♟️ About the Organizer

Zagrebački šahovski savez, or the Zagreb Chess Association, is the umbrella organization for chess clubs operating in Zagreb, Croatia. It works to promote chess, coordinate city competitions, support affiliated clubs, and develop players at different ages and competitive levels.

The association operates within the structure of the Croatian Chess Federation. It connects Zagreb’s clubs with city, national, and international competitions while also maintaining a regular calendar of tournaments at its headquarters and other venues across the Croatian capital.

Andrija Fiamengo serves as President of the association. Krešimir Podravec serves as Secretary and handles many administrative and tournament-related enquiries. The association is governed through its assembly and management board, which oversee competitions, finances, club cooperation, and development programs.

Its headquarters on Masarykova Street provide a central venue for tournaments, meetings, and regular chess activities. The association also cooperates with schools, sports institutions, tournament venues, arbiters, and the Sports Association of the City of Zagreb.

🏆 Zagreb Open and City Competitions

One of the association’s principal international events is the Zagreb Open – Krunoslav Hulak Memorial. The competition honors Croatian Grandmaster Krunoslav Hulak and attracts titled players, experienced club competitors, juniors, and international participants.

The Zagreb Open 2026 – VIII Krunoslav Hulak Memorial takes place from September 20 to 27, 2026. The tournament is held in the Globus Congress Hall at Zagreb Fair and consists of nine classical Swiss-system rounds.

The association provides the playing equipment and manages registrations, scheduling, regulations, and prize distribution. The tournament offers general cash prizes together with reduced entry fees for women, juniors, and senior players. Grandmasters and international masters may enter without paying the standard fee.

Zagrebački šahovski savez also organizes the City of Zagreb Individual Championships. Separate competitions serve cadets, juniors, senior players, veterans, and other age groups. These championships give players the opportunity to earn city titles and progress toward national-level competition.

The City of Zagreb Cup provides formal team competition for affiliated clubs. The leading team earns access to the final stage of the Croatian Cup under the applicable qualification rules.

Other recurring events include the New Year Tournament – Mijo Udovčić Memorial, regular Tuesday blitz tournaments, Easter competitions, student tournaments, and various rapid and classical events. Many of these competitions count toward Croatian or FIDE ratings.

🌱 Youth Chess and Development

Youth development forms an important part of the association’s work. Zagrebački šahovski savez organizes city championships for boys and girls in several age categories, including competitions for younger cadets and older junior players.

The association works with affiliated clubs and Zagreb schools to give children access to instruction and formal competition. Young players can begin with local activities before progressing to city championships, Croatian youth events, team leagues, and international tournaments.

Its city championships use age-based sections so that children compete against players at a similar stage of development. The association provides tournament equipment, qualified officials, published pairings, and clear participation rules.

The association also coordinates Zagreb’s wider club structure. Its affiliated organizations range from leading national-league teams to smaller community clubs. Therefore, players can find training and competition suited to different ratings, ages, and ambitions.

Major events such as the Zagreb Open and the historic Tournament of Peace also connect local players with strong international competitors. At the same time, regular tournaments at the Masarykova headquarters ensure that club players have frequent access to over-the-board chess.

Through city championships, international tournaments, club coordination, and youth activities, Zagrebački šahovski savez continues to support the development of chess throughout Zagreb.