20th ICCD World Deaf Team Chess Championship 2026 (6–15 May, Roquetas de Mar, Spain)
20th ICCD World Deaf Team Chess Championship 2026 takes place in the seaside city of Roquetas de Mar (Almería, Spain) from 6 to 15 May 2026. Organized by the International Chess Committee of the Deaf (ICCD), the festival features classical team championships alongside rapid and blitz team titles, individual blitz, an open classical & rapid tournament, and the 38th ICCD Congress.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 6 – 15 May 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Roquetas de Mar, Almería, Spain |
| 🏟️ Venue | Official hotels and tournament halls in Roquetas de Mar |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | ICCD World Deaf Championships (Teams & Individuals) |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Rounds | Classical: 9 (Junior/Senior: 7) · Rapid: 7 · Blitz: 11 · Open: 7 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | Classical: 90′ + 30″ · Rapid: 10′ + 5″ · Blitz: 3′ + 2″ · Open: 90′ + 30″ |
| 🏢 Organizer | International Chess Committee of the Deaf (ICCD) |
| 👤 Host Organizer | Alfredo Gómez Fernández |
| ✉️ Contacts | iccd.gensecretary@gmail.com · alfredogomez@iccdroquetasdemar.com |
🧩 Competitions
- 20th ICCD World Deaf Team Championship (Classical)
- 1st ICCD World Deaf Team Rapid Championship
- 1st ICCD World Deaf Team Blitz Championship
- 8th ICCD World Deaf Individual Blitz Championship
- 14th ICCD Deaf Open Individual Chess Tournament (Classical)
- 1st ICCD Open Individual Rapid Championship
- 38th ICCD Congress (Almería)
👥 Participation & Eligibility
- Participants must belong to ICCD member federations.
- Minimum hearing loss: 55 dB in the best ear (audiogram required).
- Hearing aids/cochlear implants are not permitted during play.
- Team sizes: Men 4+2 reserves; Women/Juniors/Seniors 2+2 reserves.
- Individual Blitz quotas: up to 6 men, 4 women, 4 juniors (boys/girls), 4 seniors per federation.
- Open Individual (Classical & Rapid): unlimited entries.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Wed, 6 May | Arrival & Registration |
| Thu, 7 May | 10:00 Opening Ceremony & Technical Meeting · 15:00 Classical R1 / Open R1 |
| Fri, 8 May | 10:00 Classical R2 / Open R2 |
| Sat, 9 May | 10:00 Classical R3 / Open R3 · 15:00 Classical R4 / Open R4 |
| Sun, 10 May | 10:00 Classical R5 / Open R5 |
| Mon, 11 May | 10:00 Classical R6 / Open R6 |
| Tue, 12 May | 10:00 Classical R7 / Open R7 · 16:00 Team Rapid & Open Rapid |
| Wed, 13 May | 10:00 Team Blitz + Individual Blitz |
| Thu, 14 May | 10:00 38th ICCD Congress (Almería) · 19:00 Closing Ceremony & Party |
| Fri, 15 May | Departure |
💰 Entry Fees
- World Team (Men/Women/Youth/Seniors): €50 per person
- World Blitz Team / Individual & Rapid Team: €40 per person
- Open Individual Rapid & Classical: €30 per person
- ICCD Registration Fee: €50 per trainer/official/delegate
- Organizing Committee Fee: €50 per person (accreditation, arbiter, venue, diploma, medals, local transport)
🏆 Awards & Titles
- ICCD titles, medals, trophies, and diplomas for champions and podium finishers.
- World Team Rapid & Blitz Champions recognized.
- Prize money for Blitz, Rapid, and Open competitions.
- Presence at the Closing Ceremony (14 May) required to receive prizes.
📝 Registration Deadlines
- Preliminary Registration: 14 October 2025
- Final Registration: 14 January 2026
- Name Registration: 14 March 2026
- Send forms to: iccd.gensecretary@gmail.com
🏢 Organizer
The International Chess Committee of the Deaf (ICCD) has organized world championships for deaf athletes since 1949, promoting inclusion and excellence. The 2026 Roquetas de Mar edition offers professional conditions, fair-play protections, and a welcoming atmosphere for the global deaf chess community.
✉️ iccd.gensecretary@gmail.com · ✉️ alfredogomez@iccdroquetasdemar.com
The 20th ICCD World Deaf Team Chess Championship 2026 promises top-level competition, cultural exchange, and an inspiring environment where chess unites athletes beyond barriers.
Organizer
International Chess Committee of the Deaf (ICCD) is an international chess federation recognized by FIDE and dedicated to Deaf chess worldwide. It is officially listed with its office in Kyiv, Ukraine. Over the years, ICCD has served as a global tournament organizer for national teams and individual competitors across its member countries.
In addition, ICCD runs the ICCD World Deaf Chess Championships, which are held every four years and bring together teams from around the world. The 20th ICCD World Deaf Team Chess Championship in Roquetas de Mar (Spain) is part of a broader chess festival program that also includes rapid chess and blitz chess team titles. Moreover, the schedule features open competitions designed to welcome wider participation alongside the elite national teams.
Furthermore, ICCD supports inclusive competition standards and consistent regulations across its international calendar. For example, the Roquetas de Mar 2026 program includes team events, individual titles, and the ICCD Congress, which helps coordinate the next cycle of Deaf chess development. Consequently, ICCD remains a central hub for high-level Deaf chess and structured international events.
