Warsaw Chess Festival 2026 brings two important memorial events to Warsaw, Poland, from June 26 to July 5, 2026. The festival takes place at the sports hall on Konwiktorska 5/7 and continues one of Poland’s strongest summer chess traditions.

The program starts with the VI Jan Macieja Memorial on June 26. This opening event is an 11-round FIDE-rated blitz tournament. After that, the festival continues with the XXV Mieczysław Najdorf Memorial, a 9-round classical tournament played from June 27 to July 5.

The festival offers a total published prize fund of 70,000 PLN, approx. USD 19,400. In addition, all groups are submitted for FIDE rating. Therefore, players can choose the right section based on blitz or standard rating and still enjoy a serious international tournament atmosphere.

🏁 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The VI Jan Macieja Memorial uses an 11-round Swiss system. Both blitz groups use 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move. As a result, the festival begins with a complete FIDE-rated blitz event before the classical tournament starts.

The XXV Mieczysław Najdorf Memorial uses a 9-round Swiss system in three groups. Open A and Open B use 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, with 30 seconds increment from move 1. Meanwhile, Open C uses 90 minutes for the whole game, with 30 seconds increment from move 1.

Tie-breaks follow a clear order. First comes Buchholz Cut 1. Then the organizer applies Buchholz, number of wins, progressive score, and finally drawing of lots. In addition, the allowed lateness lasts until a player’s time expires in blitz games and 30 minutes in classical games.

💰 Prize Fund

The festival offers a total published prize fund of 70,000 PLN, approx. USD 19,400. The blitz memorial carries 20,000 PLN, approx. USD 5,550. Meanwhile, the classical Najdorf Memorial carries 50,000 PLN, approx. USD 13,900.

VI Jan Macieja Memorial – Blitz Prizes

XXV Mieczysław Najdorf Memorial – Main Prizes

XXV Mieczysław Najdorf Memorial – Special Prizes

Prizes are paid in PLN and listed as gross amounts. Moreover, prizes are not shared. One player may receive a maximum of two prizes, and players must attend the award ceremony to collect any prize.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The festival separates players by rating level. Therefore, stronger players can choose the higher groups, while developing players get more balanced pairings in the lower groups.

📅 Schedule

The festival schedule is simple to follow. First, the blitz event opens the program on Friday evening. After that, the classical tournament runs with evening rounds for most of the week. Finally, the last round and closing ceremony take place on Sunday.

📝 Registration

Entry Fees

Grandmasters and women grandmasters do not pay the entry fee in the Macieja Memorial or the Najdorf Memorial. In addition, players born in 1961 or earlier pay 50%. U18 children from families with more than one child playing in the festival also pay 50%.

Payment Details

Players should complete payment before the deadline to avoid the late surcharge. In addition, foreign players should check bank fees in advance, since international transfers may take extra time.

👤 Organizer

The Fundacja Szachowa im. gen. Kazimierza Sosnkowskiego organizes Warsaw Chess Festival 2026 under the honorary patronage of Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw. The Polish Chess Federation, Mazovian Chess Federation, and LXII Sports Championship High School in Warsaw support the event as partners.

Phone: +48 603 391 318
Email: mariamacieja@o2.pl
Website: https://www.poloniachess.pl/warsaw_chess_festival/turniej_2026/

📍 Venue

Sports hall, ul. Konwiktorska 5/7, 00-216 Warsaw, Poland

The venue is the sports hall at LXII Sports Championship High School in Warsaw. It gives the festival a central city location near the Old Town. In addition, players can use nearby public transport, hotels, cafés, and restaurants.

🛏️ Accommodation

The official organizer hotel is Hotel Ibis Warszawa Stare Miasto, located at ul. Muranowska 2, about 300 meters from the playing hall. Invited players covered by the organizer will stay at this hotel.

Other players arrange accommodation independently. However, the central venue location gives visitors many hotel and apartment options within walking distance or a short public transport ride.

🚗 How to Get There

The playing hall is located on Konwiktorska Street in central Warsaw. Players can reach the venue by taxi, rideshare, city bus, tram, or metro connection.

Warsaw Central Railway Station gives easy access for players arriving by train. Moreover, Warsaw Chopin Airport serves most international arrivals, while Warsaw Modlin Airport may also work for some low-cost routes.

ℹ️ Other

The festival applies FIDE-rated tournament rules. If a player loses by forfeit and does not explain the absence before the round ends, the organizer removes that player from the tournament.

Electronic-device rules differ by format. In blitz events, players may have switched-off devices. However, in classical events, players may keep switched-off devices only in a bag placed next to the playing table. The organizer also plans random electronic-device checks during the Open events.

Players must insure themselves for the tournament period. In addition, visa invitation letters are issued only after payment of the required entry fees.

Warsaw Chess Festival 2026 offers a strong memorial program, FIDE-rated blitz and classical sections, a central Warsaw venue, and one of Poland’s important summer chess festival traditions.