The SixDays Budapest November 2026 tournament will take place in Budapest, Hungary, from November 9–14, 2026. Organized by SixDays Chess, the event is designed for players seeking GM and IM norms as well as international rating gains through compact classical round-robin tournaments.
The official program includes GM, IM and U2250 Rating groups, normally built as 10-player round robins. Each player therefore plays nine classical games over six days, with three double-round days and a demanding schedule of morning and afternoon games. Chess-Results currently also notes that two GM groups are expected, so the final number and composition of norm groups may expand as registrations are completed.
All groups use a time control of 90 minutes for the game plus 30 seconds per move from move one. The U2250 Rating group offers a €300 prize fund, while the GM and IM tournaments are primarily structured around title-norm opportunities.
♟️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | November 9–14, 2026 |
| 🌍 Country | Hungary |
| 📍 Location | Budapest |
| 🏛️ Venue | Hungarian Chess Federation – Falk Miksa utca 10, 1055 Budapest, Hungary |
| 👤 Organizer | SixDays Chess |
| 🎯 Tournament Director | FM Miklós Halák |
| ⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA Tamás Gyömber |
| ♟️ Format | 10-player Round Robin groups |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE Standard |
| 👥 Groups | GM · IM · U2250 Rating |
| 💰 Published Prize Fund | €300 in U2250 – approximately $340 |
| 🌐 Official Website | https://sixdayschess.hu/ |
| 📅 Future Events | https://sixdayschess.hu/future-events/ |
| ♟️ Chess-Results – GM | https://chess-results.com/tnr1494953.aspx?lan=1 |
| ♟️ Chess-Results – IM | https://chess-results.com/tnr1494954.aspx?lan=1 |
| ♟️ Chess-Results – U2250 | https://chess-results.com/tnr1494955.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournaments are played as closed Round Robin events. The standard SixDays structure is a 10-player group, giving every participant nine games against all other players in the group.
The time control for all groups is:
90 minutes for the whole game + 30 seconds increment from move one.
The tournaments are submitted for international FIDE rating calculation.
The official waiting time is 30 minutes. Postponement of rounds is not permitted, which makes punctual arrival particularly important on the double-round days.
Because SixDays constructs norm groups according to participant ratings and titles, the final composition can continue changing during the registration period. Chess-Results currently indicates that two GM groups are expected, although the official tournament description still presents GM, IM and U2250 as the core program.
🏆 Prize Fund
The U2250 Rating tournament has a published cash prize fund of €300, approximately $340 at the current exchange rate.
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €150 |
| 2nd | €100 |
| 3rd | €50 |
The published tiebreak for the U2250 prize standings is Sonneborn-Berger.
No separate cash prize fund is currently announced for the GM or IM groups. Those tournaments are primarily organized around GM and IM norm opportunities rather than prize money.
👥 Sections / Groups
GM Tournament
The GM tournament is organized as a 10-player Round Robin designed to create GM norm opportunities when the final field satisfies the relevant FIDE requirements.
Published entry fees depend on the player’s FIDE rating:
| FIDE Rating | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| 2501+ | €200 |
| 2451–2500 | €300 |
| 2401–2450 | €350 |
| 2351–2400 | €450 |
| 2301–2350 | €550 |
| 2251–2300 | €650 |
Chess-Results currently notes that two GM groups are expected for the November edition. The organizer may therefore form more than one norm group depending on the final applicant pool.
IM Tournament
The IM tournament follows the same 10-player Round Robin model and is structured around IM norm opportunities.
| FIDE Rating | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| 2400+ | €125 |
| 2351–2400 | €175 |
| 2301–2350 | €200 |
| 2251–2300 | €250 |
| 2201–2250 | €350 |
| 2151–2200 | €450 |
| 2101–2150 | €550 |
Players rated below 2100 who want to enter the IM tournament should contact the organizer directly regarding availability and entry conditions.
U2250 Rating Tournament
The U2250 group is primarily intended for players rated 1800–2250 who want intensive FIDE-rated classical games and opportunities to gain rating points.
| FIDE Rating | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| 2150–2250 | €50 |
| 2000–2149 | €75 |
| 1900–1999 | €100 |
| 1800–1899 | €150 |
Limited places may also be available to players rated below 1800. Those players should contact the organizer directly for the applicable entry fee.
The U2250 group is also the only group with a currently published cash prize fund: €300 for the top three places.
📅 Schedule
All groups use the same published playing schedule.
| Date | Program |
|---|---|
| November 9 | 16:00 – Round 1 |
| November 10 | 10:00 – Round 2 · 16:00 – Round 3 |
| November 11 | 10:00 – Round 4 · 16:00 – Round 5 |
| November 12 | 16:00 – Round 6 |
| November 13 | 10:00 – Round 7 · 16:00 – Round 8 |
| November 14 | 10:00 – Round 9 |
The tournament therefore includes three double-round days: November 10, November 11 and November 13.
Players entering a norm group should plan recovery, meals and preparation carefully because the interval between the morning and afternoon rounds can be relatively short after a long classical game.
