38th Open Pula 2026
Set on the Adriatic in Istria, the 38th Open Pula 2026 runs from 13-21 June 2026 in Pula, Croatia. Hosted in the congress hall of Hotel Park Plaza Histria, the nine-day festival features an international single-section Swiss open at classical cadence, clear daily scheduling, and a proven organizational team. With an €11,000 net prize fund and generous special prizes across rating bands for women, seniors, juniors, and locals, the tournament is designed to reward both overall performance and depth across the field.
Players can expect a professional experience: FIDE-rated games at 90+30, daily afternoon rounds (with a morning final), on-site sets and clocks provided by the organiser, and a convenient coastal venue near accommodation partners. Registration is straightforward, eligibility is open to all players with a valid FIDE ID (not under suspension), and on-site assistance is available for accommodation coordination.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 13-21 June 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Pula, Croatia (Hotel Park Plaza Histria – Congress Hall) |
| ♟️ Format | Single Open, 9-round Swiss, FIDE variant |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move from move 1 |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated (standard) |
| ✅ Eligibility | Players with FIDE ID whose federation is not under suspension |
| 🕰️ Default Time | 30 minutes (forfeit time) |
| 💵 Entry Fee | GM/WGM free • U20 (born 2006+) €55 • Others €80 |
| 🎯 Notes | Sets and digital clocks provided by organiser; prizes non-cumulative |
🏆 Prize Fund
Main Prizes (Net €11,000 total across all prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €1,300 |
| 2nd | €1,000 |
| 3rd | €800 |
| 4th | €600 |
| 5th | €500 |
| 6th | €400 |
| 7th | €300 |
| 8th | €200 |
| 9th | €150 |
| 10th | €120 |
Special Prizes (non-cumulative; amounts in €)
| Category | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Woman | 600 | 400 | 250 | 150 | 120 | 100 |
| Best IM | 300 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Best FM | 250 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Elo 2201–2400 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 120 | 100 | – |
| Elo 2001–2200 | 200 | 150 | 120 | 100 | 80 | – |
| Elo 1801–2000 | 150 | 120 | 100 | 80 | – | – |
| Elo 1601–1800 | 120 | 100 | 80 | – | – | – |
| Elo 0–1600 | 100 | 80 | 70 | – | – | – |
| Seniors 60+ | 120 | 100 | 90 | 80 | 70 | – |
| U20 (born 2006+) | 120 | 100 | 90 | 80 | 70 | – |
| Best CC Pula | 70 | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional trophies: Winner of the tournament and best woman receive special trophies; top three U10 (born 2016+) receive special trophies.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Classical cadence: 90′ + 30″ from move 1.
9 rounds, single Swiss tournament for all registered players.
FIDE Laws of Chess; FIDE rating submission after the event.
Default (forfeit) time 30 minutes.
Prizes are not cumulative (a player receives only one, highest prize).
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Single Open | Joint tournament for all registered players (one section) |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, 12 Jun 2026 | 19:00–21:00 | Final registration (desk at Hotel Park Plaza Histria) |
| Sat, 13 Jun 2026 | 09:00–13:00 | Final registration (desk open) |
| Sat, 13 Jun 2026 | 16:30 | Opening Ceremony (Congress Hall) |
| Sat, 13 Jun 2026 | 16:30 | Round 1 |
| Sun, 14 Jun 2026 | 16:30 | Round 2 |
| Mon, 15 Jun 2026 | 16:30 | Round 3 |
| Tue, 16 Jun 2026 | 16:30 | Round 4 |
| Wed, 17 Jun 2026 | 16:30 | Round 5 |
| Thu, 18 Jun 2026 | 16:30 | Round 6 |
| Fri, 19 Jun 2026 | 16:30 | Round 7 |
| Sat, 20 Jun 2026 | 16:30 | Round 8 |
| Sun, 21 Jun 2026 | 10:00 | Round 9 |
| Sun, 21 Jun 2026 | 16:00 | Closing Ceremony |
📝 Registration
Who can enter: Any player with a valid FIDE ID and not under federation suspension.
How to register: Send your name, FIDE ID, contact to the organisers; confirm in person at final-registration times above.
Contacts:
Valter Valković – +385 95 362 5012 • valter.valkovic@gmail.com
Kristian Valković – +385 98 532 583 • kristian.valkovic@gmail.com
Fees: GM/WGM free • U20 (born 2006+) €55 • Others €80 (pay on registration as instructed).
Results hub: https://chess-results.com/tnr1293430.aspx
Data & photos: By registering, players consent to the publication of necessary personal data, games and photos for event coverage.
👥 Organizer
Chess Club Pula – with support from Istria County and the City of Pula, delivering one of Croatia’s best-known summer opens. The team oversees registration, venue setup, arbiting, and prize-giving, and coordinates with local hospitality partners for a smooth player experience.
Email: valter.valkovic@gmail.com • kristian.valkovic@gmail.com
Phone: +385 95 362 5012 (Valter) • +385 98 532 583 (Kristian)
🏨 Venue
Hotel Park Plaza Histria — Congress Hall
Pula, Croatia
Modern congress facilities with air-conditioned halls suitable for classical chess. The hotel lies on Pula’s Verudela peninsula with on-site services and quick access to coastal paths; registration and ceremonies are held in the same congress area.
🛎️ Accommodation
For hotel and apartment bookings, contact the organisers directly:
Valter Valković – +385 95 362 5012, valter.valkovic@gmail.com
Kristian Valković – +385 98 532 583, kristian.valkovic@gmail.com
Additional accommodation queries can be directed to Arena Hospitality Group d.d. (Marketing): Ms. Marina Šeb-Beletić – msbeletic@arenahospitalitygroup.com. Early summer dates are popular – book promptly if you want rooms within the venue complex.
🚗 How to Get There
Air: Fly to Pula Airport (PUY); short taxi/transfer to the Verudela area.
Road: Pula is connected by the A9 (Istrian Y); follow local signs to Hotel Park Plaza Histria (Verudela).
Local transport: Taxis and local buses connect Pula centre and Verudela; allow time before the 16:30 rounds.
Enjoy a classic Adriatic chess week—sunlit afternoons, a generous prize fund, and a single, strong open at the 38th Open Pula 2026.