The Guba Open 2026 – 2nd International Chess Festival will take place from September 3 to 10, 2026, in Guba, Azerbaijan. The festival is dedicated to the memory of International Arbiter Gudrat Ismayilov, who made an important contribution to the development of chess in Azerbaijan.

The international program includes three classical tournament groups, separate GM and IM norm tournaments, and additional Rapid and Blitz competitions. Group A is intended for players rated 1900 or higher, Group B is for players rated up to 1899, while Group C is reserved for players under 12 years old.

The main classical competition will be played from September 4 to 10 over nine Swiss-system rounds. The published total festival prize fund is AZN 24,420 / approximately $14,370. Games will be played at the Guba Olympic Sports Complex and Arena Grand Hotel, approximately four kilometres from central Guba.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The main classical competition is played over nine Swiss-system rounds. Groups A, B and C are included within the main tournament record but have separate eligibility requirements, standings and prize classifications.

Each player receives 90 minutes for the entire game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move from move one.

Main Classical Tournament

Players must check their assigned group before the first round. They should also verify that their full name, federation, FIDE ID, rating and age category are listed correctly.

Additional Festival Competitions

Players entering the Rapid or Blitz tournament should confirm whether a separate application or entry fee is required.

🏆 Prize Fund

The published total prize fund for the Guba Open 2026 festival is AZN 24,420 / approximately $14,370.

The festival includes prizes across its classical, junior and speed-chess competitions. Eligibility conditions may differ between the groups and special categories.

Players should verify the following before entering:

• Rating and age requirements for each prize category
• Tie-break criteria
• Prize-sharing rules
• Whether a player may receive more than one prize
• Conditions for collecting or receiving prize money
• Required bank or identification documents
• Attendance requirements for the awards ceremony

The organizer’s latest published prize table takes precedence over earlier announcements or promotional materials.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The festival includes three main classical groups, two title-norm tournaments, and separate Rapid and Blitz competitions.

Group A

Group A is open to players with a published Elo rating of 1900 or higher. It is the strongest classical section and includes grandmasters, international masters, other titled players and experienced international competitors.

Chess-Results:

https://chess-results.com/tnr1455467.aspx?lan=1

Group B

Group B is open to players with a published Elo rating of 1899 or lower. Players should ensure that they enter the correct section based on the rating list applied by the organizer.

Group C

Group C is reserved for players under 12 years old. Parents and coaches should verify the applicable date-of-birth requirement and whether proof of age must be presented.

A junior who meets the rating requirement for another group should confirm the correct placement with the organizer before registering.

GM Norm Tournament

The separate GM norm tournament is intended to provide eligible participants with an opportunity to achieve a Grandmaster norm.

Participation depends on the final player composition, title requirements, federation representation and organizer approval.

Chess-Results:

https://chess-results.com/tnr1447338.aspx?lan=1

IM Norm Tournament

The separate IM norm tournament provides eligible participants with an opportunity to achieve an International Master norm.

Entry is not automatically granted through the main open registration form. Interested players should contact the tournament director directly.

Chess-Results:

https://chess-results.com/tnr1447339.aspx?lan=1

📅 Schedule

The official festival period is September 3–10, 2026. Chess-Results lists the main nine-round classical tournament from September 4 to 10.

A reliable round-by-round 2026 timetable has not yet been published on the official schedule page. Therefore, exact starting times, double-round days and side-event times should not be copied from an older timetable.

Official schedule:

https://gubaopen.chess.az/schedule/

Players should confirm the following before arranging their return journey:

• First-round reporting time
• Opening ceremony
• Double-round days
• Rapid and Blitz dates
• Final-round starting time
• Awards ceremony
• Hotel check-out requirements

📝 Registration

Registration is open until August 20, 2026 and must be completed through the official festival registration page.

Players should enter their names exactly as they appear in the FIDE database. The registration information should include the correct federation, FIDE ID, rating, date of birth and contact details.

