Swiss Young Masters 2026, held March 30-April 8, 2026 in Glarus, Switzerland, brings together a selected field of ten rising talents for a compact, high-level classical event designed to challenge the best of Swiss youth against invited international titleholders. The tournament’s small round-robin format creates constant top-board pressure, supports norm ambitions, and keeps every game relevant from the first pairing to the final round.
The organizers stage the event in a dedicated tournament hall at Hotel Post Glarnerhof and publish clear operational rules on time control, lateness, appeals, and draw restrictions. With a focused prize structure and shared prizes in case of ties, the event combines professional conditions with an atmosphere built around development, fighting chess, and consistent daily competition.
🗓️ Event Details
| 📅 Dates | March 30-April 8, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Glarus, Switzerland |
| ♟️ Format | 10-player round-robin (9 rounds) |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated (Standard) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move 1 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 5,540 (approx.) |
| 👥 Capacity | 10 players |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Draw rule: no draw before move 30. Allowed lateness: 15 minutes. Appeal deadline: 1 hour after the end of the game. |
| Chess-results.com | https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1332540.aspx?lan=0&turdet=YES&SNode=S0 |
🏆 Prize Fund
| Place | Prize (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 1,500 |
| 2nd | 1,000 |
| 3rd | 800 |
| 4th | 600 |
| 5th | 400 |
If players tie on points, the tournament ranks them ex aequo and splits the prize money among the tied players.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament plays a 10-player round-robin over 9 rounds with one game per round. Each game uses 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move 1. The event applies a 15-minute default time and restricts early draws with a no-draw rule before move 30.
📂 Sections / Groups
The tournament runs as a single invitational round-robin group with 10 players.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 30, 2026 | Monday | 18:30 | Welcome, draw, and dinner |
| March 31, 2026 | Tuesday | 13:30 | Round 1 |
| April 1, 2026 | Wednesday | 13:30 | Round 2 |
| April 2, 2026 | Thursday | 13:30 | Round 3 |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | 13:30 | Round 4 |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | 13:30 | Round 5 |
| April 5, 2026 | Sunday | 13:30 | Round 6 |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | 13:30 | Round 7 |
| April 7, 2026 | Tuesday | 13:30 | Round 8 |
| April 8, 2026 | Wednesday | 10:00 | Round 9 |
| April 8, 2026 | Wednesday | 16:00 | Prize giving, departure or extra night |
📝 Registration
| Participation | By invitation |
| How to register | Contact the tournament director |
👥 Organizer
The Swiss Chess Federation organizes Swiss Young Masters 2026 together with Schachklub Glarus, running a nine-round round-robin that supports high-level junior development and international competition in central Glarus. Tournament management and arbitration are handled directly by the published tournament director, who also serves as arbiter.
Email: georg@kradolfer.info
Phone: +41 79 449 63 14
Website: https://swissyoungmasters.ch/
Website: https://www.swisschess.ch/
🏨 Venue
Hotel Post Glarnerhof, Bahnhofstrasse 2, 8750 Glarus, Switzerland
The tournament plays in the hotel’s tournament hall, providing a controlled indoor setting suited to classical time controls and daily round play.
🚗 How to Get There
Travel to Glarus by rail and continue to the town center for Bahnhofstrasse. From central Glarus, the venue address provides a straightforward arrival point for taxi or short local transfer.
Aim for consistent, disciplined classical play across nine rounds and turn every pairing into a step toward a top finish in Glarus.
🧾 Other
The tournament applies a 15-minute default time. Players may file an appeal within one hour after the end of the game. The event enforces a draw restriction before move 30.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $5,540
Organizer
The Swiss Chess Federation (Schweizerischer Schachbund – SSB) stands as the central pillar of chess development and governance in Switzerland. Established with a mission to foster and elevate the game of chess nationwide, the Federation brings together clubs, organizers, and players under one united body. It actively promotes youth chess, supports elite players, and organizes a wide range of national and international events—making Switzerland a consistent presence in the global chess community.
The Federation is responsible for overseeing prestigious tournaments such as the Swiss Championship (SEM), youth competitions, league championships, and chess education initiatives. Its commitment extends beyond just organizing events—it aims to promote chess as a cognitive, educational, and social tool in schools, communities, and across all age groups. Through transparent governance and international collaboration, the Federation represents Switzerland at FIDE and ECU events with credibility and pride.
Headquartered in Bern, the Swiss Chess Federation offers clear pathways for amateur and professional chess development. Whether you’re a student, a club-level competitor, or a seasoned grandmaster, the Federation supports your journey through its structured calendar, official ratings, and coaching network. Its modern approach to chess administration makes it one of Europe’s most respected chess institutions.