The Harghita Cup 2026 – 2nd Edition will take place on 13 September 2026 at Casa Jakab Antal in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania. The event offers a one-day rapid chess format with seven rounds, FIDE and Romanian Chess Federation reporting, and a guaranteed cash prize fund.

This is a chess tournament in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania, in 2026. The competition uses the Swiss system and welcomes licensed players who have completed their 2026 federation registration requirements.

Moreover, the tournament gives players a compact and practical Sunday schedule. Registration closes before the event day, so participants should confirm their place early and complete payment after organizer approval.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses a rapid time control of 15 minutes per player plus 3 seconds increment per move. The increment starts from move one, which gives players a small but important reserve during sharp positions and technical endgames.

The event follows a 7-round Swiss system. Therefore, players can expect a full competitive rapid schedule in one day. The tie-break criteria are number of wins, Buchholz, and FIDE Elo performance.

🏆 Prize Fund

Prize Fund Overview

The confirmed total prize fund is 5,000 RON, approximately US$1,125.

The prizes are guaranteed, net, and non-cumulative. In addition, prizes above 600 RON are taxable under the tournament rules. Winners must present an identity card or passport, and all cash prizes will be paid by bank transfer within five days after the tournament.

👥 Sections / Groups

The Harghita Cup 2026 has one open rapid tournament. All eligible players compete in the same Swiss-system field.

However, the prize structure also includes rating-based categories. As a result, players from different rating groups can compete for relevant awards while still playing in the same open event.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

Players must register before the deadline, because the organizers will not accept registrations or payments on the tournament day. In addition, the player list is limited to 80 participants, so early confirmation is recommended.

🏛️ Organizer

ACS Harghita Chess Club organizes the Harghita Cup 2026 – 2nd Edition in Miercurea Ciuc. The club provides a structured rapid tournament with clear rules, guaranteed prizes, and official rating reporting.

Phone: +40 749 289 193

📍 Venue

Casa Jakab Antal
Strada Szék 147, Miercurea Ciuc, Harghita County, Romania

The playing venue hosts the full one-day rapid schedule, including the technical meeting, all seven rounds, the award ceremony, and lunch. Since the timetable starts in the morning, players should arrive early and allow enough time for check-in and preparation.

🧭 How to Get There

Players can use the venue address, Casa Jakab Antal, Strada Szék 147, Miercurea Ciuc, for navigation. The location is in Harghita County, and participants arriving from outside the city should plan their trip with enough time before the 9:45 a.m. technical meeting.

The Harghita Cup 2026 offers a clear rapid format, guaranteed prizes, and a practical one-day schedule for competitive chess players.