Summer Prague Open 2026 runs from August 7-15, 2026. This is a chess tournament in Prague, Czech Republic, in 2026. As the 13th edition of the festival, it continues the long-running CZECH TOUR tradition in one of Europe’s most attractive summer destinations.

The program combines three classical open tournaments with one rapid event and one blitz event. Open A serves as the master section and offers IM norm status, while the three classical events count for FIDE and DWZ rating. In addition, the rapid and blitz side events count for FIDE rapid and blitz rating.

The Olympik hotel complex in Prague 8 gives the festival a practical base for play, accommodation, and city access. Moreover, players can choose from several official hotel options in the same area. The confirmed total cash prize fund is CZK 110,000, which is approximately $5,162.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Open A, Open B, and Open 30+ all use a nine-round Swiss system. For those three classical events, the time control is 1.5 hours for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move one. The waiting time is one hour after the round starts.

Meanwhile, the rapid event runs over seven rounds at 10+5. The blitz event follows an 11-round Swiss format at 3+2. As a result, the festival covers both serious classical play and shorter rated formats within the same week.

Final standings use points first, then Buchholz Cut 1, Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, and the greater number of games played with Black. In the three classical events, the organizer distributes prizes under the Hort system.

🏆 Prize Fund

The confirmed cash prize fund is CZK 110,000, which is approximately $5,162. Most of that total goes to Open A, while Open B, Open 30+, the rapid event, and the blitz event each have their own published prize structure. Material prizes also exist; however, they do not enter the cash total.

Beyond the main prizes, Open A also awards cash prizes for the best woman, best senior 60+, best youngster U16, and best youngster U12. Likewise, Open B adds prizes for the best woman, best senior 60+, best youngster U12, and several rating bands. Open 30+ includes extra prizes for the best woman, the best senior over 65, and two rating categories. Rapid and blitz each pay four main cash prizes.

👥 Sections / Groups

First, strong open players can enter the master section. Next, club players under 2000 and unrated competitors have Open B. In addition, players born in 1996 and earlier can choose the dedicated 30+ event. Therefore, the festival serves several player groups without making the structure confusing.

🗓️ Schedule

The schedule keeps a steady rhythm for the three classical opens. At the same time, it places rapid and blitz neatly inside the same festival week. Consequently, players can add extra rated events without changing hotels or leaving the venue area.

📝 Registration

FMs, women, and players over 65 receive a 25% discount in Open A. In Open B, the same discount applies to women and players over 65. Moreover, the CZECH TOUR series gives an extra discount from the second qualifying classical start onward.

🏢 Organizer

AVE CHESS z. s. organizes Summer Prague Open as part of its long-running CZECH TOUR festival series. Because of that experience, the event offers a familiar format, clear sections, and practical hotel options for both international and local players.

Phone: +420 466 535 200
Email: office@avechess.cz

📍 Venue

Olympik hotel Tristar, U Sluncové 14, Praha 8, 186 76 Prague, Czech Republic

The festival uses the Olympik hotel complex in Prague 8. In addition, official accommodation is available in Olympik Artemis and Olympik Congress, which keeps the event practical for players who want to stay close to the playing area. Metro Invalidovna is about a five-minute walk away, so moving around Prague is simple as well.

🚆 How to Get There

The Olympik complex sits about 500 meters from Invalidovna on Metro line B, so public transport is straightforward. For air travel, Václav Havel Airport is the nearest international gateway. Meanwhile, drivers can use the parking area next to the hotel for CZK 250 per day.

Summer Prague Open 2026 combines strong classical chess, useful side events, and a convenient Prague festival base.