The Pafos Chess Boost Camp 2026 will take place from August 24 to 28, 2026, in Pafos, Cyprus. The camp offers an intensive international training program for ambitious chess players in a Mediterranean setting.

The event is organized by the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo and Pafos Chess Club, together with Marina Cherkasova Chess Academy, White King, and Pawn Stars Academy.

Participants will receive more than 30 hours of chess training with an international coaching team. The program includes opening preparation, middlegame strategy, tactical calculation, endgame technique, training games, analysis, and tournament preparation.

The chess week continues with the Cyprus Rapid Chess Championship on August 29 and the Cyprus Blitz Chess Championship on August 30. These events give participants the opportunity to apply their training immediately in competitive play.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Training Program

The camp is designed as an intensive five-day chess training program.

Participants will work on practical tournament skills, strategic understanding, calculation, and individual improvement. The training combines lectures, workshops, practice games, and analysis.

👨‍🏫 Coaching Team

The camp brings together grandmasters, titled players, and experienced chess educators.

GM Victor Bologan will train participants on August 26 and 27, 2026. He will work mainly with Group A and will also deliver lectures and training sessions for Groups B and C.

GM Vladimir Hamitevici will lead Group A and will also deliver selected sessions for Groups B and C.

WGM Andreea Navrotescu will lead Group B and will also deliver selected sessions for Groups A and C.

FM Konstantinos Markidis will work mainly with Groups B and C.

NI Konstantinos Konstantinides will lead Group C.

🏆 Prize Fund / Competition Opportunities

The Pafos Chess Boost Camp is a training camp, not a prize-fund tournament.

However, participants can continue the chess week with two separate competitive events:

Participation in the Cyprus Rapid and Blitz Championships is optional.

Fees for the Cyprus Rapid and Blitz Championships are paid separately to the Cyprus Chess Federation.

♟️ Sections / Groups

Participants will be divided into three groups according to playing strength.

Group A – Advanced Players

Group A is designed for ambitious and highly motivated players, including titled players. The training focuses on advanced preparation, deep strategic concepts, and high-level analytical work.

During workshop sessions, Group A participants may be divided into smaller groups, with one grandmaster assigned to up to six participants.

Group B – Intermediate Players

Group B focuses on strengthening positional understanding, strategic play, calculation, and preparation for stronger national and international competition.

Group C – Developing Players

Group C is designed for young talents who want to build a solid chess foundation, improve tactical awareness, and accelerate their development.

Group Selection Policy

The rating ranges are recommendations. Players may apply for a higher group if they want a more challenging training environment.

The organizers may make final adjustments to group composition to ensure the best learning experience for all participants.

📅 Schedule

The main training camp runs from Monday, August 24 to Friday, August 28, 2026.

The detailed daily timetable should be confirmed with the organizer before travel.

📝 Registration

Players should complete the official registration form and select the appropriate training group.

Required Information

The registration form asks for:

• Full name
• Nationality
• Chess title, if applicable
• FIDE ID
• Date of birth
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Deposit date
• Training group
• Chess club
• Message or comment, if needed

Participation Fees

Participants who register and pay the deposit by July 15, 2026 receive a 10% Early Bird Discount.

Deposit and Final Payment

A non-refundable deposit of 30% is required upon registration to reserve a place.

The remaining 70% must be paid by August 17, 2026.

Bank Transfer Details

Participants should include the participant’s name in the payment reference.

All bank transfer fees must be paid by the participant.

🏛️ Organizer

The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo and Pafos Chess Club organize the Pafos Chess Boost Camp 2026.

The camp is organized together with Marina Cherkasova Chess Academy, White King, and Pawn Stars Academy.

📍 Venue

American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo – Apostolou Pavlou Ave 51, Paphos 8046, Cyprus.

The training camp will be held at the facilities of the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo in Pafos.

The optional Cyprus Rapid and Blitz Championships will be held at Attikon in Pafos.

✈️ How to Get There

Pafos Chess Boost Camp takes place at the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo in central Pafos. The nearest airport is Paphos International Airport.

Arrival Advice

Participants should arrive early enough to attend the first training day on August 24, 2026.

Players who also plan to participate in the Cyprus Rapid and Blitz Championships should stay in Pafos through August 30, 2026.

ℹ️ Other Information

Optional Rapid and Blitz Events

The Cyprus Rapid Championship will be held on August 29, 2026.

The Cyprus Blitz Championship will be held on August 30, 2026.

Both events are separate from the training camp, and participation fees are paid directly to the Cyprus Chess Federation.

Limited Group Capacity

Each training group is limited to 12 participants.

Players should register early because group places are limited.

Early Bird Discount

A 10% Early Bird Discount applies to participants who register and pay the deposit by July 15, 2026.

Payment Conditions

The 30% deposit is non-refundable.

The remaining 70% must be paid by August 17, 2026.

Participants must cover all bank transfer fees.

Group Adjustments

The organizers may adjust group composition to ensure suitable training levels and the best learning experience for participants.

Training Language

The official announcement does not specify a single training language. Participants should confirm language details with the organizer before registering.