Ljubljana Chess Festival 2026 brings a week-long international chess tournament program to April 24-May 3, 2026 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The festival’s main event features a 9-round Swiss open played with Baku Accelerated pairings and a classical-style time control, and it runs as a FIDE rated tournament. The Ljubljana Chess Festival 2026 offers a gross prize fund of EUR 10,000 and welcomes competitive players looking for serious games in the Slovenian capital.

With a strong local tradition and an emphasis on bringing multiple generations together, Ljubljana Chess Festival 2026 combines its main Swiss open with a compact set of companion events across the opening weekend and the final day. All main-tournament rounds take place at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Ljubljana, keeping the playing conditions consistent throughout the week. If you want a spring tournament that blends classical chess with a broader festival atmosphere, Ljubljana Chess Festival 2026 sets a clear target.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Main prizes (EUR)

Rating prizes (EUR)

Best-women (EUR)

Best-seniors 60+ (EUR)

Best-juniors U20 (EUR)

Prize rules and payment notes (official):

• The festival prize fund is gross (bruto).

• Prizes are paid after the tournament.

• Each player may receive only one prize (prizes are not cumulative).

• Prize payment requires tax number, bank account details, recipient address, and a passport copy.

• Players must attend the prize-giving to remain eligible to receive a prize.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Ljubljana Chess Festival 2026 runs as a 9-round Swiss system tournament with Baku Accelerated pairings. The time control is 75 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, with an additional 15 minutes added after 40 moves (and 30 seconds per move continuing). The organizer allows up to two half-point byes, with byes restricted late in the tournament. The default time for lateness is 30 minutes. The main tournament is rated for FIDE.

📂 Sections / Groups

Ljubljana Chess Festival 2026 centers on one open section for the main 9-round Swiss tournament. The festival schedule also includes officially listed companion events on the opening weekend and on the final day as part of the broader Ljubljana Chess Festival 2026 program.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

👥 Organizer

Ljubljana Chess Festival 2026 is organized by Brainiac64 d.o.o. together with Tajfun–ŠK Ljubljana, bringing the main open tournament and companion events to Ljubljana, Slovenia. The organizer team coordinates registration, on-site confirmation, and prize distribution under a clear festival format that combines a FIDE rated Swiss open with additional chess activities across the festival week.

• Email: events@sah-ljubljana.si

• Email: sah.ljubljana@gmail.com

• Phone: +386 31 321 518

• Website: https://ljubljana-chess-festival.eu/

🏨 Venue

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana Chess Festival 2026 uses the Faculty of Electrical Engineering as the central playing venue in Ljubljana. The organizer schedules the main tournament rounds at this location to keep the event in one consistent setting. On-site confirmation also takes place at the venue on the first day of the main tournament.

🛎️ Accommodation

Šport Hotel Ljubljana ***
Koprska ulica 29, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
https://www.sport-ljubljana.si/sport-hotel-ljubljana
To reserve, call +386 70 627721 or email sport.hotel@sport-ljubljana.si and mention that it is for chess players.

Hotel Krona
Ihanska cesta 2, 1230 Domžale, Slovenia
https://www.hotel-krona.com
To reserve, call +386 1 72 40 600 or +386 1 72 10 160, or email hotel.krona@siol.net.

🚗 How to Get There

Ljubljana is served by Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (Brnik) and by Ljubljana Railway Station in the city. From the airport or the city center, use local taxi or public transport to reach Tržaška cesta 25 for Ljubljana Chess Festival 2026 at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.

Make Ljubljana Chess Festival 2026 your spring chess highlight and finish the week with nine demanding rounds in the heart of Ljubljana.

🧾 Other

• Default lateness time: 30 minutes.

• Electronic devices are strictly prohibited in the playing hall.

• Fair Play rules apply.

• Dress code compliance is encouraged, with special prizes mentioned by the organizer.

• Prizes are not cumulative; each player may receive only one prize.

• Players must attend the prize-giving to remain eligible to receive a prize.