📝 Registration
Registration is handled directly by SixDays Chess.
Players should contact the organizer and provide their name, FIDE ID, federation, title, current rating and requested tournament group.
Email: info@sixdayschess.hu
Phone: +36 20 329 8335
Website: https://sixdayschess.hu/
The application deadline for the November tournament has not yet been announced. The organizer states that it will be published later on the official website.
Because the GM and IM groups depend on the correct rating and title composition for norms, acceptance is not simply a first-come registration process. Players should contact the organizer early, especially when seeking a place in a norm group.
Entry fees may be paid in cash before Round 1 unless another arrangement is agreed with the organizer.
Hungarian Chess Federation Fee
The organizer states that the Hungarian Chess Federation charges €20 per year to each player who competes in Hungary.
Players who have already played another Hungarian tournament during the same year should confirm with the organizer whether this annual fee has already been covered.
👤 Organizer
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Organizer Name | SixDays Chess |
| Contact Person | FM Miklós Halák |
| info@sixdayschess.hu | |
| Phone | +36 20 329 8335 |
Miklós Halák is a FIDE Master, chess organizer and founder of the SixDays Budapest tournament series, which runs repeated norm and rating tournaments in Budapest throughout the year.
📍 Venue
Hungarian Chess Federation – Falk Miksa utca 10, 1055 Budapest, Hungary.
The playing venue is in central Budapest, close to the Hungarian Parliament district and within easy reach of several major public-transport connections.
Its central location is particularly valuable during SixDays tournaments because several playing days contain two classical rounds. Players staying nearby can return to their accommodation between sessions rather than spending the break commuting across Budapest.
🏨 Accommodation
Accommodation is arranged independently by the players.
The organizer states that numerous hotels and apartments are available near the playing venue, with accommodation starting from approximately €40 per person per night, depending on availability and room type.
Two of the organizer’s recommended nearby options are:
| Hotel | Notes |
|---|---|
| T62 Hotel | Central Budapest hotel close to Nyugati railway station and convenient for the playing venue |
| NH Budapest City Hotel | Central hotel in the Újlipótváros area with practical access to Falk Miksa utca |
The organizer also lists Ikonik Parlament, Rose Corner and Marmara Hotel among its accommodation suggestions.
Since the event contains several double-round days, players may benefit from prioritizing walking distance or a short public-transport journey over a lower-priced hotel farther from the venue.
🚆 How to Get There
From Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport
Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD) is the principal international gateway to Budapest.
The most straightforward public-transport connection to central Budapest is the 100E Airport Express, which runs 24 hours a day between the airport and Deák Ferenc tér.
The journey to the city centre takes approximately 40 minutes under normal operating conditions.
From Deák Ferenc tér, players can continue by Budapest public transport toward the Parliament / Falk Miksa utca area. One practical option is the M2 metro toward Kossuth Lajos tér, followed by the final walk to the Hungarian Chess Federation.
Players can purchase public-transport tickets and plan live journeys through the BudapestGO application.
Airport Express Ticket
The regular 100E Airport Express ticket currently costs 2,500 HUF.
Players holding an eligible Budapest, Pest County or Hungary pass can use the reduced 1,000 HUF add-on Airport Express ticket through BudapestGO.
By Train
Players arriving by international or domestic rail may use one of Budapest’s major railway stations.
Budapest-Nyugati railway station is particularly convenient for the tournament area because it is located in the same central part of Pest as Falk Miksa utca.
Players arriving at Keleti or Déli can continue by Budapest Metro and then use a short walk or local connection to the venue.
Local Transport
The tournament hall is in a highly connected central district.
Useful nearby transport hubs include Kossuth Lajos tér, Jászai Mari tér and Nyugati pályaudvar. Budapest’s metro, tram and trolleybus networks provide frequent connections from other parts of the city.
For daily navigation, the official BudapestGO app is the most practical option because it provides journey planning and digital tickets.
By Taxi
Official airport taxis and city taxi services are also available.
A direct taxi can be useful for players arriving with substantial luggage, although Budapest’s airport bus and city public transport normally provide an economical alternative.
ℹ️ Other Information
Waiting Time: The official waiting time is 30 minutes. A player arriving later risks losing the game.
No Postponements: Scheduled rounds cannot be postponed, so players should avoid travel plans that depend on arriving shortly before a round.
Norm Groups: The GM and IM competitions are built around title-norm requirements. Consequently, final group composition depends on player titles, ratings and federation representation.
Current GM Structure: Chess-Results presently states that two GM groups are expected. This may change as the organizer finalizes the November fields.
U2250 Tiebreak: The published prize tiebreak is Sonneborn-Berger.
Payment: Entry fees may be paid in cash before the first round.
Application Deadline: The deadline is not yet published and will be announced by SixDays Chess.
