Ostravský koník 2026, May 2-10, 2026, Ostrava, Czech Republic brings one of the region’s most established spring chess festivals back to the spacious Černá louka exhibition venue with three FIDE-rated classical Opens designed for different rating bands. The program centers on a 9-round Swiss with serious classical time control, live-streamed top boards, and a clear section structure that lets ambitious improvers, experienced club players, and strong titled competitors all compete in the right field.
Beyond the main Opens, Ostravský koník adds evening side events that keep the week lively, including a FIDE-rated blitz night and several fun variants played on-site at the same venue. With broad eligibility, practical discounts, and a prize structure that rewards both overall results and key categories (women, juniors, seniors, and multiple rating groups), the festival creates a strong reason to plan a full chess week in Ostrava.
🗓️ Event Details
| 📅 Dates | May 2-10, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Ostrava, Czech Republic |
| ♟️ Format | Swiss System |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated (Opens A/B/C), FIDE-rated blitz (blitz event) |
| 📂 Sections | FIDE Open A, FIDE Open B, FIDE Open C; plus on-site side events |
| ⏱️ Time control | Opens A/B/C: 90 min/40 moves + 30 min + 30 sec increment from move 1; Blitz: 3+2 |
| 💳 Entry fee | Open A: 1,800 CZK (FIDE ≥ 2000) or 2,500 CZK (FIDE < 2000); Open B: 1,500 CZK; Open C: 1,200 CZK; Blitz: 150 CZK |
| 💰 Prize fund | US $13,350 (approx.) |
| 👤 Eligibility | Open A: FIDE rating ≥ 1900; Open B: FIDE rating < 2000; Open C: FIDE rating < 1700 |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Waiting time (default time) for the Opens: 60 minutes |
🏆 Prize Fund
All amounts below are listed in CZK. The organizer guarantees the listed prizes, and prizes can be cumulative. Players must attend the closing ceremony to receive prizes in the main tournaments (FIDE Opens).
Open-A (main prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 40,000 CZK |
| 2nd | 30,000 CZK |
| 3rd | 20,000 CZK |
| 4th | 15,000 CZK |
| 5th | 10,000 CZK |
| 6th | 7,000 CZK |
| 7th–8th | 5,000 CZK |
| 9th–10th | 3,000 CZK |
Open-B (main prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 15,000 CZK |
| 2nd | 10,000 CZK |
| 3rd | 7,000 CZK |
| 4th | 5,000 CZK |
| 5th | 4,000 CZK |
| 6th | 3,000 CZK |
| 7th–8th | 2,000 CZK |
| 9th–10th | 1,500 CZK |
Open-C (main prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 10,000 CZK |
| 2nd | 7,000 CZK |
| 3rd | 5,000 CZK |
| 4th | 4,000 CZK |
| 5th | 3,000 CZK |
| 6th | 2,000 CZK |
| 7th–8th | 1,500 CZK |
| 9th–10th | 1,000 CZK |
Category prizes (apply in Opens A/B/C)
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best woman | 1,000 CZK (each Open A/B/C) |
| Best junior U18 | 1,000 CZK (each Open A/B/C) |
| Best senior 60+ | 1,000 CZK (each Open A/B/C) |
“Best Ostravák” prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 1,500 CZK |
| 2nd | 1,000 CZK |
| 3rd | 500 CZK |
Rating-group prizes (FIDE ELO categories)
| Category | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-2150 | 3,000 CZK | 2,000 CZK | 1,000 CZK |
| U-1850 | 1,500 CZK | 1,000 CZK | 500 CZK |
| U-1550 | 1,500 CZK | 1,000 CZK | 500 CZK |
| U-1950 | 500 CZK | 300 CZK | 200 CZK |
Blitz tournament (FIDE blitz-rated)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 2,500 CZK |
| 2nd | 2,000 CZK |
| 3rd | 1,500 CZK |
| 4th | 1,000 CZK |
| 5th | 700 CZK |
| 6th | 500 CZK |
| 7th–8th | 300 CZK |
| 9th–10th | 200 CZK |
| Best woman | 500 CZK |
| Best junior U18 | 500 CZK |
| Best senior 60+ | 500 CZK |
Bughouse (team event)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 1,000 CZK |
| 2nd | 500 CZK |
| 3rd | 500 CZK |
Fischer Random
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 500 CZK |
| 2nd | 300 CZK |
| 3rd | 200 CZK |
Retro chess by dictation
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 500 CZK |
| 2nd | 300 CZK |
| 3rd | 200 CZK |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The main festival features three FIDE-rated classical Opens (A/B/C) played as 9-round Swiss tournaments. Each game uses 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move 1. The organizer applies a 60-minute waiting time for the Opens. The organizer ranks players by points, then tie-breaks including middle Buchholz, Buchholz, progress, and average opponent rating (as listed by the organizer for the festival events).
