Ropotamo Cup 2026 takes place from June 6-14, 2026 in Primorsko, Bulgaria. This is a chess tournament in Primorsko, Bulgaria, in 2026. The festival includes two over-the-board chess tournaments with separate A and B sections, official national rating validity, and a compact standard-play format with 45 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. The games are held at Primorsko Club, Hotel Forest Beach, and the event offers a confirmed cash prize fund of about USD 3,900.
Moreover, this chess tournament in Primorsko gives players a practical seaside option in June with hotel accommodation, all-inclusive packages, and two rating-based sections. In addition, Ropotamo Cup 2026 combines a longer A tournament, a shorter B tournament, and a broad prize structure for women, seniors, and junior categories. As a result, this chess event in Primorsko is an appealing choice for club players, juniors, seniors, and experienced competitors who want a serious international chess tournament in Bulgaria.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | June 6-14, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Primorsko, Bulgaria |
| ♟️ Format | 2-section Swiss tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | Valid for Bulgarian rating |
| 📂 Sections | A Tournament, B Tournament |
| ⏱️ Time control | 45 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1 in both sections |
| 💳 Entry fee | EUR 35 for players born before December 31, 1966 and after January 1, 2012; EUR 45 for all other players; EUR 55 for participation in both tournaments |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 3,900 (approx.) |
| 👤 Eligibility | A Tournament: FIDE rating up to 2399; B Tournament: FIDE rating up to 1799; participation is subject to organizer approval |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Players who do not use the organizer’s accommodation pay EUR 55 entry fee |
🏆 Prize Fund
The total confirmed cash prize fund is EUR 3,510. In addition, if a player qualifies for more than one prize, only the higher prize is awarded. When two prizes have equal value, the more prestigious category takes priority.
| Prize category | Cash prizes |
|---|---|
| A Tournament main prizes | 1st EUR 550; 2nd EUR 350; 3rd EUR 300; 4th EUR 260; 5th EUR 220; 6th EUR 180 |
| A Tournament special prizes | Women: EUR 160 and EUR 100; Seniors 60+: EUR 170 and EUR 110; Seniors 70+: EUR 130; Boy U14: EUR 80; Girl U14: EUR 60 |
| B Tournament main prizes | 1st EUR 260; 2nd EUR 180; 3rd EUR 150; 4th EUR 120; 5th EUR 100; 6th EUR 80 |
| B Tournament special prizes | Woman: EUR 100; Senior 60+: EUR 90; Boy or girl U12: EUR 90; Boy U10: EUR 60; Boy U8: EUR 50; Girl U10: EUR 30; Girl U8: EUR 20 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Both sections use the Swiss system. Each player receives 45 minutes for the full game plus a 30-second increment from move one. Therefore, the festival follows a compact standard-play structure rather than a long traditional classical schedule.
In addition, the regulations apply the FIDE Laws of Chess valid from January 1, 2023. Licensed FIDE chess clocks are used throughout the event. The published tie-break order is direct encounter within the score group, Buchholz Cut 1, full Buchholz, number of wins, and Sonneborn-Berger. The organizer also uses Swiss Manager for the event parameters.
The default time is 30 minutes from the announced start of the round. Moreover, anti-cheating rules apply, and players may not carry mobile phones or other communication devices in the tournament zone during play.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A Tournament | FIDE rating up to 2399 | 9-round top section |
| B Tournament | FIDE rating up to 1799 | 7-round lower section |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 6, 2026 | Saturday | 1:00 PM-3:00 PM | Registration, A and B Tournaments |
| June 6, 2026 | Saturday | 4:00 PM | Round 1, A Tournament |
| June 7, 2026 | Sunday | 9:00 AM-9:30 AM | Registration, B Tournament |
| June 7, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 AM | Round 1, B Tournament |
| June 7, 2026 | Sunday | 3:00 PM | Round 2, A Tournament |
| June 8, 2026 | Monday | 10:00 AM | Round 2, B Tournament |
| June 8, 2026 | Monday | 3:00 PM | Round 3, A Tournament |
| June 9, 2026 | Tuesday | 10:00 AM | Round 3, B Tournament |
| June 9, 2026 | Tuesday | 3:00 PM | Round 4, A Tournament |
| June 10, 2026 | Wednesday | 10:00 AM | Round 4, B Tournament |
| June 10, 2026 | Wednesday | 3:00 PM | Round 5, A Tournament |
| June 11, 2026 | Thursday | 10:00 AM | Round 5, B Tournament |
| June 11, 2026 | Thursday | 3:00 PM | Round 6, A Tournament |
| June 12, 2026 | Friday | 10:00 AM | Round 6, B Tournament |
| June 12, 2026 | Friday | 3:00 PM | Round 7, A Tournament |
| June 13, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 AM | Round 7, B Tournament |
| June 13, 2026 | Saturday | 1:30 PM | Prize ceremony, B Tournament |
| June 13, 2026 | Saturday | 3:00 PM | Round 8, A Tournament |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 AM | Round 9, A Tournament |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | 2:00 PM | Prize ceremony, A Tournament |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Apply by email |
| Entry fee | EUR 35 for players born before December 31, 1966 and after January 1, 2012; EUR 45 for all other players |
| Combined entry fee | EUR 55 for participation in both tournaments |
| Accommodation note | Players who do not use the organizer’s accommodation pay EUR 55 entry fee |
| Payment deadline | Entry fee must be paid no later than the start of round 4 |
| Special note | The organizer may fully or partially waive entry fees for selected players |
👥 Organizer
FIDE International Academy Bulchess and Chess Club Shah 21 organize this seaside chess festival in Primorsko. In addition, the organizers manage registration, accommodation, scheduling, and tournament operations across both sections.
- Email: primorskochess@gmail.com
🏨 Venue
Primorsko Club, Hotel Forest Beach, Primorsko, Bulgaria
The tournament takes place at Hotel Forest Beach in the Primorsko Club resort area. Moreover, the venue gives both sections one shared playing site close to the sea. This setup makes the festival practical for players who want accommodation, meals, and tournament play in one location.
🛎️ Accommodation
The organizer offers accommodation at Hotel Forest Beach and Hotel Les Magnolias on an all-inclusive basis with free use of an umbrella and sunbed on the adjacent beach. A single room costs EUR 48 per person per day, while a double or triple room costs EUR 43 per person per day.
In addition, children born on or before June 6, 2019 pay EUR 5 per day when staying with an adult, and children born on or before June 6, 2014 pay EUR 26 per day when staying with an adult. These rates are valid until June 15, 2026.
🚗 How to Get There
Players can travel to Primorsko and then continue locally to Hotel Forest Beach in the Primorsko Club resort area. In addition, staying in the official accommodation makes daily access easy because the playing halls, rooms, and beach facilities are all in the same complex.
🧾 Other
Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is strictly forbidden in the playing hall. Moreover, players may not leave the playing zone without arbiter permission, and conversations during games are not allowed. Appeals must be submitted within 30 minutes after the end of the round together with a EUR 40 deposit.
Enjoy a full chess week on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and take part in a well-structured summer festival with two sections and a broad prize fund.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $3,900