I. Međugorje Open 2026 – Standard will take place from September 13 to 19, 2026, in Međugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The international tournament is organized by Šahovski klub “Brotnjo” Čitluk.
The tournament uses a 9-round Swiss system with a classical time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move from move one. In addition, the event is registered for FIDE rating and title-norm opportunities.
The total prize fund is 15,650 KM / approx. $9,171. The organizer also plans live transmission of games from the first 30 boards, which gives the event additional visibility for players and spectators.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | September 13–19, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Međugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 🏛️ Venue | Congress Hall “Sport Centar CIRCLE” |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss system |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated |
| 🏁 Sections | One open standard tournament |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move from move one |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| 💰 Prize Fund | 15,650 KM / approx. $9,171 |
| 👤 Organizer | Šahovski klub “Brotnjo” Čitluk |
| 👥 Tournament Director | Ivan Pehar |
| 🧑⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA Mirza Miralem |
| 🧾 Pairing Program | Swiss-Manager |
| 🧾 Chess-Results | https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1427009.aspx |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a 9-round Swiss system. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game, with a 30-second increment per move from move one.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| System | Swiss system |
| Rounds | 9 |
| Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| Rating Calculation | FIDE rating |
| Pairing Program | Swiss-Manager |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Mirza Miralem |
| Live Games | First 30 boards |
Players from Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad may participate. However, foreign players must have a FIDE ID.
The organizer will provide live transmission from the first 30 boards. Therefore, top-board games should be available for online following during the tournament.
🏆 Prize Fund
The total prize fund is 15,650 KM / approx. $9,171.
Prizes are not cumulative. As a result, a player who qualifies for more than one prize will receive only one prize.
Main Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | 2,700 KM / approx. $1,582 |
| 2nd place | 2,000 KM / approx. $1,172 |
| 3rd place | 1,600 KM / approx. $938 |
| 4th place | 1,100 KM / approx. $645 |
| 5th place | 800 KM / approx. $469 |
| 6th place | 600 KM / approx. $352 |
| 7th place | 500 KM / approx. $293 |
| 8th place | 450 KM / approx. $264 |
| 9th place | 400 KM / approx. $234 |
| 10th place | 300 KM / approx. $176 |
Special Prizes
| Category | 1st Prize | 2nd Prize | 3rd Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best junior U19 | 400 KM / approx. $234 | 300 KM / approx. $176 | 200 KM / approx. $117 |
| Best cadet U16 | 300 KM / approx. $176 | 200 KM / approx. $117 | 100 KM / approx. $59 |
| Best female player | 400 KM / approx. $234 | 300 KM / approx. $176 | 200 KM / approx. $117 |
| Elo under 1800 | 250 KM / approx. $146 | 150 KM / approx. $88 | — |
| Elo 1801–2000 | 300 KM / approx. $176 | 200 KM / approx. $117 | — |
| Elo 2001–2200 | 300 KM / approx. $176 | 200 KM / approx. $117 | — |
| Best 70+ player | 300 KM / approx. $176 | 200 KM / approx. $117 | 100 KM / approx. $59 |
| Best ŠK “Brotnjo” player | 200 KM / approx. $117 | 100 KM / approx. $59 | — |
| Best ŠK “Brotnjo” U16 player | 150 KM / approx. $88 | 100 KM / approx. $59 | — |
| Best ŠK “Brotnjo” 70+ player | 150 KM / approx. $88 | 100 KM / approx. $59 | — |
Domestic players receive prizes by bank transfer. Foreign players receive prizes in cash.
📂 Sections / Groups
The tournament has one open standard section.
| Section | Information |
|---|---|
| Main Tournament | Open standard tournament |
| Format | 9-round Swiss system |
| Rating | FIDE-rated |
| Foreign Player Requirement | FIDE ID required |
| Live Boards | First 30 boards |
The open format makes the tournament suitable for titled players, club players, junior players, cadets, veterans, and local players from ŠK “Brotnjo.”
In addition, rating-category prizes give players from different strength groups a clear competitive target.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | Until 3:00 PM | Final registration |
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 4:30 PM | Opening ceremony |
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Round 1 |
| Monday, September 14, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Round 2 |
| Monday, September 14, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Round 4 |
| Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Round 5 |
| Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Round 6 |
| Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Round 7 |
| Friday, September 18, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Round 8 |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Round 9 |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 30 minutes after Round 9 | Prize-giving and closing ceremony |
The tournament starts on Sunday, September 13, with final registration, the opening ceremony, and Round 1.
Monday and Thursday include double-round days. Meanwhile, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday each have one afternoon round.
The final round takes place on Saturday, September 19, at 10:00 AM. The prize-giving and closing ceremony follow about 30 minutes after the last round ends.
📝 Registration
Players should send entries by email or message to the Chief Arbiter.
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Chief Arbiter | IA Mirza Miralem |
| Phone | +387 61 232 842 |
| mirza.miralem@hotmail.com | |
| Tournament Director | Ivan Pehar |
| Phone | +387 63 360 656 |
| ipehar56@gmail.com | |
| Final Registration | September 13, 2026, until 3:00 PM |
| Player Limit | Limited number of players |
| Required Document | ID card, passport, or similar document |
Players should bring a valid identification document for registration.
