The 61st International Akiba Rubinstein Chess Festival, featuring the prestigious GM RR event, returns to Polanica-Zdrój, Poland from August 15 to August 24, 2025, celebrating the legacy of one of the greatest chess minds in history. Organizers invite top grandmasters to compete in a closed 9-round round-robin tournament, forming the crown jewel of a broad chess festival that also features numerous open tournaments for players of all levels.

📅 Event Dates

The GM Round-Robin Tournament runs from August 15 to August 24, 2025. Additional open tournaments take place from August 16 to August 24, 2025.

⏱️ Time Control

In the Grandmaster tournament, each player receives 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move one.

📆 Festival Schedule

Opening Blitz (Zdrojowy Theatre)

• August 15 (Friday), 16:00–20:00 – 11 rounds, 3+2 time control

GM Round-Robin (Zdrojowy Theatre)

• August 15–24 – One round daily, 9 total rounds
• Round 9: August 24, 09:00
• Closing Ceremony: August 24, 13:30

Morning Groups (09:30 start, Round 9 at 09:00):

• OPEN B: FIDE rating 1800–2200
• OPEN D: FIDE ≤1800
• OPEN F: Youth (born 2011 or later)
• OPEN G: Youth with national rating 1000–1250

Afternoon Groups (15:00 start, Round 9 at 14:00):

• OPEN A: FIDE ≥2000
• OPEN C: FIDE ≤2000 or unrated
• OPEN E: Seniors (born 1965 or earlier)

Accompanying Side Events:

• August 17 – Blitz (15:30)
• August 18 – Rapid (15:30)
• August 19 – Bughouse (15:30) + Evening Blitz (20:30)
• August 20 – Fischer Random (15:30)
• August 21 – Blitz (15:30)
• August 22 – Evening Blitz (20:30)
• August 23 – Rapid (15:30)

Alt text for image: “Chess hall set up for Akiba Rubinstein Chess Festival – Polanica-Zdrój”

🔢 Number of Rounds

The GM Round-Robin features 9 rounds, played as a single round-robin between 10 players.

Other open tournaments also follow a 9-round Swiss system, with the exception of OPEN F (youth, 6 rounds) and OPEN G (7 rounds).

🏆 Prize Fund and Prizes

Organizers will announce the GM Round-Robin prize fund and appearance terms directly with invited players. However, the broader festival prize fund includes the following:

Open Tournament Prizes

OPEN–A

• 1st: 6000 PLN
• 2nd: 4000 PLN
• 3rd: 3000 PLN

OPEN–B

• 1st: 3000 PLN
• 2nd: 2000 PLN
• 3rd: 1500 PLN

OPEN–C

• 1st: 1500 PLN
• 2nd: 1200 PLN
• 3rd: 1000 PLN

OPEN-D

• 1st: 2000 PLN
• 2nd: 1500 PLN
• 3rd: 1200 PLN

OPEN-E (Seniors)

• 1st: 1500 PLN
• 2nd: 1200 PLN
• 3rd: 1000 PLN

Organizers award at least 10% of participants in each tournament. In OPEN F and G, organizers give non-monetary prizes to top U14, U10, and U8 players, and all participants receive gifts.

Alt text for image: “Trophies and prizes at the Akiba Rubinstein Chess Festival”

📝 Registration and Participation

• The GM Round-Robin is by invitation only.
• Other tournaments are open to eligible players based on FIDE rating or age category.
• Players must register by August 9, 2025.

💳 Payment Details

• GM Round-Robin – Free for invited players
• OPEN A – 60 EUR
• OPEN B – 48 EUR
• OPEN C – 45 EUR
• OPEN D – 43 EUR
• OPEN E – 40 EUR
• OPEN F – 38 EUR
• OPEN G – 30 EUR
• Blitz / Rapid / Fischer Random – 30 PLN
• Bughouse – 40 PLN/pair

Grandmasters (GM/IM/WGM) receive free entry to all events. Organizers offer 10% discounts for players entering multiple events or registering as part of a group (minimum 10 players).

Organizers accept payment by international bank transfer or in cash by prior agreement.

Alt text for image: “Festival registration desk at Zdrojowy Theatre – Polanica-Zdrój”

📍 Venue Information

Organizers will host the tournament at the Spa Theatre (Teatr Zdrojowy) located at Parkowa Street 2, Polanica-Zdrój, Poland. The venue offers a beautiful, spacious, and historic setting surrounded by gardens and mineral springs.

✈️ Travel and Accommodation

Participants can travel to Polanica-Zdrój via:

• Wrocław Airport (WRO) – 100 km away (train or bus to Polanica-Zdrój)
• Prague Airport (PRG) – 180 km away (FlixBus or train via Kłodzko)

Organizers encourage early booking of local accommodation. They offer recommendations and support for hotels offering discounted rates to festival participants.

Alt text for image: “Spa town of Polanica-Zdrój, Poland – Lush green landscape and mountain views”

🧩 Organizer Information

Organizers of the 61st Akiba Rubinstein Festival include:

• Lower Silesian Chess Federation
• Teatr Zdrojowy – Culture and Promotion Centre
• Polish Chess Federation
• LKS “Wrzos” Międzyborów
• Address: Borowska 1–3, 50-529 Wrocław, Poland
• Email: polanica@dzszach.pl
• Website: rubinstein.dzszach.pl