Official Website:
https://sixdayschess.hu/
Future Events:
https://sixdayschess.hu/future-events/
GM Chess-Results:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1494953.aspx?lan=1
IM Chess-Results:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1494954.aspx?lan=1
U2250 Chess-Results:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1494955.aspx?lan=1
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $340
Organizer
♟️ About SixDays Chess
SixDays Chess is an international chess tournament organization based in Budapest, Hungary. It specializes in compact FIDE-rated classical tournaments for GM and IM norms, international rating development, and high-level competitive experience. The organization’s main project is the recurring SixDays Budapest series. Rather than operating as a conventional chess club or federation, SixDays Chess functions as a dedicated tournament organization for players seeking structured international competition in Budapest.
The standard SixDays Budapest program features GM, IM, and U2250 groups, normally organized as nine-round tournaments over only six days. In addition, SixDays Chess has expanded the concept with an Open Norm Swiss format. The organization constructs its fields around ratings, titles, federation representation, and FIDE requirements. Its official norm records list numerous GM, IM, and WIM norm performances, while participants come from Hungary and many other national federations.
FM Miklós Halák is the Founder and Tournament Director of SixDays Budapest and remains the principal contact for SixDays Chess. He manages player applications, tournament composition, scheduling, practical enquiries, and communication with international participants. SixDays Chess has a particularly active program in September 2026: the SixDays Budapest September 2026 Open Norm Edition is scheduled for September 14–19, followed immediately by the regular GM, IM, and U2250 edition from September 20–25. Another SixDays Budapest tournament is scheduled for November 9–14, 2026.
📜 Development of the SixDays Budapest Series
The SixDays Budapest concept was created to provide ambitious players with frequent opportunities for international classical chess while keeping the total tournament period relatively short. Its compact structure allows participants to complete nine rated games within approximately one week.
Over time, SixDays Chess developed a regular program of closed GM and IM norm tournaments together with rating groups for developing players. Budapest is particularly suitable for this format because it attracts a steady flow of Hungarian and international titled players.
The organization’s published norm records demonstrate the tournament series’ role in title development. Players listed by SixDays Chess as having achieved norms through its events include Harry Grieve, Akshay Borgaonkar, Artem Uskov, Tao Pang, Florian Kaczur, Srihari L R, Vantika Agrawal, Leonardo Costa, Moritz Weishaeutel, and numerous other international competitors.
🏆 GM, IM and U2250 Tournaments
The established SixDays Budapest format normally consists of 10-player round-robin groups. GM groups are assembled with the objective of creating appropriate conditions for Grandmaster norms, while IM groups are structured around International Master norm requirements.
The U2250 group provides FIDE-rated classical competition primarily for players rated between approximately 1800 and 2250. However, the organizer may accept a limited number of lower-rated participants. This creates a pathway for developing players who want international opposition and opportunities to improve their standard rating.
Games use a time control of 90 minutes for the entire game plus a 30-second increment from move one. The compact schedule usually includes several double-round days, allowing nine games to be completed within six days.
SixDays Chess also works with experienced international arbiters. For the September 2026 tournaments, IA Attila Kása is listed as Chief Arbiter, with IA Csaba Horváth serving as Deputy Arbiter.
🌍 International Player Development
A defining feature of SixDays Chess is its focus on players who are actively pursuing FIDE titles and rating progress. The organization therefore pays particular attention to the composition of each group.
Players applying for the tournaments provide their FIDE ID, federation, title, rating, and preferred tournament group. SixDays Chess can then construct fields that meet the sporting and regulatory requirements of the relevant competition.
The organization also helps international visitors with practical information about staying in Budapest. Players arrange their own accommodation, while SixDays Chess provides guidance on hotels and apartments close to the tournament area.
This structure makes the events particularly suitable for ambitious juniors, titled players seeking higher titles, and adults who want concentrated international classical competition without committing to a longer festival.
🌟 SixDays Budapest September 2026
SixDays Chess is introducing an important variation to its program with the SixDays Budapest September 2026 Open Norm Edition, scheduled for September 14–19, 2026.
Unlike the traditional closed round-robin norm groups, the principal section uses a nine-round Swiss system. The event is FIDE-rated and designed to provide opportunities for title performances in an open tournament environment. A separate U2250 tournament runs alongside it.
The Open Norm tournament has a guaranteed €2,000 prize fund when at least 40 players participate. First prize is guaranteed at €800 and increases to €1,000 with at least 50 players and €1,200 with at least 60 players.
Immediately afterward, SixDays Chess will organize its traditional tournament from September 20–25, 2026. The published program includes GM, IM, and U2250 competitions, with nine rounds in each tournament. Chess-Results currently lists two GM groups as expected, demonstrating the scale of demand for the September edition.
📅 Continuing 2026 Tournament Program
SixDays Chess already organized several events earlier in 2026, including tournaments in February, March, and July/August. The late-July edition included multiple GM and IM groups alongside the U2250 competition and attracted players from a wide range of federations.
After the two September events, the series continues with another SixDays Budapest tournament from November 9–14, 2026.
Therefore, SixDays Chess provides repeated opportunities throughout the year rather than relying on one annual festival. This frequent schedule is central to its tournament model and allows players to plan several attempts at rating gains or title norms within the same season.
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