The festival also runs a FIDE blitz-rated open blitz tournament (11-round Swiss) with 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment per move. Additional on-site events include Fischer Random with 3 minutes preparation and then 5+3, a bughouse team event, and a retro chess-by-dictation event with 5 seconds per move per the organizer’s format.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FIDE Open A | FIDE rating ≥ 1900 (entry fee depends on whether FIDE ≥ 2000) | FIDE-rated, 9 rounds Swiss |
| FIDE Open B | FIDE rating < 2000 | FIDE-rated, 9 rounds Swiss |
| FIDE Open C | FIDE rating < 1700 | FIDE-rated, 9 rounds Swiss |
| Blitz tournament | Open | FIDE blitz-rated, 11 rounds Swiss |
| Fischer Random | Open | Random starting position, on-site registration |
| Bughouse | Open (teams) | Team event, paid per team |
| Retro chess by dictation | Open | Special variant event, free entry |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2026 | Saturday | 16:00 | Round 1 (Opens A/B/C) |
| May 3, 2026 | Sunday | 16:00 | Round 2 (Opens A/B/C) |
| May 4, 2026 | Monday | 16:00 | Round 3 (Opens A/B/C) |
| May 4, 2026 | Monday | 20:00 | Fischer Random tournament |
| May 5, 2026 | Tuesday | 16:00 | Round 4 (Opens A/B/C) |
| May 5, 2026 | Tuesday | 21:00 | Bughouse tournament |
| May 6, 2026 | Wednesday | 16:00 | Round 5 (Opens A/B/C) |
| May 6, 2026 | Wednesday | 20:00 | Retro chess by dictation |
| May 7, 2026 | Thursday | 16:00 | Round 6 (Opens A/B/C) |
| May 8, 2026 | Friday | 16:00 | Round 7 (Opens A/B/C) |
| May 8, 2026 | Friday | 21:00 | Blitz tournament (FIDE blitz-rated) |
| May 9, 2026 | Saturday | 16:00 | Round 8 (Opens A/B/C) |
| May 10, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 | Round 9 (Opens A/B/C) |
📝 Registration
| How to register | Online registration form: https://www.ostravskykonik.cz/prihlaska.php |
| Registration deadline | Submit registrations by April 20, 2026 |
| Confirmation rule | The organizer accepts registrations after the entry fee payment (after applying eligible discounts). If you request accommodation, pay a 1,000 CZK deposit as well. |
| Entry fees (Opens) | Open A (FIDE ≥ 2000): 1,800 CZK; Open A (FIDE < 2000): 2,500 CZK; Open B: 1,500 CZK; Open C: 1,200 CZK |
| Entry fees (other) | Blitz: 150 CZK; Bughouse: 150 CZK per team; Fischer Random: free; Retro by dictation: free |
| Discounts (Opens) | Discounts can accumulate. The organizer lists discounts for FM/WFM (Open A), women, juniors (U18/U13), seniors (60+/70+/80+), ZTP, club group entry (minimum 5 players), timely payment by April 20, 2026, wins in the simultaneous exhibition, and top finishers in Rapid Tour categories. GM/WGM/IM/WIM play Open A for free, with additional individual conditions by agreement. |
| Payment (bank transfer) | Czech account (Fio banka): 2700532752/2010 (use your date of birth as the variable symbol). Transfers from Slovakia use: 2700532752/8330 (pay in EUR as a local payment). |
| Accommodation note | After April 20, 2026, the organizer does not guarantee accommodation arrangements. |
👥 Organizer
Ostravský koník is organized by Ostrava Chess z.s. in Ostrava, with festival leadership and on-site operations coordinated by the festival director and the appointed chief arbiter. Use the official website for current festival updates and registration access, and contact the director directly for entry, discounts, and participation questions.
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Email: marek@ostravskykonik.cz
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Phone: +420 603 525 566
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Website: https://www.ostravskykonik.cz/
🏨 Venue
Pavilion A, Černá louka Exhibition Centre, Černá louka 3235, 702 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
The festival plays in Pavilion A at the Černá louka exhibition center, a large event complex in Ostrava used for major public events and exhibitions. The venue hosts all main rounds and the listed evening side events on-site.
🛎️ Accommodation
The organizer accepts accommodation requests through the festival registration form and requires a 1,000 CZK deposit when you request lodging. The registration form lists room options with breakfast-inclusive pricing, including single, double, and triple rooms, as well as additional listed budget room options. Submit your request by April 20, 2026 if you want the organizer to secure accommodation.
🚗 How to Get There
Travel to Ostrava, Czech Republic, then head to the Černá louka exhibition center and enter Pavilion A. Use the full venue address to plan your route: Černá louka 3235, 702 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
Plan your spring chess week in Ostrava and play nine serious classical rounds in a section that fits your level while enjoying the festival’s packed evening program.
🧾 Other
The organizer sets a 60-minute waiting time for the FIDE Opens.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $13,350
Organizer
Ostrava Chess z.s. is a Czech chess organizer based in Ostrava (Polanka nad Odrou), Czech Republic. Over the years, the association has become a recognized tournament organizer in the Moravian-Silesian Region. As a result, it is closely linked with major chess events in and around Ostrava.
In addition, the team runs the Ostravský koník festival, a long-running chess festival that attracts players from the Czech Republic and abroad. The program typically includes multiple FIDE-rated tournament sections and side events for different levels. Moreover, it supports both ambitious competitors and improving club players through a clear section structure.
Furthermore, Ostrava Chess z.s. also delivers regional events such as the K-TRIO Open as part of its rapid tour activities. For example, these events focus on rapid chess and often complement the festival’s classical chess schedule. Consequently, the organizer offers a balanced calendar that includes blitz chess and community-driven chess in Ostrava.