The SixDays Budapest January 2027 Open Norm Edition takes place from January 25 to 30, 2027, at the Hungarian Chess Federation Tournament Hall in central Budapest, Hungary. This international classical chess competition features a Norm Swiss group and a separate U2250 group, offering opportunities for title-norm performance, FIDE rating improvement, and competitive international chess.
Organized by SixDays Chess and tournament director FM Miklós Halák, the event brings together titled players and ambitious competitors from different federations. The six-day program includes nine rounds, with several double-round days. Moreover, the Norm Swiss group is designed to satisfy specific FIDE title-norm conditions, subject to the final participant field and applicable regulations.
The tournament hall is located on Falk Miksa Street near the Hungarian Parliament area. Its central location provides convenient access to public transportation, railway connections, and several hotels within walking distance.
♟️ Event Details
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | January 25–30, 2027 |
| 🌍 Country | Hungary |
| 📍 City | Budapest |
| 🏛️ Venue | Hungarian Chess Federation Tournament Hall |
| 👤 Organizer | SixDays Chess |
| 👨💼 Tournament Director | FM Miklós Halák |
| ⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA Tamás Gyömber |
| ♟️ Format | Nine-round Swiss; U2250 may use round-robin in a small field |
| 🧩 Groups | Norm Swiss and U2250 |
| 🌐 Rating | FIDE Standard |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| 🏆 Prize Fund | €2,000 conditional Norm Swiss fund plus €300 U2250 fund |
| 🌐 Official Website | https://sixdayschess.hu/ |
| 📋 Official Regulations | https://sixdayschess.hu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/SixDays-BP-Jan-2027-open.pdf |
| ♟️ Chess-Results | https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1511227.aspx?SNode=S0&lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a classical time control of 90 minutes for the entire game, with a 30-second increment from move one.
Both groups are scheduled for nine rounds under the Swiss pairing system. However, if the U2250 group has ten or fewer participants, the organizer may conduct that group as a round-robin competition.
The Norm Swiss group is structured to support GM, IM, WGM, and WIM norm opportunities under applicable FIDE requirements. The published regulations specify measures intended to ensure the necessary participation of titled and international players.
Nevertheless, earning a norm depends on individual performance, the final participant field, and all applicable FIDE conditions.
The permitted waiting time is 30 minutes, while postponement of rounds is not allowed.
🏆 Prize Fund
Norm Swiss Group
The organizer advertises a €2,000 prize fund (approximately $2,240) conditional on a minimum of 40 players in the Norm Swiss group.
The first-place award increases with participation:
| Participation | First Prize |
|---|---|
| 40+ players | €800 (approx. $900) |
| 50+ players | €1,000 (approx. $1,120) |
| 60+ players | €1,200 (approx. $1,350) |
The full prize distribution will be published before the tournament begins. Consequently, the €2,000 amount should not be interpreted as guaranteed regardless of the final field size.
U2250 Group
The organizer also advertises a separate €300 prize fund (approximately $340) for the U2250 group.
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €150 (approx. $170) |
| 2nd | €100 (approx. $120) |
| 3rd | €50 (approx. $60) |
In case of ties, monetary prizes are shared according to the published regulations. The listed tiebreak criteria are direct encounter followed by Sonneborn-Berger.
🧩 Sections / Groups
Norm Swiss
The Norm Swiss competition is primarily intended for players rated above 2200 FIDE. However, the organizer may accept selected lower-rated participants when their inclusion is compatible with the tournament’s norm requirements.
The event is structured to support an international field and the participation of Grandmasters. Therefore, participation and norm eligibility should be confirmed directly with the tournament director.
U2250
The U2250 competition is primarily intended for players rated between 1800 and 2250 FIDE.
The playing hall has an overall capacity of 80 players. Initially, the organizer can confirm the first 16 applications for the U2250 group, with additional places potentially becoming available depending on Norm Swiss participation.
