🏰 General Overview

The 14th International Chess Festival “RTU Open” 2025 will bring together world-class grandmasters, ambitious youth players, and chess lovers from across the globe in the heart of Riga, Latvia. Organizers will provide top-tier tournaments, excellent playing conditions, and an unforgettable atmosphere in one of Northern Europe’s most exciting chess cities.

📅 Dates of the Event

The festival will take place from August 4 to August 10, 2025.

• August 4: Arrival and Opening Ceremony
• August 5–9: Tournament Rounds
• August 10: Final Rounds, Blitz Tournament, Award Ceremony, and Departure

⏳ Time Control of the Event

• Tournament A (Grandmaster Open): 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes to finish the game, with a 30-second increment from move one.
• Tournaments B, C, D: 90 minutes for the entire game plus a 30-second increment per move from move one.
• Blitz Tournament: 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move from move one.

🗓️ Schedule

• August 4:

  • 10:00–14:00: Registration
  • 16:00: Technical Meeting
  • 18:00: Opening Ceremony

• August 5–9:

  • 10:00: Main Tournament Rounds (1–8)

• August 10:

  • 09:00: Final Round (Round 9)
  • 15:00: Blitz Tournament
  • 18:00: Award Ceremony and Closing

🔢 Number of Rounds

• Main Tournaments (A, B, C, D): 9 rounds, Swiss system
• Blitz Tournament: 11 rounds, Swiss system

🏆 Prize Fund and Prizes

The organizers will provide a total prize fund of €30,000.

• Tournament A (Grandmaster Open):

  • 1st Place: €3,500
  • 2nd Place: €2,000
  • 3rd Place: €1,500

• Tournaments B, C, D:

  • Prizes awarded to the top finishers and by rating categories

• Blitz Tournament:

  • 1st Place: €500
  • 2nd Place: €300
  • 3rd Place: €200

Special prizes will honor the best juniors, seniors, and female players.

📝 Registration and Participation Information

Players must complete registration through the official RTU Open website. Organizers require players to register by July 25, 2025, to secure participation. Participants must confirm their registration by submitting proof of payment.

💳 Payment Details

• Tournament A:

  • GM, WGM, IM, WIM: Free entry
  • Other players: €70

• Tournaments B and C:

  • Adults: €50
  • Juniors (U18) and Seniors (60+): €30

• Blitz Tournament:

  • All participants: €10

Participants can pay by bank transfer or directly at the venue during registration.

🏛️ Venue Information

The event will take place at the Riga Technical University Campus, located at Kaļķu iela 1, Riga, Latvia.
Organizers will set up modern and spacious halls equipped for international chess standards.

🛬 Travel and Accommodation

Participants should travel to Riga International Airport (RIX). Organizers will provide information on recommended hotels offering special rates close to the venue.
Participants will have easy access to taxis, shuttle services, and public transportation across Riga.

🎯 Organizer Information

The Riga Technical University (RTU) in collaboration with the Latvian Chess Federation will organize the event.

• Organizer: Riga Technical University Sports Department
• Phone: +371 29113325
• Email: chess@rtu.lv
• Official Website: www.rtuopen.lv

👔 Tournament Director

• Mr. Egons Lavendelis

🧑‍⚖️ Chief Arbiter

• Mr. Andis Kauliņš (IA)