Stockholm’s signature winter festival returns as the 53rd Rilton Cup 2025/2026 brings world-class classical chess to the Scandic Continental in the city center from 27 December 2025 to 5 January 2026. Across multiple rating bands – Rilton Cup, Rilton U2200, and the Rilton Open plus U1800 – players enjoy a polished international experience with daily rounds, expert arbiting, and a buzzing holiday atmosphere just steps from Central Station.
With a proven schedule, clear regulations, and side events (rapid/blitz, lectures, meet-ups), Rilton is built for both titled contenders and ambitious club players. Cup & U2200 use full classical standards with 9 rounds, while Open and U1800 deliver compact formats and friendlier time controls — all FIDE-rated, all under one roof in central Stockholm.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 27 December 2025 – 5 January 2026 |
| 📍 Venue | Scandic Continental, Vasagatan 22, 111 20 Stockholm, Sweden |
| ♟️ Format | Rilton Cup (9-Round Swiss) • Rilton U2200 (9-Round Swiss) • Rilton Open (7-Round Swiss) • Rilton U1800 (7-Round Swiss) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | Cup & U2200: 40/90′ + 30′, +30″/move from move 1 • Open: 60′ + 30″/move • U1800: 90′ + 30″/move |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated (Standard) |
| ✅ Eligibility | Cup: rating-based entry (incl. junior/women exceptions as announced) • Other groups by Elo band |
| 👨⚖️ Officials | Organizer & Chief Arbiter: IA/IO Jonas Sandbom; assistant arbiters team on site |
| 🎯 Notes | No draw offers before move 31 in the Cup; 1 January is a rest day for classical events |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Cup & U2200: 40 moves in 90′, then +30′ to finish; +30″/move from move one (9 rounds).
Rilton Open: 60′ + 30″/move (7 rounds).
U1800: 90′ + 30″/move (7 rounds).
System: Swiss pairings; results published online and at the venue.
Fair play: FIDE Laws apply; scoresheets required to the end of the game; anti-cheating measures in operation.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rounds | Entry Basis (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| Rilton Cup | 9 | Top event; rating-based entry with published exceptions for juniors/women |
| Rilton U2200 | 9 | Players <2200 at registration list cut-off |
| Rilton Open | 7 | Open by rating band (mid-field classical, friendlier cadence) |
| Rilton U1800 | 7 | Players <1800 at list cut-off |
📅 Schedule (Cup & U2200)
| Date | Time (CET) | Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 27 | 14:30 | Round 1 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | 14:30 | Round 2 |
| Mon, Dec 29 | 14:30 | Round 3 |
| Tue, Dec 30 | 14:30 | Round 4 |
| Wed, Dec 31 | 12:00 | Round 5 |
| Thu, Jan 1 | — | Rest Day |
| Fri, Jan 2 | 14:30 | Round 6 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 14:30 | Round 7 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | 14:30 | Round 8 |
| Mon, Jan 5 | 12:00 | Round 9 & Closing Ceremony (afternoon) |
Rilton Open & U1800 follow a compact 7-round schedule within the festival dates; exact round times are posted with pairings.
📝 Registration
Register online: https://www.rilton.se/anmaldig.html
Payment: Bank transfer / card / PayPal as listed on the registration page. Early payment discounts apply (classic 100 SEK early-bird).
Entry cap: The first ~300 fully paid registrations are guaranteed participation (festival total).
IDs: A FIDE ID is required for all rated events; ensure federation membership/clearance per your national rules.
Check-in: Confirm on-site before your first round (times posted with pairings). Late arrivals risk missing the round.
👥 Organizer
Hosted by the Stockholm Chess Federation in cooperation with the Rilton Cup Committee and partners.
Festival site: https://www.rilton.se/
Live games & results links are posted on the festival dashboard during the event.
🏨 Venue
All events take place at Scandic Continental, Vasagatan 22, opposite Stockholm Central Station — a modern hotel venue with large playing halls, breakout spaces, and extensive food & beverage options for players and guests.
🛎️ Accommodation
On-site hotel: Scandic Continental offers a festival booking code with preferred rates (limited allotment; book early on scandichotels.com).
Nearby hotels and apartments around Central Station / Norrmalm provide a wide range of alternatives within a 5–10 minute walk.
🚗 How to Get There
Train/Metro: Directly across from Stockholm C and T-Centralen (all lines).
Airport: Arlanda (ARN) → Arlanda Express or commuter rail to Stockholm C; Bromma (BMA) has frequent bus/metro connections.
Car: Central parking garages nearby; allow extra time during holiday dates.
Step into the new year at Sweden’s flagship open — choose Rilton Cup, U2200, Open, or U1800, and celebrate ten days of classical chess in the heart of Stockholm.
Organizer
Founded in 1911, Stockholms Schackförbund is one of Sweden’s most active chess tournament organizers, coordinating FIDE-rated and national-rated opens, rapid, and blitz events across the Stockholm region. From league play and youth circuits to flagship festivals, the federation supports juniors, adult improvers, and titled players with professional arbiters, clear regulations, and player-first logistics—making it a cornerstone of open chess events in Stockholm and a pillar of Swedish chess.
The federation is closely associated with major fixtures such as the Rilton Cup, the Stockholm Individual Championship (DM), junior GP circuits, and district stages of Schackfyran for schools. Its year-round calendar and partnerships with local clubs provide structured pathways from grassroots to elite competition, offering reliable opportunities for rating progress and strong, internationally attended tournaments.
Contact
Address: Hornsgatan 82, 118 21 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: +46 8 669 36 54
Email: kansli@stockholmsschack.se; schackfyran@stockholmsschack.se
Website: https://www.stockholmsschack.se
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stockholmsschack/