Ceske Budejovice Chess Festival 2026
Šachový festival České Budějovice 2026 brings top-level classical chess to the heart of South Bohemia on June 30–July 8, 2026, in České Budějovice, Czech Republic. The festival combines two closed 10-player round-robin tournaments (GM and IM norm events) with two FIDE rated open tournaments played over 9 rounds, creating a strong international chess tournament week for titled players and ambitious competitors alike.
Across the Chess Festival České Budějovice 2026 program, every game follows classical chess time controls and counts for FIDE rating and Czech rating. The main open events include Open A (for higher-rated players) and Open B (for developing players), with a combined cash prize fund of USD 10,100 (approx.) based on the published prize lists. Chess Festival České Budějovice 2026 also offers organizer-arranged accommodation options in České Budějovice for players who register on time.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | June 30–July 8, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | České Budějovice, Czech Republic |
| ♟️ Format | Over-the-board classical chess festival: 2 closed round-robins + 2 Swiss opens |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated and Czech rating (Elo ČR) |
| 📂 Sections | Closed GM Tournament (10 players, RR); Closed IM Norm Tournament (10 players, RR); FIDE Open České Budějovice – Open A (Swiss); FIDE Open QCC – Open B (Swiss) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes to finish + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | CZK 0–10,000 depending on section and FIDE rating (based on FIDE rating as of June 1, 2026) |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 10,100 (approx.) |
| 👤 Eligibility | Open A: FIDE Elo ≥ 1900 (players below 1900 only with organizer approval); Open B: FIDE Elo ≤ 2000; closed tournaments by selection |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | On-site check-in runs June 30, 2026 (10:00–14:00); late entries add CZK 200; payment deadline June 25, 2026 (bank transfer) or cash at check-in |
| Chess-Results.com | https://chess-results.com/tnr1337150.aspx |
🏆 Prize Fund
Cash prizes below list the published monetary awards only. The organizer also awards non-cash prizes (such as trophies and books) where stated.
FIDE Open České Budějovice – Open A (Prizes in CZK)
| Place / Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 40,000 |
| 2nd | 30,000 |
| 3rd | 20,000 |
| 4th | 15,000 |
| 5th | 10,000 |
| 6th | 9,000 |
| 7th | 8,000 |
| 8th | 7,000 |
| 9th | 6,000 |
| 10th | 5,000 |
| 11th | 4,000 |
| 12th | 3,000 |
| 13th | 2,000 |
| 14th | 1,000 |
| Best woman | 5,000 |
| 2nd woman | 3,000 |
| 3rd woman | 2,000 |
| Best senior | 1,000 |
| Rating prizes (FIDE Elo 2101–2200) | 800 / 600 / 400 |
| Rating prizes (FIDE Elo < 2100) | 800 / 600 / 400 |
FIDE Open QCC – Open B (Prizes in CZK)
| Place / Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 10,000 |
| 2nd | 8,000 |
| 3rd | 5,000 |
| 4th | 3,000 |
| 5th | 1,000 |
| 6th | 900 |
| 7th | 800 |
| 8th | 700 |
| 9th | 600 |
| 10th | 500 |
| Best woman | 1,000 |
| Best senior | 1,000 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Chess Festival České Budějovice 2026 uses the classical time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move 1. The closed GM tournament and closed IM norm tournament each run as 10-player round robins over 9 rounds. Open A and Open B run as 9-round Swiss tournaments.