📅 Schedule
All times are local Budapest time (CET).
| Date | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, January 25 | Round 1 | 16:00 |
| Tuesday, January 26 | Round 2 | 10:00 |
| Tuesday, January 26 | Round 3 | 16:00 |
| Wednesday, January 27 | Round 4 | 10:00 |
| Wednesday, January 27 | Round 5 | 16:00 |
| Thursday, January 28 | Round 6 | 16:00 |
| Friday, January 29 | Round 7 | 10:00 |
| Friday, January 29 | Round 8 | 16:00 |
| Saturday, January 30 | Round 9 | 10:00 |
The closing ceremony is scheduled approximately 30 minutes after the final game finishes.
Players should plan their departure accordingly, particularly if participating in prize ceremonies or preparing to enter another Budapest tournament immediately afterward.
📝 Registration
Players should contact the tournament director directly to request participation.
Email: info@sixdayschess.hu
Phone / WhatsApp: +36 20 329 8335
Official Future Events: https://sixdayschess.hu/future-events/
Applicants are encouraged to provide their full name, FIDE ID, federation, title, current rating, preferred group, and contact information.
Entry Fees — Norm Swiss
| FIDE Rating / Title | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Grandmasters | Free |
| 2500+ | €100 (approx. $120) |
| 2400–2499 | €200 (approx. $230) |
| 2350–2399 | €300 (approx. $340) |
| 2300–2349 | €350 (approx. $400) |
| 2250–2299 | €400 (approx. $450) |
| 2200–2249 | €450 (approx. $510) |
Players below 2200 should contact the organizer about eligibility and the applicable fee. International Masters who pay their entry fee in advance receive a 10% discount under the published regulations.
For Norm Swiss participants, €100 of the entry fee must be paid in advance by bank transfer. The remaining balance may be paid in cash before Round 1, based on the January FIDE ratings.
Entry Fees — U2250
| FIDE Rating | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| 2150–2250 | €50 (approx. $60) |
| 2000–2149 | €75 (approx. $90) |
| 1900–1999 | €100 (approx. $120) |
| 1800–1899 | €150 (approx. $170) |
Players below 1800 should contact the organizer directly. U2250 entry fees may be paid in cash before the first round.
The regulations also state that the Hungarian Chess Federation charges €20 per year for players competing in Hungary. Participants should confirm whether this annual fee has already been paid.
Withdrawals & Refunds
The official Norm Swiss regulations specify the following refund conditions:
| Withdrawal Date | Refund |
|---|---|
| Until December 15, 2026 | Full refund |
| December 16, 2026 – January 10, 2027 | 50% refund |
| From January 11, 2027 | No refund |
Players should clarify the refund conditions applicable to their group and payment arrangements before transferring money.
👤 Organizer
Organizer Name: SixDays Chess
Contact Person: FM Miklós Halák
Email: info@sixdayschess.hu
Phone: +36 20 329 8335
FM Miklós Halák is the founder and tournament director of the SixDays Budapest chess tournament series. He organizes regular FIDE-rated international tournaments that provide opportunities for rating improvement and title-norm competition.
📍 Venue
Hungarian Chess Federation Tournament Hall – Falk Miksa utca 10, 1055 Budapest, Hungary.
The playing hall is located in Budapest’s District V, close to the Hungarian Parliament and the central Pest riverfront.
The venue’s location makes it practical for international participants to find nearby accommodation and travel between the tournament, restaurants, and other city facilities.
🚆 How to Get There
By Air
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) serves the city.
International travelers can reach central Budapest by airport express bus, taxi, or private transfer. From the city center, they can continue toward the tournament hall using Budapest’s public transportation network.
By Public Transportation
The venue is accessible from the Kossuth Lajos tér and Jászai Mari tér areas. In addition, Budapest-Nyugati railway station provides a convenient connection for visitors arriving by train.
Budapest Public Transport: https://bkk.hu/en/
By Car
Drivers can navigate to Falk Miksa utca 10 in District V. Because parking in central Budapest may be limited or chargeable, arrangements should be checked in advance.
