62nd International Akiba Rubinstein Chess Festival takes place on August 14-23, 2026, in Polanica-Zdrój, Poland. The festival includes classical open groups, an opening blitz tournament, youth competitions, events for experienced players, and several accompanying fast chess tournaments.

This is a chess tournament in Polanica-Zdrój, Poland, in 2026. The program offers several FIDE-rated chess tournament sections, including Open A, Open B, Open C, Open D, Open E, and Open F.

The festival uses several playing venues across Polanica-Zdrój. Therefore, participants should check their group, venue, schedule, and registration status before arrival.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Classical Open Tournaments

The classical groups use a 9-round Swiss system. Open A gives each player 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 15 minutes to finish the game, with a 30-second increment from move one.

Open B, Open C, Open D, Open E, and Open F use 90 minutes with a 30-second increment from move one. Meanwhile, Open G uses 60 minutes with a 30-second increment from move one.

Open A, Open B, Open C, Open D, Open E, and Open F count for FIDE rating. As a result, the festival gives players strong classical rating opportunities across several playing levels.

The default time is 30 minutes. In addition, players may request up to two half-point byes in rounds 1–7. They must submit each request before the end of the previous round.

Tie-breaks follow this order: points, Buchholz Cut 1, Buchholz, Berger, progress, direct encounter, number of wins, and number of wins with Black.

Opening Blitz

The Opening Blitz takes place on August 14, 2026. It uses an 11-round Swiss system with a time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move.

ALREH Grandmaster Round-Robin Tournament

The ALREH Grandmaster Round-Robin Tournament forms part of the festival program. Its expected average rating is 2650, so it adds an elite event to the 2026 festival week.

💰 Prize Fund

The published cash prize table confirms 20,500 PLN in named first-place prizes, approximately $5,640. In addition, the festival awards prizes to at least 10% of participants in each tournament.

Published Cash Prizes

Cash prizes are gross amounts. Prizes up to 2,000 PLN are untaxed under the listed Polish tax rule, while a 10% tax applies to higher prizes.

Open F and Open G award non-cash prizes. Moreover, Open F includes separate U10 and U8 classifications. All Open F and Open G participants also receive gifts.

🧩 Sections / Groups

Rating eligibility follows the August 2026 rating list. However, the organizer may admit a player who does not meet the rating criteria when an even number is needed for first-round pairings.

📅 Schedule

Morning Groups

Open B, Open D, Open F, and Open G play in the morning schedule.

Afternoon Groups

Open A, Open C, and Open E play in the afternoon schedule.

Accompanying Events

📝 Registration

The entry fee includes Polish Chess Federation rating fees and FIDE registration fees. Foreign players who prefer cash payment should contact the organizer in advance.

Registered participants with paid entry fees and names marked on the starting list do not need extra confirmation at the Festival Office. They may go directly to the first round of their group.

🏛️ Organizer

The Lower Silesian Chess Federation, the Zdrojowy Theatre Culture and Promotion Centre in Polanica-Zdrój, the Polish Chess Federation, and LKS “Wrzos” Międzyborów organize the 62nd International Akiba Rubinstein Chess Festival. Together, they continue one of Poland’s most recognized chess traditions and offer a broad program for classical, blitz, rapid, youth, and elite players.

Email: polanica@dzszach.pl

📍 Venue

Zdrojowy Theatre, Parkowa Street 2, Polanica-Zdrój, Poland

The Zdrojowy Theatre serves as the main festival venue. It hosts the Opening Blitz, Open A, and Open B. The Festival Office also operates there during the first festival days.

Additional Playing Venues

Hotel Polanica Resort & SPA hosts Open C and Open D.

Hotel Nowy Zdrój hosts Open E and Open F.

The hall at the former gymnasium building hosts Open G.

Because the festival uses several venues, each participant should check the assigned group before arrival.

🏨 Accommodation

Participants arrange accommodation individually.

The organizers can help with recommendations and group reservations when needed. In addition, selected hotel partners and festival participant offers are available through the festival website.

🚆 How to Get There

The nearest international airports are Wrocław Airport, about 100 km from Polanica-Zdrój, and Prague Airport, about 180 km away.

From Wrocław, visitors can reach Polanica-Zdrój by direct train or long-distance bus. From Prague, they can use direct FlixBus connections to Polanica-Zdrój, with an approximate travel time of 3.5 hours.

Another Prague route goes by train to Kłodzko via Pardubice or Ústí nad Orlicí. Then, local trains from Kłodzko to Polanica-Zdrój run regularly and take about 25 minutes.

ℹ️ Other Information

The Festival Office opens at the Zdrojowy Theatre on August 14 from 13:00 to 20:00 and on August 15 from 9:00 to 13:00.

The festival runs in Polish and English. English-speaking arbiters and organizers will be available throughout the event.

Participants from outside the European Union who need a visa to enter Poland may request an invitation letter. For this reason, they should contact the organizer well in advance by email.

Parents or guardians remain responsible for minors during the festival. In addition, every participant should have suitable personal insurance coverage.

Participation includes consent for tournament data processing, result publication, event reporting, and documentary photography.

The 62nd Akiba Rubinstein Chess Festival offers a full chess week in Polanica-Zdrój with strong classical play, fast chess events, and a historic festival atmosphere.