First Saturday | Monthly chess tournament | GM-IM-FM norms
📅 Monthly Tournament Dates
Organizers host the prestigious First Saturday Budapest Chess Tournament Series every month in Budapest, Hungary, providing players with opportunities to achieve Grandmaster (GM), International Master (IM), and FIDE Master (FM) norms. The tournaments commence on the first Saturday of each month, with the exception of January. For 2025, the scheduled start dates include:
February 1
March 1
April 5
May 3
June 7
July 5
August 2
September 6
October 4
November 1
December 6
Each tournament spans approximately 9 to 11 days, depending on the number of rounds scheduled.
📍 Venue: Danubius Hotel Budapest
The tournaments are hosted at the Danubius Hotel Budapest, located at:
Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor 47, 1026 Budapest, Hungary
This venue offers comfortable accommodations and modern facilities, providing an ideal environment for competitive play.
🏆 Tournament Structure & Time Control
- Format: Round-robin tournaments for GM and IM sections; Swiss-system for FM sections.
- Rounds: Minimum of 9 rounds, up to 11 rounds.
- Time Control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second increment per move from move one.
- Draw Restrictions: The “Sofia Rule” is enforced, prohibiting draw offers before move 30.
💰 Entry Fees
Entry fees vary based on the player’s FIDE rating and the section entered:
GM Group:
- ELO 2501+: €300
- ELO 2451–2500: €325
- ELO 2401–2450: €350
- ELO 2351–2400: €400
- ELO 2301–2350: €450
- ELO 2251–2300: €550
IM Group:
- ELO 2351+: €200
- ELO 2301–2350: €250
- ELO 2251–2300: €300
- ELO 2201–2250: €350
- ELO 2151–2200: €400
- ELO 2101–2150: €500
FM Group:
- ELO 2001–2100: €140
- ELO 1901–2000: €160
- ELO 1801–1900: €180
- ELO 1701–1800: €200
- ELO 1601–1700: €220
- ELO 1501–1600: €240
- Below 1500: €260
Note: Players are responsible for an annual Hungarian Chess Federation license fee of approximately €20 and a FIDE registration fee of €15 per tournament.
🎖️ Norm Opportunities
The First Saturday tournaments are renowned for providing players with the chance to achieve FIDE title norms:
- GM Norms: Participants must score approximately 6.5–7.5 points, depending on the tournament’s average rating.
- IM Norms: A score of about 5–6 points is typically required.
The tournaments are structured to meet FIDE’s requirements for norm eligibility, including the presence of titled players and international representation.
🏨 Accommodation
Participants are encouraged to stay at the Danubius Hotel Budapest, the tournament venue, which offers convenient access to the playing hall and amenities. Special rates may be available for tournament participants.
📞 Contact Information
For inquiries and registration:
- Organizer: International Organizer László Nagy
- Email: firstsat@hu.inter.net
- Phone/WhatsApp/Viber: +36 30 230 1914
Additional information and application forms are available on the official website.
Participating in the First Saturday Budapest Chess Tournament Series offers a unique opportunity to compete in a structured environment aimed at achieving FIDE title norms. Join us in Budapest to advance your chess career and experience high-level competition.
Additional Details
Playing Venue - Danubius Hotel Budapest
Organizer Phone - +363023019144
Tournament Director - László Nagy
Chief Arbiter - Aux, Liliana Alexandra
Time control - 90min/40moves+30min/end+30sec increment per move starting from move 1 | Sophia rule: no draw before the 30th move
Number of rounds - 9-11
Tournament system - SWISS
Rating - FIDE
Organizer
The First Saturday Chess Tournament Series in Budapest, Hungary, is organized by International Organizer (IO) László Nagy, a prominent figure in the global chess community. Since its inception in 1992, Nagy has been instrumental in providing a consistent platform for players worldwide to achieve FIDE title norms.
🧑💼 Organizer Profile: László Nagy
László Nagy, often referred to as “Mr. First Saturday,” has dedicated over three decades to organizing monthly chess tournaments that cater to aspiring Grandmasters (GM), International Masters (IM), and FIDE Masters (FM). His commitment ensures that players have regular opportunities to compete in norm-eligible events, fostering the growth of chess talent globally.
📍 Venue
The tournaments are held at the Danubius Hotel Budapest, located at:
Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor 47, 1026 Budapest, Hungary
This venue offers comfortable accommodations and modern facilities, providing an ideal environment for competitive play.
📞 Contact Information
For inquiries and registration:
Organizer: László Nagy
Email: firstsat@hu.inter.net
Phone/WhatsApp/Viber: +36 30 230 1914
Additional information and application forms are available on the official website.
Under László Nagy’s leadership, the First Saturday Chess Tournament Series continues to be a cornerstone event for chess players aiming to achieve their title aspirations. The consistent organization and dedication to excellence make it a must-attend series for serious competitors.