In Bulgaria’s chess capital, Plovdiv, Bulgaria hosts the 5th Yuliyan Radulski Memorial 2026 from Thursday, January 29 to Sunday, February 1, 2026, bringing players together to honor one of the country’s most beloved grandmasters. You spend four days playing a seven-round classical open, share the hall with promising juniors, and compete in a friendly but serious festival atmosphere dedicated to GM Yuliyan Radulski’s sporting and human legacy.

You choose between an open tournament for players rated under 2400 and a separate event for children under 12, both FIDE-rated for classical chess. The organizers schedule double-round days, use a modern 60+30 time control, and set up a clear prize structure and side blitz event, so you can mix competitive games, memorial spirit, and extra chess in one compact long weekend.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizers guarantee a total prize fund of €3,000, shared between Tournament A (main memorial open) and Tournament B (U12 event).

Tournament A – Main Memorial Open

• General prizes for the overall standings from 1st to 10th place

• Special prizes for:

  • Best woman

  • Best senior 60+

  • Best player with Elo ≤2000

  • Best player with Elo ≤1800

All cash prizes are paid in euros. Prizes do not split; if a player qualifies for more than one prize, they receive only the higher-value one according to the official regulations.

Tournament B – U12

Additional awards:

• Cup for 1st place in the overall B-tournament standings

• Medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in categories U8, U10, and U12, for boys and girls separately

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

• Both tournaments use 60 minutes for the entire game plus 30 seconds increment per move from move one for each player.

• The events run as 7-round Swiss tournaments using Swiss-Manager pairing software.

• Standard FIDE Laws of Chess and the regulations of the Bulgarian Chess Federation apply.

• The organizers submit results from both tournaments for FIDE classical rating.

• Tie-break order:

  1. Direct encounter

  2. Buchholz (cut 1)

  3. Buchholz

  4. Number of wins

  5. Sonneborn–Berger

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

You secure your place by sending a pre-registration and paying the tournament fee by bank transfer.

Key steps:

• Registration deadline: January 25, 2026

• Who can play: Any player who registers by email or phone and pays the fee in advance by bank transfer

• Pre-registration email: genova.ruzh@gmail.com

• Registration phone / WhatsApp / Viber: +359 877 657 700

After you send your details (name, federation, rating, birth year, and chosen tournament A or B), the organizers confirm the bank details and fee and treat your participation as final once payment arrives.

👥 Organizer

The 5th Yuliyan Radulski Memorial 2026 runs under the direction of an experienced Bulgarian team that aims to honor GM Yuliyan Radulski’s sporting achievements and personal legacy while promoting classical chess among adults and juniors.

• Tournament director: Kaloyan Mateev

• Chief arbiter: WIM Ruzhka Genova

• Arbiters: Miroslav Mitev (IA), WGM Emilia Djingarova (NA)

🏨 Venue

The memorial takes place in a dedicated indoor playing hall in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, a historic city known as a national center for chess and culture. The venue provides enough space for both Tournament A and Tournament B, with separate areas for players and companions and easy access to city services and public transport. Exact hall details follow the official Bulgarian invitation and tournament announcements.

🛎️ Accommodation

The organizers offer special hotel rates for participants and accompanying persons in Plovdiv, with classic single and double rooms available at fixed prices per night.

Prices include:

• Wi-Fi internet

• 9% VAT

• Local tourist tax

You contact the organizers directly to book rooms at these preferential rates and align your stay with the tournament dates from January 29 to February 1, 2026.

🚗 How to Get There

Plovdiv lies in central-southern Bulgaria and connects easily by road and rail with the rest of the country. You can travel by train or intercity bus to Plovdiv and then continue by local taxi or public transport to the playing hall and recommended hotels. Drivers reach the city via major highways from Sofia and other Bulgarian cities, then follow local signs toward the central districts where the venue and official accommodation are located.

You can celebrate the memory of GM Yuliyan Radulski, play seven FIDE-rated classical games in Bulgaria’s chess heartland, and give both adults and juniors a meaningful festival experience at the 5th Yuliyan Radulski Memorial 2026 in Plovdiv.

🧾 Other

• Both Tournament A and Tournament B count for FIDE classical rating, and the organizers follow the official FIDE and Bulgarian Chess Federation regulations.

• The arbiters apply the published tie-break system (direct encounter, Buchholz cut 1, Buchholz, number of wins, Sonneborn–Berger) to determine final standings when players tie on points.

• A blitz event with a 3+2 time control may take place on February 1, 2026, starting at 15:00, depending on player interest.

• All prizes are paid in euros, do not split, and follow Bulgarian tax law; if a player qualifies for more than one cash prize, they receive only the higher one, and special prizes take priority when values match.

• All participants are considered familiar with and agree to the official regulations; the organizers reserve the right to adjust the program with prior notice and may refuse entry to players who disrupt the event or violate fair-play principles.