Wroclaw Chess Festival 2025
Wrocław becomes a December chess hotspot with the Wroclaw Chess Festival 2025 – Open A & Open B running from 13-19 December 2025 at the Park Hotel Diament, Wrocław, Poland. The festival brings together titled stars and ambitious club players for a nine-round classical competition in two rating bands, complemented by side events, education sessions, and business networking.
Across a packed week, both Opens share a synchronized schedule and professional conditions: classical FIDE time control, Swiss-system pairings, two optional half-point byes in early rounds, and a clear tie-break order. Players also enjoy a dedicated education zone and a special accommodation discount at the host hotel, making participation convenient and cost-effective.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 13-19 December 2025 |
| 📍 Location | Park Hotel Diament, Wrocław, Poland |
| ♟️ Format | 9-Round Swiss, classical (both Open A & Open B) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move from move 1 (both Opens) |
| ⭐ Rating | Submitted for FIDE and national ratings |
| ✅ Eligibility | Open A: FIDE 2100+ (no exceptions) • Open B: FIDE ≤2150 |
| 🧾 Half-Point Byes | Up to two ½-point byes allowed in rounds 1–7 (declare before the next round is paired) |
| 🏅 Tie-Breaks | Points → Buchholz Cut-1 → Buchholz → Berger → Progress → Head-to-Head → Wins → Wins with Black |
| 🌐 Website | https://wroclawchessfestival.pl/en/open-a.html • https://wroclawchessfestival.pl/en/open-b.html |
🏆 Prize Fund
(Amounts in PLN; prizes are listed per tournament.)
Open A – Guaranteed Main Prizes
| Place | Prize | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10,000 | 7 | 2,000 |
| 2 | 7,000 | 8 | 1,000 |
| 3 | 6,000 | 9 | 800 |
| 4 | 4,500 | 10 | 800 |
| 5 | 3,500 | 11 | 500 |
| 6 | 2,500 | 12 | 500 |
Open A – Special Prizes: Best Junior 700 • Best ≤2300: 600 • Best ≤2200: 500
Open B – Main & Category Prizes
| Place | Prize | Place / Category | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,000 | 8 | 400 |
| 2 | 1,500 | 9 | 300 |
| 3 | 1,000 | Best ≤1850 | 400 |
| 4 | 800 | Best ≤1700 | 350 |
| 5 | 700 | Best ≤1550 | 300 |
| 6 | 600 | ||
| 7 | 500 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Both Opens: 90’ + 30″ increment from move 1.
Swiss-system (9 rounds).
Half-point byes: up to 2 in rounds 1–7 (must be requested on time).
Tie-breaks as listed in Event Details.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open A | FIDE 2100+ only | No exceptions; designed for titled/advanced players |
| Open B | FIDE ≤2150 | Ideal for developing/club players; own prize pool |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, 13 Dec | 16:30 | Round 1 (Open A & B) |
| Sun, 14 Dec | 16:30 | Round 2 |
| Mon, 15 Dec | 10:30 | Round 3 |
| Mon, 15 Dec | 16:30 | Round 4 |
| Tue, 16 Dec | 16:30 | Round 5 |
| Wed, 17 Dec | 10:30 | Round 6 |
| Wed, 17 Dec | 16:30 | Round 7 |
| Thu, 18 Dec | 16:30 | Round 8 |
| Fri, 19 Dec | 10:00 | Round 9 |
| Fri, 19 Dec | 15:00 | Closing Ceremony |
📝 Registration
How to enter: Email hello@polonia.wroclaw.pl with: Name, Date of Birth, FIDE ID & Rating, and the event (Open A or Open B).
Entry Fees (PLN, by deadline):
Open A (FIDE 2100+):
| Deadline | IM / WGM / WIM & Polonia Wrocław (2100+) | FM / WFM (2100+) | Others (2100+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| By 15 Nov | 140 | 190 | 240 |
| By 30 Nov | 180 | 230 | 260 |
| After 30 Nov | 220 | 270 | 300 |
Open B (FIDE ≤2150):
| Deadline | Polonia Wrocław players | Others |
|---|---|---|
| By 15 Nov | 90 | 160 |
| By 30 Nov | 110 | 200 |
| After 30 Nov | 160 | 240 |
Payment (bank transfer after confirmation):
Beneficiary: Fundacja Klub Szachowy Polonia Wrocław
Address: Aleja Wiśniowa 47, 53-126 Wrocław
Bank: Santander Bank Polska SA
IBAN/Account: 70 1090 2398 0000 0001 5599 8863
Transfer title: Your Name + tournament name (e.g., “Jan Kowalski – Open A”)
👥 Organizer
Fundacja Klub Szachowy Polonia Wrocław (Wroclaw Chess Festival)
Email: hello@polonia.wroclaw.pl
Phone: +48 512 052 326
Festival overview & sign-up: https://wroclawchessfestival.pl/
🏨 Venue
All rounds are played at Park Hotel Diament, Wrocław — a comfortable, modern venue with prepared playing halls and on-site services ideal for a week-long festival atmosphere.
🛎️ Accommodation
The organizer offers a 20% accommodation discount for festival participants at the Park Hotel Diament.
How to redeem: book directly with the hotel and provide the festival password: SZACHY.
Rooms are limited — early booking is recommended, especially during the Christmas Market period.
🚗 How to Get There
By air/train: Arrive in Wrocław (WRO airport / Wrocław Główny station) and connect by taxi or public transport to the hotel.
By car: City-center location with nearby parking options; allow extra time due to holiday traffic.
Local transport: Frequent tram and bus services operate around the hotel and historic center.
Other
Festival extras: Education Zone (free workshops), Teacher Conference, Blitz tournament, and Chess & Business Mixer with a charity event.
Arbitration & pairings: Swiss pairings published each round; bring your FIDE ID to streamline registration.
Conduct: FIDE Laws of Chess apply; mobile devices must remain switched off in the playing area.
Enjoy a festive week of classical chess in the heart of Lower Silesia — choose Open A for elite-level battles or Open B for competitive club play, and experience the Wroclaw Chess Festival 2025 at its finest!
Organizer
Fundacja Klub Szachowy Polonia Wrocław is a leading chess tournament organizer in Poland, active across Wrocław and the Lower Silesia region. The foundation runs a year-round program of FIDE- and PZSzach-rated events—open, rapid, and blitz—supported by structured junior pathways and club training. Flagship projects include the Wroclaw Chess Festival and popular development tournaments such as Pierwszy Krok and Drugi Krok, alongside regular weekend opens that strengthen participation and performance in Polish chess.
Recognized for professional logistics, qualified arbiters, and player-friendly venues, Polonia Wrocław offers clear sections by rating, transparent regulations, and fair-play standards that appeal to ambitious juniors, adult improvers, and titled players. Its blend of community coaching and larger festivals provides dependable opportunities for rating progress and competitive experience—making it a trusted hub for open chess events in Wrocław and a consistent contributor to the national calendar.