📅 Tournament Dates: May 24 – June 1, 2025

Join chess enthusiasts from around the globe at the 44th Zalakaros Chess Festival – Bárczay László Memorial, taking place from May 24 to June 1, 2025, in the picturesque town of Zalakaros, Hungary. This esteemed event offers both amateur and professional players the opportunity to compete in a high-caliber tournament.​

📍 Venue: Zalakaros Visitor Center

The tournament will be hosted at the Zalakaros Visitor Center, located at 16 Szőlő Street, 8749 Zalakaros, Hungary. This venue provides a comfortable and accessible environment for all participants.​

🏆 Tournament Format & Schedule

• Format: 9-round Swiss system, adhering to FIDE rules.
• Time Control: 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second increment per move from move one.
• Default Time: 30 minutes.
• Round Start Times:

  • Rounds 1–8: 15:00 CEST (3:00 PM)
  • Round 9: 10:00 CEST (10:00 AM)

• Opening Ceremony: May 24, 2025, at 14:00 CEST (2:00 PM).​

💰 Prize Fund

The tournament boasts a substantial prize fund, totaling over 1,000,000 HUF, distributed as follows:​

• Overall Prizes:

  • 1st Place: 400,000 HUF
  • 2nd Place: 300,000 HUF
  • 3rd Place: 200,000 HUF
  • 4th Place: 150,000 HUF
  • 5th Place: 100,000 HUF
  • 6th–10th Places: 50,000 HUF each
  • 11th–15th Places: 25,000 HUF each

• Special Prizes:

  • Best Senior (60+ years):

    • 1st: 30,000 HUF
    • 2nd: 20,000 HUF
    • 3rd: 10,000 HUF

  • Best Junior (under 18 years):

    • 1st: 30,000 HUF
    • 2nd: 20,000 HUF
    • 3rd: 10,000 HUF

  • Best Woman:

    • 1st: 30,000 HUF
    • 2nd: 20,000 HUF
    • 3rd: 10,000 HUF

Note: In case of ties, prizes will be shared equally among the players.​

💵 Entry Fees

• Players with ELO above 2450: Free entry.
• ELO 2301–2449: 8,000 HUF
• ELO 2001–2300: 10,000 HUF
• ELO below 2000: 15,000 HUF
• On-site Entry: Additional 1,000 HUF​

Note: Grandmasters (GM) and Woman Grandmasters (WGM) are exempt from entry fees.​

📝 Registration & Eligibility

• Registration Deadline: May 23, 2025.
• Eligibility:

  • Players must possess a valid competition license for 2025.
  • Foreign players are required to have a valid Hungarian Player License (HPL), obtainable on-site for 8,000 HUF.​

🏨 Accommodation & Amenities

The organizers offer accommodation in separate apartments for five Grandmasters (ELO above 2450). Additionally, participants can enjoy a 75% discount on entrance tickets to the renowned Zalakaros Thermal Bath, providing a perfect relaxation opportunity after intense matches.​

🏢 Organizer & Contact Information

• Organizer: Municipality of Zalakaros
• Patron: Judit Pakulár Czirákiné, Mayor of Zalakaros
• Chief Arbiter: Gyula Fehér (International Arbiter)
• Professional Director: Sándor Horváth
• Contact Emails:

  • Sándor Horváth: karoskut@gmail.com
  • Tamás Mészáros: tamasm23@gmail.com

Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in one of Hungary’s most prestigious chess festivals. Whether you’re aiming for top prizes or seeking to improve your skills, the 44th Zalakaros Chess Festival – Bárczay László Memorial offers a competitive and welcoming environment for all chess enthusiasts.

You may find more similar tournaments at mychess.events.