🏨 Accommodation
Budapest offers a wide range of hotels and apartments near the tournament venue. Several properties are within walking distance of the Hungarian Chess Federation Tournament Hall, allowing players to reach their games without relying on taxis or lengthy public transportation journeys.
The tournament organizer recommends several nearby hotels, including the following three options.
Recommended Nearby Hotels
| Hotel | Address | Approx. Price / Night |
|---|---|---|
| Marmara Hotel Budapest | Nagy Ignác utca 21, 1055 Budapest | $70–130 |
| NH Budapest City | Vígszínház utca 3, 1137 Budapest | $90–160 |
| Ikonik Parlament | Kálmán Imre utca 19, 1054 Budapest | $110–180 |
Prices are indicative estimates in USD per room per night, based on publicly advertised hotel rates. They are not confirmed quotations for January 25–30, 2027. Actual prices depend on the dates, room type, occupancy, availability, taxes, and booking conditions.
Marmara Hotel Budapest
Marmara Hotel is a four-star boutique property in Budapest’s District V, conveniently located near Nyugati railway station and the Hungarian Parliament area.
The hotel offers several room categories, including standard, superior, and family rooms. Consequently, it may suit individual competitors as well as players traveling with accompanying family members.
Official Website: https://www.marmara.hu/
NH Budapest City
NH Budapest City is a four-star hotel near the Danube and Jászai Mari tér, offering a convenient base for participants in the tournament.
Facilities include Wi-Fi, a breakfast service, fitness amenities, and on-site parking. Its location is also convenient for visiting restaurants, shops, and central Budapest attractions after the playing sessions.
Official Website: https://www.nhbudapest.hu/
Ikonik Parlament
Ikonik Parlament is a four-star design hotel in Budapest’s central District V, within walking distance of the Hungarian Parliament area.
The property offers contemporary rooms and wellness facilities. It may particularly appeal to players and accompanying family members seeking a comfortable city-center stay.
Official Website: https://www.ikonikparlament.com/
Booking Information
Players are responsible for making their own accommodation reservations. However, the tournament organizer can provide guidance about available hotels and apartments near the playing venue.
Early booking is recommended, particularly for participants who require flexible cancellation terms or plan to enter consecutive SixDays tournaments.
Organizer Contact: info@sixdayschess.hu
ℹ️ Other Information
Appeals
An appeal must be submitted in writing to the chief arbiter within 15 minutes after the relevant game finishes.
The appeal fee is €100, refundable if the appeal is successful.
International Norm Opportunities
The Norm Swiss group is designed to meet important FIDE norm requirements, including international representation and title-holder participation.
However, players pursuing a specific norm must ensure that all relevant individual and tournament conditions are met.
Consecutive Tournament Participation
The next SixDays Budapest GM–IM–U2250 tournament is scheduled for January 31 – February 5, 2027.
Players interested in competing in both tournaments should contact the organizer to discuss availability and participation requirements.
Official Website: https://sixdayschess.hu/
Official Tournament Regulations: https://sixdayschess.hu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/SixDays-BP-Jan-2027-open.pdf
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,240
Organizer
♟️ About SixDays Chess
SixDays Chess is an international chess tournament organization based in Budapest, Hungary. It specializes in compact FIDE-rated classical tournaments for GM and IM norms, international rating development, and high-level competitive experience. The organization’s main project is the recurring SixDays Budapest series. Rather than operating as a conventional chess club or federation, SixDays Chess functions as a dedicated tournament organization for players seeking structured international competition in Budapest.
The standard SixDays Budapest program features GM, IM, and U2250 groups, normally organized as nine-round tournaments over only six days. In addition, SixDays Chess has expanded the concept with an Open Norm Swiss format. The organization constructs its fields around ratings, titles, federation representation, and FIDE requirements. Its official norm records list numerous GM, IM, and WIM norm performances, while participants come from Hungary and many other national federations.
