Summer Rapid 2026 Vilnius takes place on August 1, 2026, in Vilnius, Lithuania. This is a chess tournament in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2026, with nine FIDE-rated rapid rounds.
The open tournament welcomes players of all levels. Moreover, the 10+5 time control and central venue make it suitable for both local players and visitors.
If at least 70 players participate, the organizer guarantees a prize fund of at least €800 / approx. $910. In addition, the field is capped at 75 players.
📌 Event Details
| 📅 Date | August 1, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Vilnius, Lithuania |
| 🏛️ Venue | Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) Community House – Pylimo g. 4, Vilnius |
| 👤 Organizer | Vilnius Chess Club |
| ♟️ Format | Individual Swiss-system rapid tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rapid rating |
| 🏁 Sections | Open field with women, student, child, senior, and rating awards |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 10 minutes plus 5 seconds per move |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| 💰 Prize Fund | At least €800 / approx. $910 if 70 players participate |
| 🌐 Official Website | https://vilniuschess.lt/lt/2026/06/12/summer-rapid-2026/ |
| 📝 Registration | andrius.paulauskas96@gmail.com |
| ♟️ Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1436843.aspx?lan=1 |
🏆 Prize Fund
If the field reaches at least 70 players, the organizer guarantees a prize fund of no less than €800 / approx. $910. The first prize will be at least €150 / approx. $180.
- Places 1–3 receive cash prizes and medals.
- Places 4–5 also receive cash prizes.
- Additional cash categories include women, students, children, seniors, and rating groups.
- A player may receive only one cash prize.
The exact distribution will be announced during the tournament. Because the total is conditional on participation, the import prize-fund field remains blank.
⏰ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses nine Swiss rounds under the FIDE rapid chess rules. Each player receives 10 minutes plus 5 seconds after every move.
The tie-break order is Median Buchholz after removing the lowest-scoring opponent, full Buchholz, progressive score, and Sonneborn-Berger.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Classification | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Open Classification | All participants |
| Women | Separate cash category |
| Students | Born in 2008 or later |
| Children | Born in 2012 or later |
| Seniors | Born in 1966 or earlier |
| Rating Groups | Several categories announced by the organizer |
🗓️ Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:00–10:50 | Arrival and on-site confirmation |
| 11:00 | Round 1 |
| After Round 5 | One-hour lunch break |
| Approximately 17:30 | Closing and prize-giving |
The remaining rounds follow consecutively around the published lunch break.
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Deadline | July 31, 2026 |
| Standard entry | €15 / approx. $20 |
| Vilnius Chess Club members | €10 / approx. $20 |
| GM, IM, WGM, WIM, and VŠK Gold members | Free |
| Maximum field | 75 players |
| Payment | Cash at the venue |
| Registration email | andrius.paulauskas96@gmail.com |
A player without a FIDE registration must provide an email address and exact date of birth. Report accessibility or other special requirements during advance registration.
👤 Organizer
Vilnius Chess Club organizes the tournament and manages registration, player communication, and the playing schedule.
| Organizer | Vilnius Chess Club |
| Tournament Director | FA Andrius Paulauskas |
| Chief Arbiter | NA Andrius Šarauskas |
| andrius.paulauskas96@gmail.com | |
| Phone | +370 696 23502 |
| Website | https://vilniuschess.lt/ |
📍 Venue
Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) Community House – Pylimo g. 4, Vilnius, Lithuania.
The venue is in central Vilnius, close to the Old Town and public-transport connections.
🏨 Accommodation
| Hotel / Option | Practical Location | Indicative Price | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panorama Hotel | Near the railway and bus stations; convenient for airport-train arrivals | about €88 / approx. $100 per night | https://www.booking.com/hotel/lt/panorama.html |
| Artis Centrum Hotels | Central Old Town; short walk or local ride to Pylimo Street | about $77 per night | https://www.hoteles.com/en/ho249531/artis-centrum-hotels-vilnius-lithuania/ |
Rates are indicative prices observed in June 2026. Recheck August 1 availability, city tax, VAT, room type, and cancellation terms.
🚗 How to Get There
| Starting Point | Recommended Route | Approx. Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Vilnius Airport | Take the airport train to Vilnius railway station, then walk or use a short local connection to Pylimo g. 4. | Train about 7–9 minutes; total about 20–35 minutes |
| Vilnius Airport by bus | Use a city bus toward the center or station area, then continue to Pylimo Street. | About 25–40 minutes |
| Railway / central bus station | Walk north toward the Old Town and Pylimo g. 4, or use a short taxi/local-bus connection. | About 10–20 minutes |
| Vilnius city center | Walk, use a local bus, or take a short taxi ride to Pylimo g. 4. | About 5–15 minutes |
Use the JUDU journey planner for current routes and arrive before registration closes at 10:50.
ℹ️ Other Information
- Registration may close before July 31 when the 75-player limit is reached.
- The exact prize distribution will be announced during the event.
- Players should report special requirements during advance registration.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $910
Organizer
The Vilnius Chess Club is one of Lithuania’s most prominent and active chess organizations, with a mission to develop and promote chess culture in the capital city and beyond. Established by a community of passionate chess players and organizers, the club has become a key driver of local chess activity, offering year-round training programs, open tournaments, and youth engagement initiatives. Its commitment to nurturing talent spans from casual enthusiasts to future masters.
Renowned for its professionalism and hospitality, the club regularly organizes major FIDE-rated events, including the annual Vilnius Open. These tournaments consistently attract both domestic and international players, thanks to excellent venues, fair play standards, and a welcoming atmosphere. In addition to competitions, the club provides high-quality coaching for players of all ages and ratings, ensuring a continuous pipeline of chess growth in the region.
Beyond the board, Vilnius Chess Club also embraces technology and community outreach, hosting hybrid events and supporting chess-in-schools programs. It aims to bridge generations through the shared language of chess and continues to serve as a cultural anchor in the Lithuanian chess scene.
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