Chess lovers can plan a full week at the Bled Chess Festival 2026 from Monday, March 9 to Sunday, March 15, 2026 in Bled, Slovenia. The festival welcomes ambitious amateurs and titled players who want a professionally organized, FIDE-rated event in one of Slovenia’s most iconic destinations. The main tournament runs as a 9-round Swiss with Baku accelerated pairings and a classical-style time control designed for high-quality play.

The festival builds a complete chess holiday around the main event, with multiple rating groups and a €6,000 prize fund. You can also join scheduled side events during the week, including evening chess sessions, a simultaneous exhibition, a late-night blitz, and additional rapid and blitz activities. The organizers host the festival at the Rikli Balance Hotel Congress Centre in central Bled with views and attractions that make the trip worthwhile for both players and companions.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizers offer a €6,000 prize fund and award prizes across multiple rating groups to increase winning chances for a wider range of participants.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The main tournament runs 9 rounds in a Swiss system with Baku accelerated pairings.

Time control:

• Each player receives 75 minutes plus 30 seconds per move.

• After move 40, each player receives an additional 15 minutes, and the game continues with the 30-second increment.

Key playing rules:

• The tournament enforces a 30-minute default time for late arrival.

• The organizers allow a maximum of three byes worth ½ point each.

• Players must follow FIDE Fair Play requirements.

• The playing hall prohibits electronic devices.

• The organizers encourage a dress code.

📂 Sections / Groups

The festival awards prizes across multiple rating groups within the main tournament. The organizers allow participation for players with FIDE Elo 2300 or below, and titled players can also participate when they meet the rating limit at registration and payment.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

Players with a FIDE ID can register through the festival website or by email.

Website: https://www.chess-festival.com/bled
Email: bled@sah-ljubljana.si

Registration timing:

• Players must confirm registration on Monday, March 9, 2026 by 14:00.

The website allows players to choose a package and pay online. The published package pricing lists per-person prices (shared double room) and includes early bird pricing valid until January 5, 2026.

👥 Organizer

Brainiac64 d.o.o. organizes the festival in cooperation with Tajfun-ŠK Ljubljana and runs the event program, tournament operations, and participant support throughout the week.

Phone: +386 31 321 518
Email: bled@sah-ljubljana.si
Website: https://www.chess-festival.com/bled

🏨 Venue

The festival takes place at the Rikli Balance Hotel Congress Centre, Cankarjeva cesta 4, Bled, Slovenia. The congress center sits in the heart of Bled and provides a professional playing environment designed for a full-week chess program.

🛎️ Accommodation

The festival offers packages that include accommodation in official hotels in Bled.

🚗 How to Get There

You can travel to Bled and continue to the town center, where the Rikli Balance Hotel Congress Centre sits on Cankarjeva cesta. Many festival activities take place within walking distance of central Bled locations.

Join a week of serious chess and a festival-style program in Bled, where the main tournament and the setting combine into a memorable chess trip.

🧾 Other

• The organizers do not allow cumulative prizes, and players must attend the closing ceremony to receive prizes.

• The playing hall strictly forbids electronic devices.

• The organizers encourage a dress code.