European Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2025
The European Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2025 will take place from 27 November to 1 December 2025 in Prishtina, Kosovo, organized by the Chess Federation of Kosovo under the auspices of the European Chess Union (ECU).
The competition will feature Europe’s strongest grandmasters and ambitious players from all ECU member federations, fighting for a total prize fund of €65,000 across two prestigious events — Rapid and Blitz.
The tournaments will be hosted at the modern Hotel Emerald, located on the Prishtina–Skopje Highway, offering world-class playing conditions and hospitality.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 27 November – 1 December 2025 |
| 📍 Location | Hotel Emerald, Prishtina, Kosovo |
| 🏛️ Organizer | Chess Federation of Kosovo under the auspices of European Chess Union |
| 👤 Contact | info@shahu-rks.com |
| 🌍 Website | https://erbcc2025.com |
| 💶 Entry Fee | Rapid €45 (includes €20 ECU fee) • Blitz €35 (includes €10 ECU fee) |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated (Rapid and Blitz lists) |
| 🎯 Eligibility | Open to all players from ECU federations (FIDE Zones 1.1–1.10) |
| ⏰ Registration Deadline | 27 October 2025 |
| 🏦 Bank Details | Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo J.S.C — IBAN: XK051501001001229761 — SWIFT: RBKOXKPR |
⏱️ Time Control & Format
Rapid: 11-round Swiss, 15 minutes + 10 seconds per move
Blitz: 13-round Swiss, 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move
Both tournaments follow the FIDE Laws of Chess and ECU Tournament Rules.
Tie-breaks: Buchholz Cut 1 → Buchholz → More games with Black → More wins.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 27 Nov | 15:00–20:00 | Arrivals & Registration |
| 20:00 | Technical Meeting | |
| Friday, 28 Nov | 10:00 | Opening Ceremony |
| 10:30–13:30 | Rapid Rounds 1–5 | |
| 13:30–15:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 15:30–19:15 | Rapid Rounds 6–8 | |
| Saturday, 29 Nov | 10:00–13:30 | Rapid Rounds 9–11 |
| 13:30–15:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 20:00 | Closing Ceremony (Rapid) | |
| Sunday, 30 Nov | 9:00–10:00 | Blitz Registration |
| 10:30–13:30 | Blitz Rounds 1–6 | |
| 13:30–15:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 15:30–19:00 | Blitz Rounds 7–13 | |
| 19:30 | Closing Ceremony (Blitz) | |
| Monday, 1 Dec | — | Departures |
🏆 Prize Fund
Total: €65,000 (€40,000 Rapid + €25,000 Blitz)
Rapid Championship
| Place | Prize (€) | Place | Prize (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6,000 | 11 | 500 |
| 2 | 4,000 | 12 | 500 |
| 3 | 2,500 | 13 | 450 |
| 4 | 1,800 | 14 | 450 |
| 5 | 1,500 | 15 | 400 |
| 6 | 1,300 | 16 | 400 |
| 7 | 1,200 | 17 | 350 |
| 8 | 1,050 | 18 | 300 |
| 9 | 950 | 19 | 300 |
| 10 | 850 | 20 | 300 |
Blitz Championship
| Place | Prize (€) | Place | Prize (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4,000 | 11 | 500 |
| 2 | 2,500 | 12 | 500 |
| 3 | 1,700 | 13 | 450 |
| 4 | 1,400 | 14 | 450 |
| 5 | 1,150 | 15 | 400 |
| 6 | 1,000 | 16 | 400 |
| 7 | 750 | 17 | 350 |
| 8 | 600 | 18 | 300 |
| 9 | 550 | 19 | 300 |
| 10 | 550 | 20 | 300 |
Special Prizes (Rapid & Blitz):
Best Woman Player: €400 / €300 / €200
Best Senior (born ≤1960): €200 / €100
Best U20, U18, U16, U14 (and Girls U20–U14): €200 / €100
Best rated ≤2600, ≤2500, ≤2400, ≤2200, ≤2000, ≤1800, ≤1600, ≤1400
Best Kosovo players (overall, women, youth): €200 / €100
Total of 40+ special category prizes available.
🏨 Venue & Accommodation
Playing Venue:
Hotel Emerald *****, Prishtina–Skopje Highway, 10000 Prishtina
Website: https://www.emeraldhotel.info
| Room Type | Bed Type / Size (cm) | Board | Price (€ per night) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Room | 110×200 | Bed & Breakfast | 96 |
| Single Room | 180×200 | Half Board | 119 |
| Twin Room | 110×200 | Bed & Breakfast | 120 |
| Twin Room | 180×200 | Half Board | 166 |
Additional hotels available if needed.
Free accommodation for top 10 players.
GM-rated 2650+ may apply for complimentary stay via email.
🚗 Transfers
Official arrival/departure dates: 27 November & 1 December 2025.
Organizer provides airport transfers from Prishtina International Airport (Adem Jashari).
Price: €20 return ticket (paid with registration).
Transport on other days available upon request.
🛂 Visas
Players requiring visas must contact the Organizing Committee before 27 October 2025.
Schengen visa holders do not require an additional entry visa for Kosovo.
Official invitation letters provided upon request once hotel booking is confirmed.
👥 Organizer
Chess Federation of Kosovo
Rrustem Statovci Street 20, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo
Email: info@shahu-rks.com
Website: https://erbcc2025.com
Bring your best speed chess form to the heart of the Balkans — experience the thrill of European Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship 2025 in Prishtina, Kosovo — a festival of mind, precision, and passion! ♟️
Additional Details
Playing Venue - Grand Hotel Pristina
Organizer - Chess Federation of Kosovo
Organizer
The Chess Federation of Kosovo (CFK) serves as the official governing body for chess activities within the Republic of Kosovo. Established in 1990, CFK is dedicated to promoting and developing the game of chess across the nation. The federation organizes national tournaments, facilitates training programs, and represents Kosovo in international chess events under the auspices of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the European Chess Union (ECU).