenings free on the listed dates.
ℹ️ Other Information
Grandmaster Conditions
The organizer lists appearance fees for selected GM players, depending on rating. The same conditions apply to women players with IM or WGM titles with a 150-point rating reduction.
These places are limited. Therefore, eligible titled players should contact the organizer early.
Side Events
The Rapid Tournament takes place on July 18 at 16:30. It uses 9 rounds with a time control of 10 minutes + 5 seconds.
The qualifying blitz tournaments take place on six evenings at 21:00. Each uses 11 rounds with 3 minutes + 2 seconds per game.
The five best players from each qualifying blitz tournament advance to the final if they have not already qualified. In addition, the organizer invites two players to the final.
Payment and Travel Notes
Bank commission costs belong to the sender. Therefore, players should make sure the full entry fee reaches the Chess Federation of Serbia.
For special transport requests, players can ask the organizer for a separate offer. Finally, Serbia Open 2026 offers a broad summer chess festival with classical events, rapid chess, blitz chess, strong prizes, and a central Belgrade hotel venue.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $35,650
Organizer
♟️ About Chess Federation of Serbia
Chess Federation of Serbia (Šahovski savez Srbije – ŠSS) is the national governing body for chess in Serbia. Founded on September 19, 1948, the federation is headquartered in Belgrade and represents Serbian chess within FIDE and the European Chess Union. It coordinates national championships, team leagues, rating administration, national teams, youth and school chess, arbiter development, tournament organization, and Serbia’s participation in major international competitions.
The federation runs an extensive annual program for players of all ages and levels. Its principal events include the Serbian Individual Championships, the First League of Serbia, the Svetozar Gligorić Cup, youth championships, school competitions, senior events, rapid and blitz championships, and the international Serbia Open. Moreover, ŠSS has developed substantial experience in hosting major FIDE competitions in Serbia, particularly in Belgrade and Vrnjačka Banja.
Andrija Jorgić is the current President of the Chess Federation of Serbia. Delegates elected him to a new four-year mandate in March 2026. His program emphasizes youth development, chess in schools, stronger support for Serbia’s national teams, and attracting further European and World Championships to the country. During 2026, the federation also opened its new ŠSS Chess Academy, organized the sixth Serbia Open, hosted a major FIDE World youth event, and continued preparations for the FIDE World Senior Chess Championships 2026.
📜 History and Serbian Chess
Šahovski savez Srbije was established on September 19, 1948. In September 2026, the federation officially celebrated 78 years of continuous activity.
Serbia has a deep chess tradition associated with leading players, clubs, international tournaments, and generations of prominent grandmasters. One of its most celebrated historical figures is GM Svetozar Gligorić, whose name is now attached to the federation’s principal national cup competition.
Over the decades, the federation has developed the national competition structure while also supporting Serbia’s participation in international chess. More recently, it has increased its emphasis on hosting international FIDE events and strengthening development programs for younger players.
🏆 National and International Competition
The Chess Federation of Serbia organizes the country’s principal individual and team championships. In June 2026, the 20th Serbian Individual Chess Championship took place in Senta. GM Bojan Maksimović won his first national title with 6.5/9.
The federation also organizes the First League of Serbia for open and women’s teams, the Svetozar Gligorić Cup, national youth competitions, and other official championship events. The 2026 First League is scheduled for October 4–14 in Vrnjačka Banja.
Internationally, Serbia remains highly competitive. The open national team won the bronze medal at the 2025 European Team Chess Championship in Batumi after defeating Azerbaijan 3–1 in the final round.
As of September 2026, Serbia’s open and women’s national teams are competing at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The open squad includes Aleksej Sarana, Alexandr Predke, Aleksandar Inđić, Velimir Ivić, and Bojan Maksimović.
🎓 Youth, School Chess and the ŠSS Academy
Youth development is one of the federation’s principal priorities. ŠSS organizes national cadet and junior competitions, school championships, training camps, and international participation for Serbia’s strongest young players.
In August 2026, the federation formally opened the Chess Federation of Serbia Academy at its Belgrade headquarters. The initial group consists of 18 talented players aged 8–18, who receive systematic training from leading Serbian coaches.
GM Branko Damljanović was appointed Director of the Academy in July 2026. The program aims to create a structured development pathway for leading young prospects and prepare them for European and World youth championships.
In addition, the federation has continued programs designed to strengthen chess in schools. Youth and school chess also form a major part of Andrija Jorgić’s current four-year development program.
🌍 Major FIDE Events and Serbia Open
Serbia has become an increasingly active host of major international chess competitions. In April 2026, Vrnjačka Banja hosted the FIDE World Cadet and Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships.
Approximately 450 players from 40 national federations competed across U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18 categories. The competition included separate Open and Girls sections, as well as additional team and solving events.
The federation’s flagship international open is the Serbia Open. The sixth edition took place in Belgrade in July 2026 and attracted around 550 players representing 38 national federations. The festival brings together grandmasters, international players, club competitors, juniors, and developing Serbian talents.
Another major event is scheduled for later in the year. The FIDE World Senior Chess Championships 2026 will take place in Vrnjačka Banja from November 2–15. The championships will feature Open and Women’s sections in the 50+ and 65+ categories, with a total prize fund of €50,000.
🏛️ Organization and Leadership
Andrija Jorgić received unanimous delegate support for a new four-year presidential mandate at the federation’s electoral assembly on March 3, 2026.
Goran Vlajković serves as Vice President. Bojana Bejatović handles the federation’s central administrative work and is identified in the federation’s latest September 2026 communications as General Secretary.
The federation’s Belgrade office manages general correspondence, tournament administration, ratings, public relations, national-team matters, and other organizational functions. Therefore, Bojana Bejatović is the most useful principal contact for general organizer enquiries.
