Grazer Sommerblitzcup 2026 is an eleven-stage FIDE-rated blitz series held in Graz, Austria, from June 28 to September 13, 2026. The series rotates between JÖSSAS, Flann O’Brien, and the Postsportverein Graz premises.
Every stage consists of eleven Swiss rounds at a time control of 3 minutes plus 2 seconds per move. Players may enter individual stages, while the overall cup standings count each player’s best eight results.
Each stage awards €180 in fixed cash prizes, producing a complete published series total of €1,980. Additional material awards recognize youth, rating groups, the best woman, and a lucky winner.
📌 Event Details
| 📅 Dates | June 28–September 13, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Graz, Austria |
| 🏛️ Venues | JÖSSAS, Flann O’Brien, and Postsportverein Graz |
| 👤 Organizers | Postsportverein Graz and Verein Schach und Mindsports |
| ♟️ Format | Eleven separate Swiss-system blitz tournaments with an overall cup classification |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE blitz rating |
| 🏁 Sections | Open field with category and overall-series awards |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 3 minutes plus 2 seconds per move |
| 🔢 Rounds | 11 rounds at each stage |
| 💰 Total Cash Prize Fund | €1,980 / approx. $2,260 across all eleven stages |
| 🌐 Official Regulations | https://chess-results.com/Download/Kalender/2026_08_02_Grazer%20Sommerblitzcup%20Ausschreibung_final_korrigiert.pdf |
| 📝 Registration Email | jugend@schachzentrum.at |
| 📝 Registration WhatsApp | +43 660 4288966 |
| ♟️ Chess-Results – Stage 1 | https://chess-results.com/tnr1430863.aspx?lan=1 |
| ♟️ Chess-Results – Stage 2 | https://chess-results.com/tnr1437744.aspx?lan=1 |
| ♟️ Chess-Results – Stage 3 | https://chess-results.com/tnr1430865.aspx?lan=1 |
| ♟️ Chess-Results – Stage 4 | https://chess-results.com/tnr1437745.aspx?lan=1 |
⏰ Time Control & Pairings
Every stage uses the Swiss system over eleven rounds. Each player receives 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment from move one.
The published tie-break order is points, Buchholz Cut 1, total Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, and number of wins.
🏆 Prize Fund
Every one of the eleven stages publishes the same fixed cash-prize schedule:
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | €90 / approx. $110 |
| 2nd Place | €60 / approx. $70 |
| 3rd Place | €30 / approx. $40 |
| Cash total per stage | €180 / approx. $210 |
| Cash total across 11 stages | €1,980 / approx. $2,260 |
The `_prize_fund` field is populated with $2,260 because the complete eleven-stage cash schedule is fixed and non-overlapping. Approximate USD amounts are rounded upward to the next $10.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Classification | Award / Condition |
|---|---|
| Open Classification | All eligible participants at each stage |
| U18 | Material prize when at least three eligible players participate |
| Under 2100 | Material prize when at least three eligible players participate |
| Under 1900 | Material prize when at least three eligible players participate |
| Under 1700 | Material prize when at least three eligible players participate |
| Best Woman | Material prize when at least three eligible players participate |
| Lucky Winner | Free entry to the next stage |
| Overall Cup | The best eight stage results count; points are added across those events |
🗓️ Schedule
| Stage | Date | Venue | Registration Deadline | Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 28 | JÖSSAS – Stremayrgasse 15 | 16:30 | 17:00 |
| 2 | July 26 | Flann O’Brien – Paradeisgasse 1 | 16:00 | 16:30 |
| 3 | July 28 | JÖSSAS – Stremayrgasse 15 | 16:30 | 17:00 |
| 4 | August 2 | Flann O’Brien – Paradeisgasse 1 | 16:00 | 16:30 |
| 5 | August 9 | Flann O’Brien – Paradeisgasse 1 | 16:00 | 16:30 |
| 6 | August 16 | Flann O’Brien – Paradeisgasse 1 | 16:00 | 16:30 |
| 7 | August 18 | JÖSSAS – Stremayrgasse 15 | 16:30 | 17:00 |
| 8 | August 23 | Flann O’Brien – Paradeisgasse 1 | 16:00 | 16:30 |
| 9 | August 30 | Flann O’Brien – Paradeisgasse 1 | 16:00 | 16:30 |
| 10 | September 6 | Flann O’Brien – Paradeisgasse 1 | 16:00 | 16:30 |
| 11 | September 13 | Postsportverein – Herrgottwiesgasse 260 | 16:00 | 16:30 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Adult entry per stage | €15 / approx. $20 |
| U18 entry per stage | €10 / approx. $20 |
| Late registration on the tournament day | Additional €5 / approx. $10 |
| Discount from the seventh participation | €5 / approx. $10 reduction |
| JÖSSAS and final-stage registration | jugend@schachzentrum.at |
| Flann O’Brien registration | +43 660 4288966 via WhatsApp |
Players may participate in individual stages. To compete effectively in the overall classification, note that the best eight results are counted.