The festival applies the following published tie-break criteria: the closed round-robins use Sonneborn-Berger, then head-to-head results, then results against the 1st/2nd/next placed players, then drawing of lots; the Swiss opens use head-to-head results, then Buchholz cut (-1), then Buchholz, then Sonneborn-Berger, then “more games with Black,” then drawing of lots. A player forfeits after 60 minutes from the official round start time.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Closed GM Tournament | Selected players (10-player RR) | 9 rounds, round-robin |
| Closed IM Norm Tournament | Selected players (10-player RR) | 9 rounds, round-robin (IM norm event) |
| FIDE Open České Budějovice – Open A | FIDE Elo ≥ 1900 | Players below 1900 only with organizer approval |
| FIDE Open QCC – Open B | FIDE Elo ≤ 2000 | Players without FIDE Elo allowed (entry fee applies) |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2026 | Tuesday | 10:00–14:00 | On-site check-in (playing hall) |
| June 30, 2026 | Tuesday | 15:45 | Official opening (playing venue) |
| June 30, 2026 | Tuesday | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| July 1, 2026 | Wednesday | 16:00 | Round 2 |
| July 2, 2026 | Thursday | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| July 3, 2026 | Friday | 16:00 | Round 4 |
| July 4, 2026 | Saturday | 16:00 | Round 5 |
| July 5, 2026 | Sunday | 16:00 | Round 6 |
| July 6, 2026 | Monday | 16:00 | Round 7 |
| July 7, 2026 | Tuesday | 16:00 | Round 8 |
| July 8, 2026 | Wednesday | 10:00 | Round 9 |
📝 Registration
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Send a registration email to the organizer (email address is published on the organizer’s tournament page) |
| Registration deadlines | May 30, 2026 (with accommodation request); June 24, 2026 (without accommodation guarantee) |
| Required registration details | First name, last name, club/city, FIDE ID (if any), FIDE/national rating, phone, email, accommodation and meal request |
| Payment deadline | June 25, 2026 (bank transfer) or cash at on-site check-in |
| Bank account for payment | Fio banka České Budějovice, account 2002954229 / 2010 (include the player’s name in the payment note) |
| Late entry | Add CZK 200 for registrations after the deadline |
| Entry fees (Closed GM) | GM: CZK 0; FIDE Elo ≥ 2500: CZK 4,000; 2450–2499: CZK 6,000; 2400–2449: CZK 7,000; 2350–2399: CZK 8,000; ≤2349: CZK 10,000; WGM discount 10% |
| Entry fees (Closed IM) | GM/IM: CZK 0; FIDE Elo ≥ 2400: CZK 3,000; 2350–2399: CZK 4,000; 2300–2349: CZK 5,000; 2250–2299: CZK 6,000; ≤2249: CZK 8,000; FM discount 10% |
| Entry fees (Open A) | GM/IM/WGM/WIM and FIDE Elo ≥ 2500: CZK 0; Elo ≥ 2400: CZK 500; 2300–2399: CZK 1,500; 2200–2299: CZK 1,800; ≤2200: CZK 2,000; FIDE Elo < 1900: CZK 4,000 (only with organizer approval) |
| Entry fees (Open B) | FIDE Elo 1901–2000: CZK 500; 1801–1900: CZK 800; 1701–1800: CZK 1,000; 1601–1700: CZK 1,500; ≤1600: CZK 1,800; no FIDE Elo: CZK 2,000 |
| Standard discounts | Youth (born 2008 or later), seniors (born 1961 or earlier), women, and ZTP card holders: CZK 200 discount (not cumulative) |
| Special discount | Open A participants: additional CZK 200 discount (combines with one standard discount) |
👥 Organizer
Chess Festival České Budějovice 2026 is organized by Šachová univerzita QCC České Budějovice, a local chess organization that runs a full festival format in České Budějovice with closed round-robin events and two FIDE rated open tournaments. The organizer coordinates registration, pairing operations, and official accommodation options to support visiting players throughout the classical chess schedule.
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Website: https://www.qcc.cz/
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Phone (Tournament Director – Jiří Havlíček): +420 775 142 262
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Phone (Accommodation – Jana Havlíčková): +420 776 209 165
🏨 Venue
Clarion Congress Hotel ****, Pražská třída 2306/14, 370 04 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Chess Festival České Budějovice 2026 plays in the Clarion Congress Hotel in České Budějovice. The venue sits in the city center and offers straightforward access from the main railway station. Players can also reach the hotel via the Družba – IGY trolleybus stop.
🛎️ Accommodation
| Option | Address | Official rate (CZK) |
|---|---|---|
| Clarion Congress Hotel (single) | Pražská třída 2306/14, 370 04 České Budějovice | 1,700 per night (bed + breakfast) / 2,050 per night (bed + breakfast + lunch) |
| Clarion Congress Hotel (double) | Pražská třída 2306/14, 370 04 České Budějovice | 2,200 per night (bed + breakfast) / 2,900 per night (bed + breakfast + lunch) |
| University dorms (Kolej K1) | Studentská 19, České Budějovice 370 05 | Single: 600 per room per night; Double: 1,000 per room per night |
| University dorms (Kolej K3) | Studentská 15, České Budějovice 370 05 | Double: 720 per room per night |
Clarion rates apply only when booking accommodation through the organizer. A local accommodation tax applies to all stays: CZK 50 per person aged 18+ per day.
Clarion hotel website: https://www.clarioncongresshotelceskebudejovice.com/en/
University dorms website: http://kam.jcu.cz/cz/
🚗 How to Get There
České Budějovice, Czech Republic offers convenient rail access via the České Budějovice main railway station, with onward city transport options to the festival venue in central České Budějovice.
International travelers often arrive via Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG) or Linz Airport (LNZ) and continue to České Budějovice by train or road. The city also has České Budějovice Airport (JCL) for limited services, depending on the operating schedule.
Play classical chess in the center of České Budějovice and make Chess Festival České Budějovice 2026 the highlight of your summer tournament calendar.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $10,100