International Youth Chess Tournament Graz 2027
The International Youth Chess Tournament Graz 2027 will take place from August 21–27, 2027 in Graz, Austria. The tournament will be held at the Bischöflicher Campus Augustinum, an educational campus located at Lange Gasse 2 in the Geidorf district of Graz.
The official event is listed under the broader title International Youth Chess Tournament and Chess Holiday Camp Graz 2027, combining international youth competition with a summer chess-camp programme.
The event represents the continuation of the international youth tournament previously held in Mureck. Following the successful 2026 edition, the organizers announced that the event would move to Graz for 2027.
♟️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 21–27, 2027 |
| Country | Austria |
| City | Graz |
| Venue | Bischöflicher Campus Augustinum |
| Event | International Youth Chess Tournament |
| Additional Programme | Chess Holiday Camp |
| Organizer | Jugendschach Steiermark / Steirischer Schachverband |
| Contact Person | Mag. Philipp Raeke |
| jugend@schachzentrum.at | |
| Phone | +43 316 90370270 |
| Official Event Page | https://www.jugendschach.at/event/internationales-jugendschachturnier-graz-2027/ |
| Youth Chess Website | https://www.jugendschach.at/ |
👤 Organizer
Organizer: Jugendschach Steiermark / Steirischer Schachverband
Contact Person: Mag. Philipp Raeke
Email: jugend@schachzentrum.at
Phone: +43 316 90370270
Website: https://www.jugendschach.at/
Jugendschach Steiermark coordinates youth chess activities, training programmes, school chess, championships, and tournaments for children and young players in Graz and throughout Styria.
The International Youth Chess Tournament is part of this broader youth-chess programme and is accompanied by a Schachferienlager – Chess Holiday Camp.
📍 Venue
Bischöflicher Campus Augustinum – Lange Gasse 2, 8010 Graz, Austria
The 2027 tournament moves to Graz and will be hosted at the Augustinum campus.
Augustinum is a large educational complex in Graz’s Geidorf district, close to the historic city centre. The campus houses several schools, educational institutions, and an affiliated boarding facility.
Its central location makes the venue convenient for young players, accompanying families, coaches, and international delegations travelling to Graz.
🚆 How to Get There
✈️ By Air
The nearest airport is Graz Airport (GRZ).
Graz Airport is located south of the city and is connected with central Graz by public transport. International visitors can continue from the airport toward Graz Hauptbahnhof and then use local public transport to reach Augustinum.
For travellers without a convenient direct flight to Graz, Vienna International Airport (VIE) is another major international gateway, with onward rail connections to Graz.
🚆 From Graz Hauptbahnhof
The Augustinum provides convenient public-transport connections from Graz Hauptbahnhof, the city’s main railway station.
Passengers arriving at the Hauptbahnhof can use:
- Bus 58 or 63 toward the Grabenstraße stop.
From there, the campus is within walking distance.
🚋 By Tram
The Augustinum can also be reached using Graz tram services.
The campus recommends the stops:
- Lange Gasse
- Hasnerplatz
Tram lines 3 and 5 provide convenient access to this part of Graz.
🚗 By Car
The tournament venue is located at:
Lange Gasse 2, 8010 Graz
The Augustinum states that there is no regular car parking available directly on the campus.
Drivers should therefore use parking spaces in the surrounding blue or green parking zones or the nearby Caritas public parking garage, accessible from Grabenstraße.
Players and accompanying persons arriving by car should allow additional time to find parking before tournament activities begin.
ℹ️ Other Information
♟️ A New Graz Edition
The 2027 event marks an important change for this international youth tournament.
The preceding edition was held in Mureck in 2026, where 74 young players from several countries participated. The Austrian Chess Federation subsequently announced that the next edition would move to Graz in late August 2027.
The official 2027 calendars now confirm both the new city and the Augustinum venue.
🏕️ Chess Holiday Camp
The official event title specifically includes a Schachferienlager – Chess Holiday Camp.
This means the tournament is planned as more than a stand-alone competition. It will be accompanied by a youth chess camp programme, continuing the tradition of combining tournament play with training and social activities.
Detailed information about the 2027 camp programme, accommodation arrangements, meals, coaching, and additional activities has not yet been released.
📋 2027 Regulations
The organizers have already confirmed the dates and venue, while the full sporting regulations for the 2027 edition have not yet been published.
Details such as the final age groups, sections, number of rounds, time control, FIDE or national rating status, entry fees, prize structure, registration procedure, and daily round schedule will be announced separately by the organizers.
Players and families planning to attend should therefore check the official Jugendschach Steiermark website as additional information becomes available.
🏙️ Graz
Graz is the capital of Styria and Austria’s second-largest city.
The Augustinum is located relatively close to Graz’s historic centre, making it practical for accompanying families to combine the chess programme with sightseeing and other activities in the city.
