SixDays Budapest September 2026 Open Norm Edition
The SixDays Budapest September 2026 Open Norm Edition will take place from September 14 to 19, 2026, at the Hungarian Chess Federation Tournament Hall in central Budapest, Hungary.
The tournament includes two FIDE-rated classical competitions: the Norm Swiss Open and a separate U2250 tournament. Both competitions feature nine rounds over six days and use a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one.
The Norm Swiss Open provides opportunities to achieve GM, IM, WGM, and WIM norms. The tournament program also offers a minimum combined prize fund of €2,300 / approximately $2,630 when the Norm Swiss Open reaches at least 40 players.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | September 14–19, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Budapest, Hungary |
| 🏛️ Venue | Hungarian Chess Federation Tournament Hall |
| 👥 Organizer | SixDays Chess |
| 👤 Tournament Director | FM Miklós Halák |
| ⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA Attila Kása |
| ⚖️ Deputy Chief Arbiter | IA Csaba Horváth |
| ♟️ Format | Two FIDE-rated classical tournaments |
| 📂 Sections | Norm Swiss Open and U2250 |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30-second increment per move |
| 🔄 Pairing System | Swiss System |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE standard rating |
| 👥 Playing Hall Capacity | Maximum 80 players |
| 💰 Minimum Prize Fund | €2,300 / approx. $2,630 |
| Chess-Results – Open | https://chess-results.com/tnr1451166.aspx?lan=1 |
| Chess-Results – U2250 | https://chess-results.com/tnr1451593.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Both sections are scheduled as nine-round Swiss-system tournaments.
Each player receives 90 minutes for the entire game, with a 30-second increment added after every move from move one.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Rounds | 9 |
| Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| Rating Calculation | FIDE standard rating |
| Default Time | 30 minutes |
| Pairing Program | Swiss-Manager |
| Postponed Games | Not permitted |
| Open Format | 9-round Swiss System |
| U2250 Format | Swiss System; round robin may be used with 10 or fewer players |
The Norm Swiss Open is structured for GM, IM, WGM, and WIM norm opportunities. At least eight grandmasters will participate in the norm field.
A norm remains subject to the player’s performance and all applicable FIDE title requirements.
🏆 Prize Fund
The minimum combined cash prize fund is €2,300 / approximately $2,630 when the Norm Swiss Open reaches at least 40 participants.
Norm Swiss Open
| Participation Level | Prize Information |
|---|---|
| 40 or more players | Minimum total prize fund of €2,000 |
| 40 or more players | 1st prize: €800 |
| 50 or more players | 1st prize increases to €1,000 |
| 60 or more players | 1st prize increases to €1,200 |
The organizer will publish the complete Norm Swiss Open prize structure before the tournament begins.
U2250 Tournament
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €150 |
| 2nd place | €100 |
| 3rd place | €50 |
| Total | €300 |
When players finish level on points, the applicable cash prizes will be divided equally between them.
♟️ Sections / Groups
The event consists of two separate competitions.
| Section | Eligibility and Format |
|---|---|
| Norm Swiss Open | Primarily for players rated 2200 or higher |
| U2250 | Players with FIDE ratings from 1800 to 2250 |
Norm Swiss Open
The Norm Swiss Open targets players rated 2200 or higher. The organizer may accept selected players below 2200 when their participation supports the tournament’s norm requirements.
The tournament will include at least eight grandmasters. The international field is also structured to meet the applicable foreign-player requirements for title norms.
U2250 Tournament
The U2250 section is designed for players rated between 1800 and 2250.
The organizer can initially confirm the first 16 applications. Additional places may become available depending on the size of the Norm Swiss Open.
If the U2250 section has 10 or fewer players, the organizer may replace the Swiss System with a round-robin format.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, September 14, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 5 |
| Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 6 |
| Friday, September 18, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| Friday, September 18, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 8 |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 9 |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | After the final game | Closing ceremony |
The closing ceremony will begin approximately 30 minutes after the final game has finished.
📝 Registration
Players must contact SixDays Chess directly to apply for either section.
Applicants should provide their full name, FIDE ID, federation, title, current FIDE rating, and preferred tournament section.
Registration Contact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| info@sixdayschess.hu | |
| Phone | +36 20 329 8335 |
| Tournament Director | FM Miklós Halák |
| Website | https://sixdayschess.hu/ |
Norm Swiss Open Entry Fees
| FIDE Rating / Title | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| GM | Free |
| 2500 or higher | €100 |
| 2400–2499 | €200 |
| 2350–2399 | €300 |
| 2300–2349 | €350 |
| 2250–2299 | €400 |
| 2200–2249 | €450 |
| Below 2200 | Contact the organizer |
International Masters who pay their entry fee in advance receive a 10% discount.
Norm Swiss Open players must pay €100 in advance by bank transfer. The remaining balance can be paid in cash before Round 1. The final fee will use the player’s September 2026 FIDE rating.
U2250 Entry Fees
| FIDE Rating | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| 2150–2250 | €50 |
| 2000–2149 | €75 |
| 1900–1999 | €100 |
| 1800–1899 | €150 |
| Below 1800 | Contact the organizer |
U2250 entry fees can be paid in cash before Round 1.