Submitting the online form does not necessarily constitute final acceptance. Registration should be considered complete only after the organizer confirms the player’s entry and provides any required payment instructions.

Players should contact the organizer before payment when:

• Their rating is close to the Group A or Group B threshold
• They are eligible for Group C but wish to enter another section
• They wish to participate in a norm tournament
• They require accommodation
• They require visa documentation
• They wish to enter the Rapid or Blitz competition
• They need clarification regarding entry fees or payment methods

Late applications may be refused if the tournament or accommodation capacity has been reached.

🏛️ Organizer

The Guba Open 2026 is jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Chess Federation and Ag Top Chess Club, also identified in English tournament records as the White Rook Chess Club.

The festival forms part of Azerbaijan’s international tournament program. It is directed by International Arbiter Javanshir Baghirov.

Participants should use the tournament email for questions concerning registration, group placement, norm tournaments, accommodation, transfers and visa support.

📍 Venue

Guba Olympic Sports Complex / Arena Grand Hotel – Baku–Guba Road, 4th km, Guba, AZ4000, Azerbaijan.

The tournament will be played within the Guba Olympic Sports Complex and Grand Hotel area. The hotel is currently presented under the name Arena Grand Hotel and is located approximately four kilometres from central Guba.

Players should confirm the exact tournament hall assigned to their group because different festival competitions may use different rooms or buildings within the complex.

Official Accommodation Packages

The festival website lists accommodation at three official properties. The published prices are per person.

The official accommodation page states that the published packages include unlimited use of the sauna, indoor swimming pool, fitness room and aqua park.

Official accommodation information:

https://gubaopen.chess.az/hotel/

Players should confirm availability, room occupancy, meal arrangements, check-in and check-out times, cancellation conditions and transport to the playing hall before making payment.

✈️ How to Get There

Guba is located north of Baku. Most international participants will travel through Heydar Aliyev International Airport and continue to Guba by road.

From Heydar Aliyev International Airport

The road journey from the airport to Guba is approximately 190 kilometres. Travel time is normally around two and a half to three hours, depending on traffic, weather and the selected route.

International players arriving late in the evening should arrange their transfer before travelling.

By Bus from Baku

Intercity buses and minibuses connect Baku with Guba. After reaching the Guba bus station, players will need a taxi or hotel transfer to the tournament venue.

Players carrying substantial luggage or arriving with children may find a prearranged private transfer more convenient.

By Car

Drivers should enter the following destination into their navigation system:

Arena Grand Hotel – Baku–Guba Road, 4th km, Guba, AZ4000, Azerbaijan.

Parking availability and vehicle-access conditions should be confirmed with the hotel.

ℹ️ Other Information

Festival Memorial

The festival is dedicated to the memory of Gudrat Ismayilov, an International Arbiter who devoted many years to chess and contributed to the development of players and chess activities in Azerbaijan.

Player Information

Participants must bring a valid passport or identity document. They should also ensure that their FIDE profile contains the correct spelling of their name, federation and date of birth.

Any error in the published starting list should be reported before the first round.

Visa and Travel Documents

International visitors are responsible for checking Azerbaijan’s current passport and visa requirements before booking non-refundable travel.

Players who require an invitation letter or other supporting documentation should contact the organizer well before the registration deadline.

Rapid and Blitz Participation

Rapid and Blitz are separate festival competitions. Players should confirm:

• Registration requirements
• Entry fees
• Number of rounds
• Time controls
• Starting times
• Prize categories
• Rating calculation

Participation in the main classical tournament may not automatically include entry into the Rapid or Blitz competition.

Live Games and Results

Live games will be published through the official festival website:

https://gubaopen.chess.az/live/

The main starting list, pairings and results will be available through Chess-Results:

https://chess-results.com/tnr1455467.aspx?lan=1

Players should continue checking the official website and Chess-Results because the participant lists, timetable, playing halls and technical information may be updated before the tournament.