European Youth Chess Championship 2025
The European Youth Chess Championship 2025 will gather the continent’s most talented young chess players for a prestigious competition in the beautiful city of Budva, Montenegro. Organized by the European Chess Union (ECU) in collaboration with the Montenegro Chess Federation, this major event will feature players competing in Open and Girls categories across six different age groups, ensuring an exciting and vibrant chess celebration.
📅 Event Dates
- Arrival Day: 28 October 2025
- Opening Ceremony: 29 October 2025
- Rounds 1–9: 29 October – 7 November 2025
- Closing Ceremony: 7 November 2025
- Departure Day: 8 November 2025
The European Youth Chess Championship 2025 will take place at the heart of Montenegro’s coastal gem, Budva.
⏰ Time Control
Each player will receive 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move one.
🗓️ Schedule
| Date | Activity | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 28 October 2025 | Arrival | All day |
| 29 October 2025 | Opening Ceremony and Round 1 | 15:00 |
| 30 October 2025 | Round 2 | 15:00 |
| 31 October 2025 | Round 3 | 15:00 |
| 1 November 2025 | Round 4 | 15:00 |
| 2 November 2025 | Round 5 | 15:00 |
| 3 November 2025 | Round 6 | 15:00 |
| 4 November 2025 | Round 7 | 15:00 |
| 5 November 2025 | Round 8 | 15:00 |
| 6 November 2025 | Free Day / Optional Events | – |
| 7 November 2025 | Round 9 and Closing Ceremony | 10:00 / 18:00 |
| 8 November 2025 | Departure | All day |
🎯 Number of Rounds
Organizers will conduct a 9-round Swiss system tournament. Players will compete within the following categories:
- Open and Girls U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18.
🏆 Prize Fund and Prizes
The European Youth Chess Championship 2025 guarantees a minimum total prize fund and presents valued at €20,000.
- The top three players in each age group will receive gold, silver, and bronze medals.
- The top five players in each age group will earn cups, diplomas, and valuable prizes.
- Organizers will present special gifts to all participants.
- They will distribute all awards during the Closing Ceremony on 7 November 2025.
Winners may also achieve direct FIDE titles according to ECU and FIDE title regulations.
📝 Registration and Participation Information
- Only federations affiliated with the ECU may register participants.
- Players must be born on or after 1 January 2007 to participate (U18 category cutoff).
- Federations must complete registration by 26 August 2025.
- Each federation may register an unlimited number of players in each category.
Registration Fees:
- Official Players: €100
- Additional Players: €150
Players must also pay an organization fee of €120, covering transport and accreditation.
💳 Payment Details
Federations must transfer all payments by 5 September 2025 to the official organizer’s bank account:
- Bank: CKB Banka AD Podgorica
- Account Name: Chess Federation of Montenegro
- IBAN: ME25530005220000330377
- SWIFT: CKBCMEPG
Late payments will incur a €100 surcharge.
🏨 Venue Information
- Location: Hotel Mediteran and other selected hotels in Budva, Montenegro.
- Playing Hall: Conference and event halls within the hotels.
Organizers will offer special accommodation packages for participants and accompanying persons.
✈️ Travel and Accommodation
- Participants must plan their arrival at Tivat (TIV), Podgorica (TGD), or Dubrovnik (DBV) airports.
- Organizers will arrange airport transfers for all participants and accompanying persons who book through the official organizers.
🏢 Organizer Information
Organizer: Chess Federation of Montenegro, under the auspices of the European Chess Union (ECU).
Contact Information:
- Phone: +382 69 751 999
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: eycc25.me
🎖️ Tournament Director
- Name: GM Nikola Đukić (President of Montenegro Chess Federation)
🧑⚖️ Chief Arbiter
- Name: IA Adrian Mikhalchishin
🌐 Official Website
Stay updated with full information, registration forms, official documents, and results at: eycc25.me
Additional Details
Prize Fund - €20,000
Organizer - Chess Federation of Montenegro
Organizer Phone - +382 67 600 471
Organizer email - [email protected]
Tournament Director - GM Nikola Đukić
Chief Arbiter - IA Adrian Mikhalchishin
Time control - 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move one.
Number of rounds - 9
Tournament system - SWISS
Rating - FIDE
Organizer
The Chess Federation of Montenegro (Šahovski savez Crne Gore) serves as the official governing body for chess activities in Montenegro. Established on 6 February 1949, the federation has been instrumental in promoting chess throughout the country, organizing national championships, and representing Montenegro in international chess events.
Established on August 30, 1985, the European Chess Union (ECU) serves as the official governing body for chess in Europe. With its headquarters in Hünenberg See, Switzerland, the ECU unites 54 national chess federations, coordinating a wide array of tournaments and initiatives to promote the game throughout the continent.
♟️ Mission and Activities
The ECU’s primary objectives include:
- Organizing prestigious events such as the European Individual Championships, European Team Championships, European Club Cups, and European Youth Championships.
- Promoting chess education and development across member federations.
- Collaborating with the World Chess Federation (FIDE) to align European chess activities with global standards.
👥 Leadership
The ECU is led by a dedicated board elected for four-year terms. The current leadership includes:
- President: Zurab Azmaiparashvili
- Deputy President: Dana Reizniece-Ozola
- Secretary General: Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou
- Treasurer: Ion-Serban Dobronauteanu
For a complete list of board members and their roles, please visit the official ECU website.