👤 Organizer
Postsportverein Graz organizes the JÖSSAS stages and the final tournament. Verein Schach und Mindsports organizes the Flann O’Brien stages.
| Organizer 1 | Postsportverein Graz |
| Organizer 2 | Verein Schach und Mindsports |
| Arbiter – JÖSSAS | Philipp Raeke |
| Arbiter – Flann O’Brien | Robert Kreisl |
| Final-Stage Arbiters | Robert Kreisl and Philipp Raeke |
| jugend@schachzentrum.at | |
| Phone / WhatsApp | +43 660 4288966 |
| Postsportverein Website | https://www.postsvgrazschach.at/ |
| Flann O’Brien Website | https://www.flannobrien.eu/ |
📍 Venue
JÖSSAS – Stremayrgasse 15, 8010 Graz, Austria.
Flann O’Brien – Paradeisgasse 1, 8010 Graz, Austria.
Postsportverein Graz – Herrgottwiesgasse 260, 8055 Graz, Austria.
The series uses three venues. Confirm the correct stage location before travelling because the start time and registration deadline depend on the venue.
🏨 Accommodation
| Hotel / Option | Practical Location | Indicative Price | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| a&o Graz Hauptbahnhof | Near Graz Main Station; practical for rail arrivals and local transport to all venues | from about $59 per night | https://www.expedia.com/Graz-Hotels-Ao-Graz-Hauptbahnhof.h5964758.Hotel-Information |
| Hotel Weitzer Graz | Central Graz; convenient for the city-center stages | from about $124 per night | https://www.expedia.com/Graz-Hotels-Hotel-Weitzer-Graz.h646.Hotel-Information |
Prices are indicative rates observed in June 2026. Recheck the relevant stage date, taxes, room type, and cancellation conditions before booking.
🚗 How to Get There
| Starting Point | Recommended Route | Approx. Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Graz Airport by train | Walk to Flughafen Graz-Feldkirchen station, take the S-Bahn to Graz Hauptbahnhof, then continue by tram, bus, or taxi to the relevant venue. | Approximately 30–50 minutes total |
| Graz Airport by bus | Take Bus 630 via Puntigam to Zentralfriedhof and change to Tram 5 toward the city center. | Approximately 35–55 minutes |
| Graz Hauptbahnhof | Use city tram or bus services to central Graz for JÖSSAS or Flann O’Brien; use a southbound local connection or taxi for Herrgottwiesgasse. | Approximately 10–25 minutes |
| Jakominiplatz / central Graz | Walk or take a short local connection to Stremayrgasse or Paradeisgasse. | Approximately 5–15 minutes |
| By car | Check city-center parking for JÖSSAS and Flann O’Brien. The final venue is at Herrgottwiesgasse 260 in southern Graz. | Traffic and parking dependent |
Graz Airport is served by both train and bus. Check the live route for the specific stage date and allow time to reach the venue before the published registration deadline.
ℹ️ Other Information
- The overall cup awards exclusive material prizes after the final stage.
- Only the best eight stage results count toward the overall classification.
- Category material prizes require at least three participants in the relevant category.
- The four supplied Chess-Results links cover the first four published stages; later stages use separate tournament records as they are created.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,260
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Postsportverein Graz – Sektion Schach is an established chess club based in Graz, Austria. The chess section was founded in February 1992 by Peter Ripper within the wider Postsportverein Graz sports association.
The club welcomes women and men of different ages and playing strengths. Its membership includes beginners, regular club players, and experienced titled competitors. Members can attend club evenings, play informal games, prepare for tournaments, and represent the organization in team competitions.
Prof. Dr. Stefan Spirk serves as Head of the Chess Section. The club’s regular chess evenings take place at JÖSSAS in central Graz, where members and visitors can meet in an informal and welcoming environment.
🏆 Tournaments and Team Chess
Postsportverein Graz participates in Styrian and Graz team competitions. Its teams have competed in the Styrian Landesliga and several regional divisions. This structure gives members access to suitable competition at different playing levels.
The club also organizes rapid and blitz tournaments. Its recurring activities have included the Steirisches Post-Aktivschach-Turnier, open blitz events under the title Matt im JÖSSAS, and competitions connected with the Styrian Youth Chess Rally.
In 2026, the club co-organizes the Grazer Sommerblitzcup with Verein Schach und Mindsports. Several stages take place at JÖSSAS, while the final event brings both organizing groups together. The tournaments use a FIDE-rated blitz format and welcome players from Graz and the wider region.
Philipp Raeke regularly serves as tournament director and arbiter for the club’s blitz events. He also supports the organization of competitions and the club’s online communications.
🌱 Club Life and Chess Development
Postsportverein Graz combines league competition with accessible community chess. New players can visit a club evening before deciding whether to join. Meanwhile, experienced competitors can find strong practice partners and regular rated events.
The club also supports junior chess through tournaments and cooperation with Styrian youth initiatives. Simultaneous exhibitions, training evenings, and open competitions provide additional opportunities to learn and play.
Through more than three decades of activity, the chess section has maintained an active place within the Graz chess community. It continues to support competitive players while remaining open to beginners and recreational participants.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
