XXIX. Pannónia Kupa 2026 will take place from July 29 to August 2, 2026, in Balatonalmádi, Hungary. This international FIDE-rated open chess tournament is held in memory of Fáncsy László (1943–2012).
The tournament uses a 7-round Swiss system and is played in two groups: A Group – Open and B Group – Under 2000 Elo. Both groups use the classical time control of 90 minutes per player plus 30 seconds increment per move.
The event offers published cash prizes of 304,000 HUF / approx. $1,011, together with category awards and youth medals. The tournament venue is the air-conditioned main hall of the Pannónia Kulturális Központ és Könyvtár in the center of Balatonalmádi.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | July 29 – August 2, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Balatonalmádi, Hungary |
| 🏛️ Venue | Pannónia Kulturális Központ és Könyvtár |
| ♟️ Format | 7-round Swiss system |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated |
| 🏁 Sections | A Group – Open, B Group – Under 2000 Elo |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| 🔢 Rounds | 7 |
| 💰 Published Cash Prizes | 304,000 HUF / approx. $1,011 |
| 👤 Organizer | Vörösberény Szabadidő Egyesület |
| 👥 Tournament Director | IM Fáncsy Imre |
| 🧑⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA Horváth Csaba |
| 🧾 Pairing Program | Swiss-Manager |
| 🌐 Official Website | https://www.sakk-pannonia.hu/ |
| 🧾 Chess-Results | https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1402199.aspx |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a 7-round Swiss system with computer pairings by Swiss-Manager.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| System | Swiss system |
| Rounds | 7 |
| Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| Rating Calculation | FIDE rating |
| Pairing Program | Swiss-Manager |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Horváth Csaba |
| Default Time | 30 minutes |
Players in both groups receive 90 minutes for the game, with a 30-second increment per move.
The default time is 30 minutes in both groups. Therefore, players should arrive before each round starts and be ready at the board.
Tie-Breaks
| Order | Tie-break |
|---|---|
| 1 | Buchholz Cut-1 |
| 2 | Buchholz |
| 3 | Sonneborn-Berger |
| 4 | Progressive score |
🏆 Prize Fund
The published cash prizes total 304,000 HUF / approx. $1,011.
Prizes are gross amounts. The organizer pays cash prizes after presentation of the required tax card.
Prizes are not shared. In addition, one player may receive only one cash prize.
A Group – Main Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | 80,000 HUF / approx. $266 |
| 2nd place | 50,000 HUF / approx. $166 |
| 3rd place | 30,000 HUF / approx. $100 |
| 4th place | 15,000 HUF / approx. $50 |
| 5th place | 12,000 HUF / approx. $40 |
| 6th place | 12,000 HUF / approx. $40 |
| 7th place | 10,000 HUF / approx. $33 |
| 8th place | 10,000 HUF / approx. $33 |
A Group – Special Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best player born after January 1, 2006 | 20,000 HUF / approx. $67 |
| Best female player | 10,000 HUF / approx. $33 |
| Best 60+ player | 10,000 HUF / approx. $33 |
| Best player from Veszprém County | Cup |
B Group Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | 20,000 HUF / approx. $67 |
| 2nd place | 15,000 HUF / approx. $50 |
| 3rd place | 10,000 HUF / approx. $33 |
Players under 18 receive medals and certificates for the first three places. The winner also receives a cup.
📂 Sections / Groups
The tournament has two classical FIDE-rated groups.
| Section | Eligibility | Time Control |
|---|---|---|
| A Group – Open | Open section | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment |
| B Group | Under 2000 Elo | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment |
Players need a valid competition license and a FIDE ID. Foreign players must also have a valid FIDE ID and proper HPL status.
The A Group gives stronger players an open FIDE-rated tournament field. Meanwhile, the B Group gives players under 2000 Elo a more balanced section within the same event.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| July 29, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Player arrival and reception |
| July 29, 2026 | 2:00 PM | On-site registration closes |
| July 29, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Round 1 |
| July 30, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Round 2 |
| July 30, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Round 3 |
| July 31, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Round 4 |
| July 31, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Round 5 |
| August 1, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Round 6 |
| August 2, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Round 7 |
| August 2, 2026 | After Round 7 | Prize ceremony |
The tournament starts on Wednesday, July 29, with player arrival and on-site registration before the first round.
Rounds 2 and 3 take place on Thursday, followed by Rounds 4 and 5 on Friday. The final two rounds are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
📝 Registration
The registration deadline is July 25, 2026.
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | July 25, 2026 |
| Registration Email | fancsyimre@gmail.com |
| Contact Person | IM Fáncsy Imre |
| Phone | +36 70 389 6049 |
| Address | 8220 Balatonalmádi, Gábor Áron u. 15 |
| On-Site Registration | July 29 until 2:00 PM |
| On-Site Late Fee | 2,000 HUF / approx. $7 |
Registration is accepted only after written confirmation from the organizer. In exceptional cases, the organizer may refuse an entry.
Entry Fees
| Section / Player Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| A Group, 0–2000 Elo | 13,000 HUF / approx. $43 |
| A Group, 2001–2400 Elo | 11,000 HUF / approx. $37 |
| A Group, GM / IM / above 2400 Elo | Free entry |
| B Group | 10,000 HUF / approx. $33 |
Players who register on site pay an additional 2,000 HUF / approx. $7.