The Hungarian Chess Federation also charges an annual €20 federation fee to players who compete in Hungary.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
| Withdrawal Date | Refund |
|---|---|
| On or before July 31, 2026 | Full refund |
| August 1–31, 2026 | 50% refund |
| From September 1, 2026 | No refund |
👥 Organizer
SixDays Chess organizes the September 2026 Open Norm Edition.
FM Miklós Halák founded the SixDays Budapest tournament series and serves as Tournament Director. The series focuses on FIDE-rated classical chess, international title norms, and rating development.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | SixDays Chess |
| Tournament Director | FM Miklós Halák |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Attila Kása |
| Deputy Chief Arbiter | IA Csaba Horváth |
| info@sixdayschess.hu | |
| Phone | +36 20 329 8335 |
| Website | https://sixdayschess.hu/ |
Playing conditions are available for grandmasters. These arrangements may include shared accommodation and additional financial terms.
📍 Venue
Hungarian Chess Federation Tournament Hall – Falk Miksa utca 10, 1055 Budapest, Hungary.
The playing hall is located in central Budapest near the Hungarian Parliament and the Danube.
The venue has a maximum capacity of 80 players. Participants should arrive early enough to complete any outstanding registration or payment requirements before Round 1.
Players must arrange their own accommodation. Central Budapest offers a range of hotels and apartments close to the venue.
✈️ How to Get There
The venue is located in Budapest’s central District V.
International visitors can travel through Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport and continue to the city center by airport bus, taxi, private transfer, or rental car.
Budapest also has direct international and domestic railway services through its main stations. Local metro, tram, bus, and taxi services provide connections to the Falk Miksa utca area.
| Travel Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Main Airport | Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport |
| Main Destination | Falk Miksa utca 10, 1055 Budapest |
| Public Transport | Metro, tram, bus, and airport bus services |
| Railway Access | Connections through Budapest’s main railway stations |
| Recommended Arrival | Before the 16:00 start of Round 1 |
ℹ️ Other
The playing hall has a maximum capacity of 80 players.
The U2250 section can initially confirm 16 applications. More places may become available after the size of the Norm Swiss Open has been established.
Players cannot postpone scheduled rounds. The default time is 30 minutes after the announced start of each round.
Participants should complete all registration, payment, and federation requirements before the first round.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,630
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
SixDays Chess is an international chess tournament organization based in Budapest, Hungary. It runs the recurring SixDays Budapest tournament series, which focuses on FIDE-rated classical chess, international title norms, and rating development.
Hungarian FIDE Master Miklós Halák founded the series and serves as its chief organizer and tournament director. He coordinates player applications, tournament groups, schedules, accommodation enquiries, and communication with participants.
The first SixDays Budapest events took place in September 2022. Since then, the series has developed into a regular part of Budapest’s international chess program. Several editions now take place during the year and attract players from many national federations.
SixDays Chess holds its principal tournaments at the Hungarian Chess Federation’s tournament hall in central Budapest. The venue gives players access to a professional chess setting close to hotels, restaurants, public transport, and the city’s main attractions.
🏆 SixDays Budapest Tournaments
The standard SixDays Budapest program includes a GM tournament, an IM tournament, and a U2250 rating group. Each section usually contains ten players and uses a single round-robin format.
Participants play nine classical games over six days. The usual time control is 90 minutes for the entire game, with a 30-second increment from the first move. Moreover, the compact schedule allows international players to complete a full norm tournament within one week.
The GM and IM groups are structured to meet the applicable FIDE requirements for title norms. SixDays Chess selects the fields according to ratings, titles, federations, and the required tournament category.
The U2250 group primarily serves players rated between 1800 and 2250. However, the organizer may accept a limited number of lower-rated participants. This section offers players a chance to gain international rating experience against opponents of a similar level.
SixDays Chess has also introduced an open Swiss norm edition. This additional format gives participants another route toward strong international opposition and possible title performances.
The official SixDays records list many Grandmaster, International Master, and Woman International Master norm performances achieved during the series. Therefore, the tournaments have become an important option for ambitious juniors, titled players, and developing competitors.
🌍 International Player Development
SixDays Chess attracts participants from Europe, Asia, North America, and other regions. Many players travel to Budapest specifically to pursue title norms, improve their FIDE ratings, or gain experience in closed international tournaments.
The organization publishes participant lists and results through Chess-Results. In addition, selected games are broadcast online through major chess platforms. This allows coaches, families, and chess supporters to follow the tournaments remotely.
Miklós Halák remains directly involved throughout each event. He provides registration information, answers practical questions, helps players understand the entry conditions, and supports visitors who need advice about accommodation in Budapest.
The organizer also cooperates with Budapest’s wider network of norm-tournament providers. This connection can help international players combine several consecutive competitions during one trip to Hungary.
SixDays Chess emphasizes clear regulations, punctual rounds, fixed schedules, and serious playing conditions. As a result, the series provides a focused environment for players who want to pursue international titles and long-term rating progress.
Through frequent events and carefully structured playing groups, SixDays Chess continues to support the development of ambitious players from Hungary and abroad.
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