II. Ernő Dede Memorial 2026
Honouring FM Ernő Dede Jr. and the legacy of the Hajdúszoboszló chess community, the II. Ernő Dede Memorial 2026 will take place on 5-8 February 2026 (Thursday-Sunday) in Hajdúszoboszló, Hungary. Hosted at the city’s Municipal Sports Center, the festival is built for ambitious club players and juniors, offering clear sections by Elo and age, professional arbiting, and classical time controls suited to serious, comfortable play.
The programme features three FIDE-rated Swiss events (A, B, C) with robust prize lists, special awards for youth, women, seniors and local players, and an on-site blitz tournament. With straightforward registration, a practical meal plan, and nearby accommodation partners, the Memorial delivers a focused early-February chess weekend in eastern Hungary.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 5-8 February 2026 (Thu-Sun) |
| 📍 Location | Municipal Sports Center of Hajdúszoboszló, 4200 Hajdúszoboszló, Rákóczi utca 60, Hungary |
| ♟️ Format | Three Swiss tournaments: Group A (1900–2399 Elo), Group B (<1900 Elo), Group C (<1600 Elo & U14; born ≥ 1 Jan 2012) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | A & B: 90′ + 30″/move from move 1 • C: 60′ + 30″/move from move 1 |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated; Swiss-Manager (Dutch) pairing; FIDE Laws apply |
| ✅ Eligibility | Valid Hungarian Playing Licence required (available/renewable during registration; €20 for 365 days from payment date) |
| 🕰️ Default Time | 30 minutes |
| 🧑⚖️ Officials | Chief Arbiter: IA Csaba Horváth (full arbiter team announced at opening) |
| 🎯 Notes | All Group A games broadcast online with 15-minute delay; appeals possible (deposit 15,000 HUF) |
🏆 Prize Fund
Main Prizes (paid in HUF; amounts also shown with approximate € as listed)
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | 250,000 HUF (~€620) | 150,000 HUF (~€370) | 100,000 HUF (~€250) | 80,000 HUF (~€200) | 60,000 HUF (~€150) | 40,000 HUF (~€100) |
| Group B | 125,000 HUF (~€310) | 100,000 HUF (~€250) | 75,000 HUF (~€185) | 50,000 HUF (~€125) | 40,000 HUF (~€100) | 30,000 HUF (~€75) |
| Group C | 60,000 HUF (~€150) | 40,000 HUF (~€100) | 30,000 HUF (~€75) | 25,000 HUF (~€63) | 20,000 HUF (~€50) | 15,000 HUF (~€38) |
Special Prizes
Group A: Best Youth (born ≥ 1 Jan 2008): 25,000 HUF + reward*; 2nd 15,000 HUF; 3rd 10,000 HUF. Best Female: 25,000 HUF + reward*; 2nd 15,000 HUF; 3rd 10,000 HUF. Best Senior (born < 1 Jan 1967): 25,000 HUF.
Group B: Best Youth (≥2008): 25,000 • 15,000 • 10,000 HUF. Best Female: 25,000 • 15,000 • 10,000 HUF. Best Senior (born < 1967): 25,000 HUF. Best player from Hajdú-Bihar County: 10,000 HUF. Best player from Hajdúszoboszló: 10,000 HUF.
Group C: Best player from Hajdú-Bihar County: 10,000 HUF. Best player from Hajdúszoboszló: 10,000 HUF. Best Girl: 10,000 HUF. Best U12 (≥2014) and U10 (≥2016): 10,000 HUF each. Youngest Boy and Girl: Trophy.
*Prizes are taxable, guaranteed with a combined 130+ entries across A–C, non-cumulative (each player receives one highest prize), paid in cash (HUF) at the awards and only in person.
*Reward: Candino Swiss wristwatch (for Best Youth & Best Female). A weekend family-stay raffle (Öreg Bence Guesthouse, Füzérkomlós) will be drawn among award-ceremony attendees.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Groups A & B: 7 rounds, 90′ + 30″ from move 1.
Group C: 9 rounds, 60′ + 30″ from move 1.
Tie-breaks (in order): Direct encounter, Buchholz (Cut-1), Buchholz, Progressive, TPR.
Appeals: submit in writing within 10 minutes after the round; deposit 15,000 HUF (returned if appeal is upheld).