FM Miklós Halák is the Founder and Tournament Director of SixDays Budapest and remains the principal contact for SixDays Chess. He manages player applications, tournament composition, scheduling, practical enquiries, and communication with international participants. SixDays Chess has a particularly active program in September 2026: the SixDays Budapest September 2026 Open Norm Edition is scheduled for September 14–19, followed immediately by the regular GM, IM, and U2250 edition from September 20–25. Another SixDays Budapest tournament is scheduled for November 9–14, 2026.
📜 Development of the SixDays Budapest Series
The SixDays Budapest concept was created to provide ambitious players with frequent opportunities for international classical chess while keeping the total tournament period relatively short. Its compact structure allows participants to complete nine rated games within approximately one week.
Over time, SixDays Chess developed a regular program of closed GM and IM norm tournaments together with rating groups for developing players. Budapest is particularly suitable for this format because it attracts a steady flow of Hungarian and international titled players.
The organization’s published norm records demonstrate the tournament series’ role in title development. Players listed by SixDays Chess as having achieved norms through its events include Harry Grieve, Akshay Borgaonkar, Artem Uskov, Tao Pang, Florian Kaczur, Srihari L R, Vantika Agrawal, Leonardo Costa, Moritz Weishaeutel, and numerous other international competitors.
🏆 GM, IM and U2250 Tournaments
The established SixDays Budapest format normally consists of 10-player round-robin groups. GM groups are assembled with the objective of creating appropriate conditions for Grandmaster norms, while IM groups are structured around International Master norm requirements.
The U2250 group provides FIDE-rated classical competition primarily for players rated between approximately 1800 and 2250. However, the organizer may accept a limited number of lower-rated participants. This creates a pathway for developing players who want international opposition and opportunities to improve their standard rating.
Games use a time control of 90 minutes for the entire game plus a 30-second increment from move one. The compact schedule usually includes several double-round days, allowing nine games to be completed within six days.
SixDays Chess also works with experienced international arbiters. For the September 2026 tournaments, IA Attila Kása is listed as Chief Arbiter, with IA Csaba Horváth serving as Deputy Arbiter.
🌍 International Player Development
A defining feature of SixDays Chess is its focus on players who are actively pursuing FIDE titles and rating progress. The organization therefore pays particular attention to the composition of each group.
Players applying for the tournaments provide their FIDE ID, federation, title, rating, and preferred tournament group. SixDays Chess can then construct fields that meet the sporting and regulatory requirements of the relevant competition.
The organization also helps international visitors with practical information about staying in Budapest. Players arrange their own accommodation, while SixDays Chess provides guidance on hotels and apartments close to the tournament area.
This structure makes the events particularly suitable for ambitious juniors, titled players seeking higher titles, and adults who want concentrated international classical competition without committing to a longer festival.
🌟 SixDays Budapest September 2026
SixDays Chess is introducing an important variation to its program with the SixDays Budapest September 2026 Open Norm Edition, scheduled for September 14–19, 2026.
Unlike the traditional closed round-robin norm groups, the principal section uses a nine-round Swiss system. The event is FIDE-rated and designed to provide opportunities for title performances in an open tournament environment. A separate U2250 tournament runs alongside it.
The Open Norm tournament has a guaranteed €2,000 prize fund when at least 40 players participate. First prize is guaranteed at €800 and increases to €1,000 with at least 50 players and €1,200 with at least 60 players.
Immediately afterward, SixDays Chess will organize its traditional tournament from September 20–25, 2026. The published program includes GM, IM, and U2250 competitions, with nine rounds in each tournament. Chess-Results currently lists two GM groups as expected, demonstrating the scale of demand for the September edition.
📅 Continuing 2026 Tournament Program
SixDays Chess already organized several events earlier in 2026, including tournaments in February, March, and July/August. The late-July edition included multiple GM and IM groups alongside the U2250 competition and attracted players from a wide range of federations.
After the two September events, the series continues with another SixDays Budapest tournament from November 9–14, 2026.
Therefore, SixDays Chess provides repeated opportunities throughout the year rather than relying on one annual festival. This frequent schedule is central to its tournament model and allows players to plan several attempts at rating gains or title norms within the same season.
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