Entry Fees
| Player Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard entry fee | 100 KM / approx. $59 |
| Cadets U16 | 60 KM / approx. $35 |
| GM and WGM players | Free entry |
Payment Details
| Bank Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Account Holder | ŠK “Brotnjo” |
| Account Number | 3060020000668784 |
| Bank | Addiko Bank |
👥 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Šahovski klub “Brotnjo” Čitluk |
| Patron | Herzegovina-Neretva Canton / County Government and Assembly |
| Tournament Director | Ivan Pehar |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Mirza Miralem |
| Federation | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Chess-Results | https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1427009.aspx |
Šahovski klub “Brotnjo” Čitluk organizes the I. Međugorje Open 2026 – Standard in Međugorje.
The tournament gives players a full FIDE-rated classical event with a substantial prize fund, live board transmission, and special prizes across several categories.
In addition, the event receives patronage from the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton / County Government and Assembly, which supports the tournament’s wider regional role.
📍 Venue
Congress Hall “Sport Centar CIRCLE” – Međugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The tournament takes place in the Congress Hall of Sport Centar CIRCLE in Međugorje.
Players should use the venue name when planning their route to the playing hall.
🏨 Accommodation
The official accommodation option listed by the organizer is Hotel Grande Casa.
| Accommodation Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Hotel | Hotel Grande Casa |
| Room Types | Single, double, triple rooms, and bungalows |
| Bungalow Capacity | Up to 5 persons |
| Booking Link | https://www.booking.com/hotel/ba/grande-casa.hr.html |
| Hotel Email | grande.casa@sport-centar.com |
| Official Hotel Stay | Not mandatory |
Players and accompanying persons may stay at the official hotel or choose other accommodation.
Guests staying at the official accommodation may use the fitness facilities and outdoor pools. In addition, the organizer plans a special pool price for other tournament participants.
🚆 How to Get There
| Travel Option | Information |
|---|---|
| By Car | Use Sport Centar CIRCLE, Međugorje |
| Nearby City | Čitluk |
| Nearby Regional Center | Mostar |
| Local Transport | Taxi, private transfer, and local road transport options operate in the region |
Međugorje is located in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Players arriving from abroad can travel through regional transport connections and continue to Međugorje by road.
For navigation, use:
Congress Hall “Sport Centar CIRCLE” – Međugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ℹ️ Other Information
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Type | International standard chess tournament |
| Rating | FIDE-rated |
| Norm Opportunities | Registered for title norms |
| Live Broadcast | First 30 boards |
| Player Obligation | Bring a working digital chess clock |
| Half-Point Bye | One bye may be requested in the first three rounds |
| Arbiters’ Seminar | Planned during the tournament |
| Seminar Organizer | Chess Federation “Herceg-Bosna” |
| Technical Seminar Organizer | ŠK “Brotnjo” |
A player may request one half-point bye in the first three rounds. The player receives 0.5 points for the approved bye.
Each player must bring a working digital chess clock.
The organizer also plans an arbiters’ seminar during the tournament. The Chess Federation “Herceg-Bosna” organizes the seminar, while ŠK “Brotnjo” serves as the technical organizer.
Join the I. Međugorje Open 2026 – Standard and play a 9-round FIDE-rated classical chess tournament in Međugorje with a prize fund of 15,650 KM / approx. $9,171.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $9,171
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Šahovski klub “Brotnjo” Čitluk is a chess club based in Čitluk, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club was founded in 2008 and operates as a local chess organization connected with tournament chess, youth development, and chess activity in the Brotnjo region.
The club organizes and supports chess events in Čitluk and Međugorje. Its activity includes youth tournaments, open tournaments, rapid events, standard chess competitions, and chess education programs. ŠK Brotnjo also appears on the official Šahovski savez Herceg-Bosne list of registered clubs, with registered players for the 2026 season.
Šahovski klub “Brotnjo” Čitluk has a strong focus on young players. Its tournaments and chess activities give cadets, juniors, and club players opportunities to compete, learn, and gain official tournament experience. Through regular events and cooperation with local institutions, the club supports the growth of chess in Čitluk and the wider Herzegovina chess community.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
The club is connected with several confirmed chess events, including Brotnjo Open and Međugorje Open. Brotnjo Open 2026 was organized by Šahovski klub Brotnjo from Čitluk together with Sveučilište “Hercegovina”. The event gathered young players from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Ukraine.
The club is also the organizer of I. Međugorje Open 2026, an international standard chess tournament scheduled for September 13–19, 2026, in Međugorje. The event is listed on Chess-Results as a 9-round Swiss-system tournament with FIDE international rating calculation. The published time control is 90 minutes per player plus a 30-second increment from move one.
The I. Međugorje Open 2026 regulations list a total prize fund of 15,650 KM. The tournament venue is the congress hall of Sport Centar CIRCLE in Međugorje. The regulations also state that the organizer provides live transmission from the first 30 boards.
🌍 Player Development and Community
Šahovski klub “Brotnjo” Čitluk supports both competitive chess and community chess development. Its youth events help young players gain experience in a structured tournament environment. The club also organizes educational activities, including chess instruction and simultaneous exhibitions connected with youth tournament programs.
The club’s activity creates a practical chess pathway for players in Čitluk, Međugorje, and nearby areas. Young players can join club activity, take part in youth events, and continue toward stronger regional and international tournaments. Adult and experienced players also receive opportunities through open tournaments and rated competitions.
By organizing events such as Brotnjo Open and Međugorje Open, ŠK Brotnjo contributes to the visibility of chess in Herzegovina. The club brings together local players, guests from other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and international participants in a regular over-the-board chess environment.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