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility | Rounds |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Elo 1900–2399 (players ≥1850 may enter with organiser’s permission + €8 supplement) | 7 |
| Group B | Elo <1900 | 7 |
| Group C | Elo <1600 and U14 (born ≥ 1 Jan 2012) | 9 |
📅 Schedule
Groups A & B
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, 5 Feb 2026 | 12:00–15:00 | Registration (late until 15:15 with 5,000 HUF surcharge) |
| Thu, 5 Feb 2026 | 15:20 | Opening Ceremony |
| Thu, 5 Feb 2026 | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| Fri, 6 Feb 2026 | 09:00 | Round 2 |
| Fri, 6 Feb 2026 | 14:30 | Round 3 |
| Fri, 6 Feb 2026 | ~19:30 | Blitz Competition (2×5′) |
| Sat, 7 Feb 2026 | 09:00 | Round 4 |
| Sat, 7 Feb 2026 | 14:30 | Round 5 |
| Sun, 8 Feb 2026 | 08:30 | Round 6 |
| Sun, 8 Feb 2026 | 14:00 | Round 7 |
| Sun, 8 Feb 2026 | After R7 | Results & Awards (≈15 minutes after last game) |
Group C
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, 5 Feb 2026 | 12:00–15:00 | Registration (late until 15:15 with 5,000 HUF surcharge) |
| Thu, 5 Feb 2026 | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| Fri, 6 Feb 2026 | 09:00 | Round 2 |
| Fri, 6 Feb 2026 | 12:30 | Round 3 |
| Fri, 6 Feb 2026 | 16:00 | Round 4 |
| Sat, 7 Feb 2026 | 09:00 | Round 5 |
| Sat, 7 Feb 2026 | 12:30 | Round 6 |
| Sat, 7 Feb 2026 | 16:00 | Round 7 |
| Sun, 8 Feb 2026 | 08:30 | Round 8 |
| Sun, 8 Feb 2026 | 14:00 | Round 9 |
| Sun, 8 Feb 2026 | After R9 | Results & Awards (≈15 minutes after last game) |
📝 Registration
Online entry form: https://forms.gle/YcuUpg1pPwZ7RYAq9
Deadline: 2 February 2026. On-site registration subject to capacity (+€8).
Entry fees:
Group A: 25 € (2200–2399 Elo) • 30 € (<1900 Elo)
Group B: 30 € (all players)
Group C: 20 € (all players)
Youth (born ≥ 1 Jan 2008): 20 € in all groups, regardless of rating
Club incentive: Clubs entering ≥5 youth players get 1 youth free entry
Licence: Hungarian Playing Licence €20 (valid 365 days from payment) — can be paid together with entry.
On-site blitz: Friday evening (2×5′) — open to festival participants.
👥 Organizer
Hajdúszoboszló Chess School (Hajdúszoboszlói Sakkiskola) — regional organiser focused on youth development and quality open tournaments, commemorating FM Ernő Dede Jr. with a well-structured memorial festival.
Address: 4200 Hajdúszoboszló, Keleti utca 67, Hungary
Phone: +36 30 279 4250
Email: hsisakkiskola@gmail.com
🏨 Venue
Municipal Sports Center of Hajdúszoboszló
Address: 4200 Hajdúszoboszló, Rákóczi utca 60, Hungary
Central multi-use sports complex with large, bright halls appropriate for classical chess. Player notices (pairings, results, announcements) are posted at the venue; catering and the pre-ordered lunch service are coordinated on site.
🛎️ Accommodation
Angyal Panzió — http://www.angyalvendeghaz.hu
Nelson Hotel — https://www.nelsonhotel.hu/szobak
Major Panzió — https://www.majorpanzio.hu/panzio-bemutatkozas/
Magyar Apartman — https://magyar-apartman.hu/magyar-apartman-iii/
Other options: https://www.booking.com
Meal plan (optional): lunch delivered to the venue by Major Panzió — 2,600 HUF/person per day (request and pay at the venue; special diets by prior email). Sample menus include soups and main courses each day (Fri–Sun).
🚗 How to Get There
By car: Hajdúszoboszló is accessible via main regional routes; allow time for urban traffic near the sports center.
Local: Short taxi or local bus from town centre/accommodation to Rákóczi utca 60. On-site announcements provide parking guidance.
Close out the winter with competitive classical chess, clear sections and rich awards at the II. Ernő Dede Memorial 2026 in Hajdúszoboszló.