👥 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Vörösberény Szabadidő Egyesület |
| Tournament Director | IM Fáncsy Imre |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Horváth Csaba |
| Patrons | Bercsényi László, Mayor of Balatonalmádi; Dr. Bakonyi Árpád |
| Supporters | Balatonalmádi City Municipality and Hunguest Hotel |
| fancsyimre@gmail.com | |
| Phone | +36 70 389 6049 |
| Website | https://www.sakk-pannonia.hu/ |
Vörösberény Szabadidő Egyesület organizes the XXIX. Pannónia Kupa 2026 in Balatonalmádi. The tournament continues a long-running chess tradition at Lake Balaton and commemorates Fáncsy László.
IM Fáncsy Imre serves as Tournament Director, while IA Horváth Csaba serves as Chief Arbiter. The event also receives support from Balatonalmádi City Municipality and Hunguest Hotel.
📍 Venue
Pannónia Kulturális Központ és Könyvtár – Városház tér 4, Balatonalmádi, Hungary.
The tournament takes place in the air-conditioned main hall of the Pannónia Cultural Center and Library.
The venue is located in the center of Balatonalmádi, close to local transport, restaurants, shops, and Lake Balaton.
🏨 Accommodation
The organizer can help players and accompanying persons with private accommodation.
| Accommodation Option | Information |
|---|---|
| Private accommodation through the organizer | 10,000–15,000 HUF + 790 HUF tourist tax per person per day |
| Hunguest Hotel | 4-star hotel, 2–3 minutes’ walk from the playing hall |
Players under 18 are exempt from the tourist tax.
Accommodation requests should be sent by July 8, 2026. The organizer has limited accommodation capacity, so early booking is recommended.
Players who book through the organizer by July 8 receive a 10% discount on accommodation and half-board prices.
🍽️ Meals and Local Facilities
Players arrange meals individually.
There are several restaurants within a few minutes’ walk of the playing venue. A Penny supermarket is located opposite the venue.
Balatonalmádi city center also offers practical access to the bus station, railway station, restaurants, the beach, and local leisure options.
🚆 How to Get There
| Travel Option | Information |
|---|---|
| By Train | Travel to Balatonalmádi railway station |
| By Bus | Balatonalmádi bus station is in the town center |
| By Car | Use Pannónia Kulturális Központ és Könyvtár, Városház tér 4, Balatonalmádi |
| Nearby Region | Lake Balaton |
Balatonalmádi is located on the northern shore of Lake Balaton.
Players arriving by train or bus can use Balatonalmádi’s central transport connections and continue locally to the venue.
Players arriving by car should use the full venue address:
Pannónia Kulturális Központ és Könyvtár – Városház tér 4, Balatonalmádi, Hungary.
ℹ️ Other Information
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Type | International open FIDE chess tournament |
| Memorial | In memory of Fáncsy László |
| Side Event | Blitz tournament during the main event |
| Blitz Entry Fee | 2,500 HUF / approx. $8 |
| Blitz Prize Rule | 80% of entry fees paid out |
| Live Games | A Group first 15 boards planned for publication |
| Results | https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1402199.aspx?lan=1 |
| Game Publication | Games from A Group first 15 boards planned for publication |
| Rules | Current FIDE rules apply |
A blitz tournament will also take place during the event. Players who are not playing in the main tournament may also enter the blitz tournament.
The organizer plans to publish pairings, standings, photos, and games from the first 15 boards of the A Group on Chess-Results.
Join the XXIX. Pannónia Kupa 2026 in Balatonalmádi and play a FIDE-rated classical chess tournament on the northern shore of Lake Balaton.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $1,011
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Vörösberény Szabadidő Egyesület is a chess-focused leisure association based in Balatonalmádi, Hungary. Founded in 1997, the association’s main activity is the organization and running of chess tournaments. Its best-known event is the Pannónia Kupa Nemzetközi Sakkverseny, an international chess tournament held in Balatonalmádi.
The association has developed a strong local and regional chess presence through regular tournament activity. The Pannónia Cup is organized in two groups, giving both stronger competitive players and amateur players the opportunity to participate in a structured chess event. According to the official Balatonalmádi city profile, the tournament has attracted players from different countries and has usually welcomed around 100–150 participants.
Vörösberény Szabadidő Egyesület also supports youth chess through the Marton Gábor youth chess tournament. This event provides playing opportunities for young players and is connected with the association’s wider role in developing chess activity around Balatonalmádi. Through its open and youth events, the association contributes to both competitive chess and community-based chess development in Hungary.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
The association is connected with the long-running Pannónia Cup in Balatonalmádi. The XXIX. PANNÓNIA KUPA 2026 is scheduled for July 29 to August 2, 2026, at Pannónia Kulturális Központ és Könyvtár, Balatonalmádi, Városház tér 4. The tournament is organized as a 7-round Swiss-system event with FIDE rating calculation.
The event includes two groups: an Open group and a B group for players rated under 2000. The published time control for both groups is 90 minutes per player plus a 30-second increment per move. The tournament director is IM Fáncsy Imre, and the chief arbiter is IA Horváth Csaba.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Vörösberény Szabadidő Egyesület organizes chess events in Balatonalmádi, a town on the northern shore of Lake Balaton. The Pannónia Cup combines competitive over-the-board chess with a practical tournament setting, as the venue is located in the center of Balatonalmádi, close to local transport, restaurants, and visitor facilities.
The association’s activity is not limited to adult competition. By also organizing youth chess events such as the Marton Gábor tournament, Vörösberény Szabadidő Egyesület helps create opportunities for younger players and supports the continuity of chess life in the region. Its work brings together club players, juniors, amateur players, and international participants in a consistent tournament environment.
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