6th International Summer Chess Festival “Serbia Open 2026” will take place from July 13 – 22, 2026, in Belgrade, Serbia. This is a chess tournament festival in Belgrade, Serbia, in 2026.

The festival brings several international chess events to the Metropol Palace Hotel. Moreover, the program includes Masters, Challengers, Amateurs, Rating, Rapid, and Blitz tournaments.

In addition, the Masters event offers conditions for international title norms. Therefore, Serbia Open 2026 can suit titled players, ambitious competitors, club players, and visitors who want a full summer chess festival in Belgrade.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Masters Tournament

The Masters tournament uses a classical time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game. In addition, each player receives a 30-second increment from move 1.

The Masters event has 9 rounds and uses the Swiss System. Moreover, it counts for FIDE standard rating and provides conditions for international title norms.

Challengers, Amateurs, and Rating Tournament

The Challengers, Amateurs, and Rating tournaments use 60 minutes per player, plus a 30-second increment from move 1.

Challengers and Amateurs each have 9 rounds. Meanwhile, the Rating tournament has 6 rounds.

Byes and Playing System

Players may request half-point byes in the first 6 rounds of the Masters, Challengers, and Amateurs tournaments. In the Rating tournament, players may request half-point byes in the first 4 rounds.

All main classical tournaments use the Swiss System. Therefore, every round can affect the final standings and prize positions.

💰 Prize Fund

Prize Fund Overview

The festival lists €30,300 in confirmed fixed cash prizes, approx. $35,650. In addition, the qualifying blitz tournaments use 100% of entry fees as prize funds.

The Masters tournament has the largest prize fund. However, Challengers, Amateurs, Rating, Rapid, and Blitz events also add prize opportunities during the festival.

Masters Prizes

Challengers Prizes

Amateurs Prizes

Rating Tournament Prizes

Rapid and Blitz Prizes

🏆 Sections / Groups

Masters

The Masters tournament is the strongest festival section. Therefore, it suits titled players, norm seekers, and strong international competitors.

Challengers and Amateurs

The Challengers and Amateurs events give club players separate rating-based sections. As a result, players can choose a more suitable competition level.

Rating, Rapid, and Blitz Events

In addition, the side events create more playing opportunities. Thus, participants can add rapid and blitz chess to the classical festival program.

📅 Schedule

Masters Tournament

Challengers and Amateurs

Rating Tournament

Rapid and Blitz Events

📝 Registration

Registration Details

Players should send applications and accommodation requests before July 9. Moreover, players who book accommodation through the organizer may receive lower entry fees in selected sections.

Masters Entry Fees

Other Entry Fees

Early communication with the organizer is useful. In addition, players should confirm payment instructions before making a transfer.

🧑‍💼 Organizer

The Chess Federation of Serbia organizes Serbia Open 2026 under the patronage of the Ministry of Sports. As a result, the festival combines national federation organization with a large international chess program in Belgrade.

Moreover, the event offers several sections for different playing levels. The wide program also gives players classical chess, rapid chess, blitz chess, norm opportunities, and hotel-based tournament conditions.

Email: serbiaopen@serbiachess.org
Phone: +381 61 2070 856

📍 Venue

Playing Hall

Metropol Palace Hotel – Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 69, Belgrade, Serbia

Venue Notes

The festival takes place at the Metropol Palace Hotel in Belgrade. Therefore, players should use the hotel address when planning arrival, accommodation, and local transport.

The hotel venue also serves as the main accommodation option. As a result, players who stay there can reduce local travel during the tournament.

🏨 Accommodation

Official Hotel Options

The listed hotel prices do not include tourist tax. The tourist tax is paid directly at hotel reception and is listed as RSD 160, or about €1.35, per person per day.

Accommodation Notes

Metropol Palace is the playing venue. In addition, the listed Metropol Palace price includes free high-speed internet and free use of the swimming pool, fitness center, and spa center.

Nobel Palace Hotel and Kod Vuka Hostel are about 600 meters from Metropol Palace. Therefore, both options can work for players who want to stay within walking distance of the venue.

Meals are available at Kod Vuka Hostel for €8 per meal. However, players should confirm final availability with the organizer before booking.

✈️ How to Get There

Travel to Belgrade

Belgrade is Serbia’s capital and has strong regional and international transport connections. Therefore, players can travel by air, train, bus, or car.

The organizer lists an airport transfer option from the airport to the hotel for €30 per vehicle for 1–3 persons. The same price applies for the return trip.

Local Planning

The Masters tournament runs until July 22, while Challengers and Amateurs end on July 19. Therefore, players should choose accommodation dates according to their selected event.

In addition, evening blitz events can extend the daily program. Players who plan to play blitz should keep their evenings free on the listed dates.

ℹ️ Other Information

Grandmaster Conditions

The organizer lists appearance fees for selected GM players, depending on rating. The same conditions apply to women players with IM or WGM titles with a 150-point rating reduction.

These places are limited. Therefore, eligible titled players should contact the organizer early.

Side Events

The Rapid Tournament takes place on July 18 at 16:30. It uses 9 rounds with a time control of 10 minutes + 5 seconds.

The qualifying blitz tournaments take place on six evenings at 21:00. Each uses 11 rounds with 3 minutes + 2 seconds per game.

The five best players from each qualifying blitz tournament advance to the final if they have not already qualified. In addition, the organizer invites two players to the final.

Payment and Travel Notes

Bank commission costs belong to the sender. Therefore, players should make sure the full entry fee reaches the Chess Federation of Serbia.

For special transport requests, players can ask the organizer for a separate offer. Finally, Serbia Open 2026 offers a broad summer chess festival with classical events, rapid chess, blitz chess, strong prizes, and a central Belgrade hotel venue.