“Goris Open” International Chess Tournament 2025
The “Goris Open” 2025 brings a full international festival to Goris, Syunik Province, Armenia, blending strong competition with mountain-town charm and warm hospitality. Organized by the Chess Academy of Armenia together with the Syunik Chess Federation, the event features two rating-based sections, generous prizes, and professional arbiters.
Played at the historic Goris Hotel, this FIDE-rated open offers a clear schedule, classical time controls, and great conditions for title norms — all in one of Armenia’s most scenic regions.
Event Details
| 📅 Dates | 11–21 November 2025 (Arrival 11 Nov • Closing 20 Nov • Departure 21 Nov) |
| 📍 Location | Goris Hotel, 53 Movses Khorenatsi St., Goris, Syunik Province, Armenia |
| 🏆 Prize Fund | 10,000,000 AMD (≈ USD 26,000; taxes per RA law) |
| ♟️ Tournament Type | FIDE-rated international open (Groups A & B) |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 9 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | Group A: 90’/40 + 15’ + 30″ • Group B: 90’ + 30″ |
| ⏰ Late Arrival | 30 minutes default time |
| tournaments@chessacademy.am | |
| ☎️ Phone | +374 10 44 84 73 • +374 43 44 84 73 • +374 91 19 25 14 |
| 🔗 Official Website | chessacademy.am |
| 📊 Pairings & Results | Chess-Results (event page) |
Prize Fund & Breakdown
Group A – Main Prizes (AMD)
| Place | Amount | Place | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,400,000 | 6 | 350,000 |
| 2 | 1,800,000 | 7 | 250,000 |
| 3 | 1,400,000 | 8–10 | 150,000 each |
| 4 | 750,000 | — | — |
| 5 | 500,000 | — | — |
Special Prizes (A): U2200 (120k), U2100 (100k), Women 1st (130k) & 2nd (110k), U16 (100k), Best Syunik (100k). Prizes are not shared; one prize per player (main takes precedence).
Group B – Main & Special Prizes (AMD)
| Main (Places 1–7) | Amount | Special Categories | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 300,000 | Senior 50+ | 50,000 |
| 2 | 200,000 | Senior 65+ | 60,000 |
| 3 | 150,000 | Women 1st / 2nd | 60,000 / 50,000 |
| 4 | 100,000 | U14 / U14 Girls | 50,000 / 40,000 |
| 5 | 70,000 | U12 | 40,000 |
| 6 | 60,000 | Best Syunik | 60,000 |
| 7 | 50,000 | — | — |
Partner awards: ChessMood subscriptions • Chessify winner: $1,500 ChessifyCoin.
Time Control & Pairings
- System: 9-round Swiss
- Group A: 90’ for 40 moves + 15’ to finish, 30″ from move 1
- Group B: 90’ for the game, 30″ from move 1
- Pairings: Swiss-Manager • FIDE rated
- Tiebreaks: Cut-Buchholz-1, Buchholz, Direct Encounter, More Blacks, Most Wins
Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility / Notes |
|---|---|
| Group A | FIDE ≥2000 (limited exceptions for promising juniors <2000 with extra fee) |
| Group B | FIDE <2100; limited unrated entries |
Schedule
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tue 11 Nov | Arrival • Opening Ceremony | 14:00 • 18:00 |
| Wed 12 Nov | Round 1 | 15:00 |
| Thu 13 Nov | Round 2 | 15:00 |
| Fri 14 Nov | Round 3 | 15:00 |
| Sat 15 Nov | Round 4 | 15:00 |
| Sun 16 Nov | Round 5 | 10:30 |
| Sun 16 Nov | Round 6 | 16:00 |
| Mon 17 Nov | Free Day • Blitz | — • 19:30 |
| Tue 18 Nov | Round 7 | 15:00 |
| Wed 19 Nov | Round 8 | 15:00 |
| Thu 20 Nov | Round 9 • Closing | 10:30 • 17:00 |
| Fri 21 Nov | Departure | — |
Registration
Entry Fees (AMD) — Group A (tiered by rating/title & date):
| Category | ≤ 30.09 | 01–31.10 | 01–07.11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GM/WGM; ≥2450 | Free | Free | Free |
| 2301–2450 (IM/WIM) | 15,000 | 20,000 | 40,000 |
| 2301–2450 (FM) | 20,000 | 25,000 | 50,000 |
| 2301–2450 (Untitled) | 25,000 | 30,000 | 60,000 |
| 2201–2300 (IM/WIM) | 20,000 | 25,000 | 50,000 |
| 2201–2300 (FM) | 25,000 | 30,000 | 60,000 |
| 2201–2300 (Untitled) | 30,000 | 35,000 | 70,000 |
| 2001–2200 (IM/WIM) | 30,000 | 35,000 | 70,000 |
| 2001–2200 (FM) | 35,000 | 40,000 | 80,000 |
| 2001–2200 (Untitled) | 45,000 | 50,000 | 100,000 |
Group B (AMD): • 1800–2100: 20,000 → 25,000 → 50,000 • Under 1800: 25,000 → 30,000 → 60,000 • Unrated (limited): 30,000 → 35,000 → 70,000
Discounts: Chess Academy students/coaches –20% • Syunik players –50% • Armenian U8–U18 medalists –50% (refunds deduct 20% handling).
Payment: Bank transfer to “Chess Academy of Armenia” Fund (Ameriabank CJSC).
Admin/Hotels/Transport: Chess Academy of Armenia, 34 Shevchenko St., Yerevan 0050.
Organizer
The Chess Academy of Armenia with the Syunik Chess Federation delivers a norm-friendly festival with experienced arbiters and partners.
- Organizer: Chess Academy of Armenia • Syunik Chess Federation
- Email: tournaments@chessacademy.am
- Phone: +374 10 44 84 73 • +374 43 44 84 73 • +374 91 19 25 14
- Website: chessacademy.am
Venue
Goris Hotel, 53 Movses Khorenatsi St., Goris, Syunik — Google Maps
Comfortable hall with mountain views, walkable city center, and easy access to cafés and services.
Accommodation
Partner hotels (limited rooms): Khoreayi Dzor, Mina Hotel, Mthnadzor Hotel (single/double/triple; breakfast or full board). Rates per person, per night; early booking strongly advised.
How to Get There
- By air: Fly to Yerevan (EVN) → approx. 4.5–5h road transfer to Goris (organizer can assist).
- By road: Intercity buses/minivans to Goris; taxis widely available.
Play classical chess at altitude — competitive rounds, generous prizes, and unforgettable Syunik landscapes!
Organizer
Chess Academy of Armenia is a leading Armenian chess academy and national-level tournament organizer based in Yerevan, Armenia. Over the years, it has become one of the country’s most visible centers for elite and scholastic chess development. As a result, it is closely associated with structured training pathways and official chess programming.
In addition, the academy runs a broad calendar of FIDE-rated tournament activity and training-driven events, spanning classical chess, rapid chess, and blitz chess formats. It also supports Armenia’s widely known Chess in Schools ecosystem through dedicated programming and coordination. Moreover, the academy regularly hosts international youth competitions and memorial events, combining strong playing conditions with consistent event operations.
Furthermore, the academy emphasizes a long-term junior chess program approach, helping students move from fundamentals to rated competition. For example, its in-house sections and club activity provide frequent practical play under formal rules. Consequently, Chess Academy of Armenia remains a key destination for chess training and organized tournament chess in Yerevan.
