New Zagreb Classic 2026 — Open A/B/C/D/E
New Zagreb Classic 2026 is a five-group international open held at The Westin Zagreb (****), Kršnjavoga 1, Zagreb, Croatia, from Friday 30 January to Sunday 1 February 2026. Across three days and five classical rounds, players are split by rating into Open A/B/C/D/E, all FIDE-rated and run by ŠK Novi Zagreb with a professional arbiter team.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 30 January – 1 February 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Zagreb, Croatia |
| 🏟️ Venue | The Westin Zagreb (****), Kršnjavoga 1 |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE-rated International Open (five rating groups) |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 5 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| 🏢 Organizer | ŠK Novi Zagreb |
| 👤 Tournament Director | Andrej Stanković (FI) |
| 👤 Chief Arbiter | IA/IO Krunoslav Lešić |
| 👤 Deputy Arbiter | NA Slobodan Barkidžija |
| 🔖 Rating | FIDE Standard |
💰 Prize Fund
Total prize fund: €3,000. Distribution posted by the organizer at the venue.
🧩 Sections / Groups
| Group | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Open A | FIDE ≥ 2000 |
| Open B | FIDE ≥ 1800 |
| Open C | FIDE ≥ 1650 |
| Open D | FIDE ≥ 1500 |
| Open E | FIDE < 1500 |
Players may request to play in a higher group; all sections are FIDE-rated.
⏱️ Time Control & Tournament System
- System: 5-round Swiss across all groups
- Time Control: 90′ + 30″ from move 1
- Default (waiting) time: 60 minutes
- Tiebreaks (order): Buchholz Cut-1 → Median Buchholz → Buchholz → Arranz (draw = 0.4 as White / 0.6 as Black) → Sonneborn–Berger → Most Wins → Direct Encounter within same score group → Most games with Black → Drawing of lots.
📅 Schedule (all times local)
Open A/B/C (and festival ceremonies):
- Friday 30 Jan
— Registration confirmation: 14:00–15:30
— Opening ceremony: 15:30
— Round 1: 16:00 - Saturday 31 Jan
— Round 2: 09:30
— Round 3: 15:00 - Sunday 1 Feb
— Round 4: 09:30
— Round 5: 15:00
— Awards immediately after the last game
📝 Registration & Fees
- Entry fees (if paid by 20 January 2026):
— Open A: €55 · Open B: €50 · Open C: €45 · Open D: €40 · Open E: €35
— From 21 January 2026, add €10 late fee.
— If requesting a group different from your rating group, add €10. - Payment details:
— Beneficiary: ŠK Novi Zagreb, Trnsko 4b, Zagreb, Croatia
— IBAN: HR91 2402 0061 5001 2443 9
— Bank: Erste & Steiermärkische Bank d.d.
— BIC/SWIFT: ESBCHR22 - Regulations: Valid FIDE ID required for all players, mobile/electronics prohibited in the hall without permission, current FIDE Laws of Chess in effect.
🏢 Organizer
Šahovski klub Novi Zagreb (ŠK Novi Zagreb) organizes the festival and manages on-site registration, pairings, fair-play procedures, and awards.
- Tournament Director: Andrej Stanković (FI)
- Chief Arbiter: IA/IO Krunoslav Lešić
- Deputy Arbiter: NA Slobodan Barkidžija
🏟️ Venue
The Westin Zagreb (****), Kršnjavoga 1, Donji Grad, Zagreb
— Spacious ballroom and analysis areas
— Centrally located with hotels, restaurants, and public transport nearby
🛏️ Accommodation
Exclusive player rates at The Westin Zagreb (book by 20 January 2026):
- Single: €100 / room / night (B&B)
- Double: €110 / room / night (B&B)
- Extra bed: +€35 / night
- Lunch option: €23 per person/day (buffet; drinks not included)
- Free cancellation up to 10 days before arrival.
- Reservations handled directly by the hotel after registration (discount code provided by the organizer).
🚉 How to Get There
- By Air: Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport (ZAG) → city center by shuttle/taxi (25–35 minutes)
- By Rail: Zagreb Glavni kolodvor (Main Station) → tram/taxi to Kršnjavoga 1
- By Car: Central city access with parking/garage options near the venue
Venue on the Map
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
