UAE Cup Teams Rapid Chess Championship 2026 will be held February 28-March 1, 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, offering a fast-paced team competition designed for clubs, institutions, companies, communities, and chess academies. Organized by the UAE Chess Federation, the event brings together two-player teams in a dynamic Swiss format with rapid time controls, encouraging both competitive play and community participation.
Featuring nine rounds played across two evenings, the tournament delivers an accessible yet serious FIDE-regulated rapid event with a strong financial incentive. The championship guarantees a total cash prize fund of AED 43,500 (approximately $11,800 USD). With structured tie-break systems and professional organization, the UAE Cup provides an engaging platform for team-based rapid chess.
🗓️ Event Details
| 📅 Dates | February 28-March 1, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss Team Tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | Rapid |
| 📂 Sections | Team competition (2 players per team) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 10 minutes + 2 seconds increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | 300 AED per team |
| 💰 Prize fund | AED 43,500 (approximately $11,800 USD) |
| 👤 Eligibility | Open to all nationalities; clubs, companies, government entities, communities, and academies may enter one or more teams |
| 👥 Capacity | Registration closes at 110 teams |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Registration deadline: February 15, 2026 |
🏆 Prize Fund
The championship offers a total of AED 43,500 (approximately $11,800 USD) in cash prizes. Financial awards are not divided, and winning teams receive prizes immediately after the final round.
Championship Awards
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | 13,000 AED + cup and gold medals |
| 2nd | 9,000 AED + silver medals |
| 3rd | 6,000 AED + bronze medals |
| 4th | 4,000 AED |
| 5th | 2,000 AED |
| 6th | 1,700 AED |
| 7th | 1,300 AED |
| 8th | 1,100 AED |
| 9th | 1,000 AED |
| 10th | 900 AED |
Special Awards
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best Family Team | 500 AED |
| Best Women’s Team | 500 AED |
| Best Emirati Women’s Team | 500 AED |
| Best Emirati Men’s Team | 500 AED |
| Best Boys’ Team Under 14 | 500 AED |
| Best Girls’ Team Under 14 | 500 AED |
| Best Special Needs Team | 500 AED |
A tangible award is also presented to the chess club or academy with the highest number of participating teams.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The event follows a 9-round Swiss team system. Each team fields two main players, ranked according to the February 2026 rating list.
Tie-break order:
Match points
Game points between tied teams
Buchholz (Cut 1)
Sonneborn-Berger
If teams remain tied, a playoff match is held on two boards with a 3-minute + 2-second time control. If necessary, colors reverse until a winner emerges. For three or more tied teams, a rapid round-robin playoff determines final standings.
📂 Sections / Groups
The tournament runs as a single team championship open to all eligible organizations and communities.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 28, 2026 | Saturday | 21:30 | Round 1 |
| February 28, 2026 | Saturday | 22:10 | Round 2 |
| February 28, 2026 | Saturday | 22:50 | Round 3 |
| February 28, 2026 | Saturday | 23:30 | Round 4 |
| March 1, 2026 | Sunday | 00:10 | Round 5 |
| March 1, 2026 | Sunday | 21:30 | Round 6 |
| March 1, 2026 | Sunday | 22:10 | Round 7 |
| March 1, 2026 | Sunday | 22:50 | Round 8 |
| March 1, 2026 | Sunday | 23:30 | Round 9 |
| March 2, 2026 | Monday | 00:00 | Closing Ceremony |
📝 Registration
Teams must register before February 15, 2026. Registration closes once the event reaches 110 teams.
Entry fee: 300 AED per team
Payment methods:
• Pay at the UAE Chess Federation headquarters
• Bank transfer to the Federation account (Commercial Bank of Dubai)
Teams must complete the official registration form and submit player details including FIDE IDs.
👥 Organizer
The UAE Chess Federation organizes the championship as a national rapid team event that promotes institutional and community participation. The federation manages registration, financial processing, and tournament operations through its administrative office.
Email: uaechess@hotmail.com
Phone: +971501203767
🏨 Venue
Al Mizhar Area next to Dubai Bowling Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The venue is located in a well-connected district of Dubai, providing straightforward access for local teams and visitors while supporting a structured rapid tournament environment.
🚗 How to Get There
Dubai is served by Dubai International Airport with extensive global connections. From the airport, taxis and ride-hailing services provide direct transport to the Al Mizhar area. Plan evening travel to arrive comfortably before the first round.
Build team chemistry, calculate quickly under rapid time pressure, and compete for top honors at one of the UAE’s key community chess events.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $11,800
Regulations -
Organizer
The UAE Chess Federation is a non-profit organization responsible for organizing chess competitions within the Emirates, and it is one of the organizations affiliated with the International Chess Federation.
It was established in August 1976 with the aim of spreading and developing the game of chess as a mental and cultural sport in the various emirates of the country. It joined the membership of the International Chess Federation in 1977, then joined the Arab Chess Federation in the same year.