The Asian Seniors Chess Championships 2025 welcomes players aged 50+ and 65+ to the historic city of Erbil, Iraq, for a prestigious event under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE. From October 4–14, 2025, senior chess enthusiasts will compete in both Standard and Blitz formats, aiming for medals, cash prizes, and even direct FIDE titles.
🏆 Event Highlights and Player Eligibility
- Dates: October 4–14, 2025
- Location: Erbil, Iraq
- Venue & Hotel: Van Royal Hotel ★★★★★ (Erbil, Iraq)
- Eligibility: Open to all players over 50 or 65 years old by December 31, 2025, with valid FIDE ID and federation membership
- Categories: Open 50+, Open 65+, and prizes for Best Women in both categories
- System: 9-round Swiss, FIDE-rated
- Blitz Championship: October 13, 2025
♟ Event Details and Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Festival / Event | Asian Seniors Chess Championships 2025 |
| Dates | October 4–14, 2025 |
| City | Erbil, Iraq |
| Venue & Hotel | Van Royal Hotel ★★★★★ |
| Format | 9-round Swiss-system, FIDE Laws of Chess |
| Time Control (Standard) | 90 minutes for the whole game + 30″ increment from move 1 |
| Time Control (Blitz) | 3 minutes + 2″ increment |
| Default Time | 30 minutes |
⏰ Tournament Schedule — Erbil 2025
| Day | Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat | Oct 4 | — | Arrival & Check-in (14:00) |
| Sun | Oct 5 | 09:00 | Technical Meeting |
| 10:00 | Opening Ceremony & Round 1 | ||
| Mon | Oct 6 | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| Tue | Oct 7 | 10:00 | Round 3 |
| Wed | Oct 8 | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| Thu | Oct 9 | 10:00 | Round 5 |
| Fri | Oct 10 | 10:00 | Round 6 |
| Sat | Oct 11 | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| Sun | Oct 12 | 10:00 | Round 8 |
| Mon | Oct 13 | 10:00 | Round 9 |
| 16:00 | Blitz Championship | ||
| Evening | Closing Ceremony | ||
| Tue | Oct 14 | — | Departure |
💰 Prize Fund and Awards
- Total Prizes (Standard): $3,000 USD
- Medals & Certificates: Top three in each category (Standard & Blitz)
- Cash Prizes — Over 50 (Standard):
- 1st: $500
- 2nd: $400
- 3rd: $300
- 4th: $200
- 5th: $150
- 6th: $150
- Best Woman: $300
- Cash Prizes — Over 65 (Standard):
- 1st: $350
- 2nd: $200
- 3rd: $150
- 4th: $100
- 5th: $100
- Best Woman: $100
- Blitz: Gold, Silver, Bronze medals and certificates
🏅 Direct FIDE Titles
- Gold medallist (Standard Open) → GM Norm
- Top 3 (Standard Open) → IM Title
- Silver & Bronze (Standard Open) → IM Norm + FM Title
Minimum rating requirements apply (IM = 2200, FM = 2100).
🛎 Registration and Fees
- Entry Fee: $100 USD per player
- Registration Fee: $110 USD (includes accreditation and airport transfers)
- Deadline: September 4, 2025
- Late Fee: +$50 USD after September 4
- Requirements: Registration form, passport copy, ID photo
🏨 Accommodation — Van Royal Hotel ★★★★★
- Single Room: $110 per night (full board)
- Twin Room: $80 per person per night (full board)
- Includes: 3 meals/day, access to playing hall, accreditation
- All players (except locals) must stay in the official hotel
✈️ Transfers
- Airport Transfers: Provided by the organizer (arrival & departure) from Erbil International Airport to Van Royal Hotel and back
- Deadline to submit travel details: October 1, 2025
🏛 Organizer — Iraqi Chess Federation
The Iraqi Chess Federation, under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE, proudly hosts the Asian Seniors Chess Championships 2025. With experience in organizing national and international events, the Federation ensures professional standards, fair play, and excellent hospitality in Erbil.
Contact:
- Mr. Dhafer Al-Madhloom — President of Iraqi Chess Federation
- Email: [email protected]
- Mobile: +964 7702262264, +964 7800011119
- Mr. Amjed Alaa Abbas — General Secretary
- Email: [email protected]
- Asian Chess Federation
- Email: [email protected]
🔥 Why You Should Participate — Asian Seniors Chess Championships 2025
- Compete for medals, cash prizes, and direct FIDE titles in Standard and Blitz formats
- Experience Erbil — one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, blending heritage with modern hospitality
- Stay in 5-star comfort at the Van Royal Hotel with full board included
- Professional organization under Asian Chess Federation & FIDE supervision
- Meet fellow seniors from across Asia, sharing passion, culture, and the love of chess
Additional Details
Playing Venue - Van Royal Hotel ★★★★★
Organizer - Iraqi Chess Federation
Organizer Phone - +964 7702262264
Organizer email - [email protected]
Tournament Director - Mr. Dhafer Al-Madhloom
Time control - 90 minutes for the whole game + 30″ increment from move 1
Number of rounds - 9
Tournament system - SWISS
Rating - FIDE
Organizer
The Iraqi Chess Federation (ICF) is the official governing body of chess in Iraq, responsible for promoting, regulating, and developing the game nationwide. As a recognized member of both the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the ICF organizes national championships, youth development programs, international invitationals, and represents Iraq in regional and world-level competitions.
The Federation has a long tradition of fostering talent at both grassroots and elite levels. It has nurtured many of Iraq’s strongest players, organized regular training camps, and collaborated with schools and universities to introduce chess to younger generations. The ICF is also committed to using chess as a tool for education, social inclusion, and cultural exchange, helping the game flourish across different regions of Iraq.
In hosting the Asian Seniors Chess Championships 2025 in Erbil, the Federation underscores its capacity to stage high-level events under international standards. With the support of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE, it brings together senior players from across Asia, ensuring world-class playing conditions, five-star accommodation, reliable logistics, and a welcoming environment that reflects both Iraqi hospitality and international chess professionalism.