🌐 Official Links
Official Event Page:
https://www.jugendschach.at/event/internationales-jugendschachturnier-graz-2027/
Jugendschach Steiermark:
https://www.jugendschach.at/
Steirischer Schachverband:
https://styria.chess.at/
Chess-Results Calendar:
https://chess-results.com/Kalender.aspx?lan=0
Additional Details
Organizer
♟️ About Steirischer Schachverband
Steirischer Schachverband (Styrian Chess Federation) is the regional governing body for chess in Styria, Austria. Founded in 1927, it is one of the nine regional federations that form the Österreichischer Schachbund (Austrian Chess Federation). Based at Karmeliterplatz in Graz, the federation represents Styrian chess clubs and coordinates organized chess across Graz, Northern Styria, and Southern Styria.
The federation administers the Styrian league system, regional and individual championships, the Styrian Cup, youth competitions, school chess, senior chess, rapid and blitz championships, ratings, player registrations, arbiters, and trainer development. In addition, it supports clubs that organize local and international tournaments throughout the region. Youth development forms a particularly important part of its work through regional squads, championships, school programs, training camps, and international tournament participation.
Dr. Gerd Mitter is the current President of Steirischer Schachverband. He first took office in 2019 and was re-elected at the Landesverbandstag on June 15, 2025. Mitter also serves as a Vice President of the Austrian Chess Federation. The federation remains highly active in 2026: it completed the first International Youth Chess Festival Mureck in August, launches the 2026–2027 Styrian league season in September, and will organize the 51st Styrian Senior Chess Championship in Graz from September 29 to November 24.
📜 History and Development
Steirischer Schachverband was founded in 1927 and subsequently became part of the national structure of the Österreichischer Schachbund. Over nearly a century, the federation has overseen the development of organized chess from local club competition to national and international events in Styria.
A defining period began under Prof. Kurt Jungwirth, who led the Styrian federation from 1971 until 2019. During those 48 years, Styria developed a strong competitive and organizational chess culture. Graz also played an important role internationally; notably, the European Chess Union was founded in Graz in 1985 during a FIDE congress.
Dr. Gerd Mitter succeeded Jungwirth in 2019. His presidency has continued the federation’s emphasis on youth development, club support, regional competition, and cooperation with the Austrian Chess Federation. In June 2025, Styrian clubs elected Mitter to another term.
♜ Championships and League Chess
The federation manages an extensive team structure headed by the Steirische Landesliga. Below it, regional competitions provide additional levels of organized team chess for clubs throughout Styria.
The 2026–2027 Landesliga season begins on September 19, 2026. Further rounds continue through autumn and into 2027. In addition, the federation coordinates the Obersteirische Liga and regional competitions in the Graz, North, and South districts.
Individual championship activity covers classical, rapid, and blitz chess. The 2026 Open Styrian Blitz Championship took place in Gleisdorf on May 30 and used 13 rounds at 3+2. Yevgeniy Roshka won the tournament and the Styrian title with 12.5 points.
The federation also administers the Styrian Cup and works with clubs hosting official regional championships. Therefore, its competitive structure provides opportunities ranging from local league players to titled competitors.
🎓 Youth Chess and Training
Youth development is one of Steirischer Schachverband’s largest areas of activity. The 2026 Styrian Youth Championships brought together 92 players, including 22 girls, at JUFA Leibnitz. Titles were awarded across the U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18 categories.
The federation also supports school chess and a network of clubs offering junior training throughout Styria. In addition, regional youth players receive opportunities to attend Austrian championships and stronger open tournaments with coaching support.
An important personnel change took effect in 2026. IM Gert Schnider became Austrian national youth coach from January 1, while David Schernthaner took over as Styrian state youth coach. Philipp Raeke continues to play a central role in regional youth organization.
Coach development complements the player program. In November and December 2026, the federation will again conduct the chess-specific module of its Übungsleiterausbildung in Graz, helping clubs develop qualified instructors for beginner and school chess.
🌍 International Youth Chess Festival Mureck
From August 1–8, 2026, Steirischer Schachverband and Österreichische Schachjugend organized the inaugural International Youth Chess Festival Mureck at the Kulturzentrum Mureck.
The new festival continued the region’s long international youth-chess tradition and replaced the previous Mureck EU Youth Championship and international Styrian youth-open structure. A total of 74 children from six countries competed in the two principal groups.
Group A was an Open U18 competition, while Group B was designed for U14 players rated below 1600. Both sections used nine Swiss-system rounds at 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move and counted for FIDE Standard rating. A separate U18 blitz tournament complemented the classical program.
Philipp Raeke served as Tournament Director, while IA Hermann Wilfling was Chief Arbiter. The festival also included organized youth activities, training, accommodation, and a chess holiday program.
🏆 51st Styrian Senior Chess Championship 2026
The 51st Steirische Senioren-Landesmeisterschaft is scheduled from September 29 to November 24, 2026 at CAMPUS 02 University of Applied Sciences in Graz.
The championship consists of nine classical rounds, played on consecutive Tuesdays at 14:00. Players receive 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move, providing a full classical competition spread across almost two months.
The tournament continues one of the federation’s longest-running championship traditions. Johann Petz-Ortner coordinates the senior program, while Dr. Stefan Grünwald has taken responsibility for tournament direction within the senior championship structure.
Together with youth championships, team leagues, rapid and blitz competitions, training programs, and international events, the senior championship demonstrates the broad age range covered by organized chess under Steirischer Schachverband.
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