XLI SELL Student Games 2026 Chess Tournament
The XLI SELL Student Games 2026 Chess Tournament, May 22-23, 2026, in Riga, Latvia brings university players together for a fast-paced over-the-board championship that rewards both individual performance and team consistency. The event runs two FIDE-rated competitions—rapid and blitz—under Swiss pairings, making it a strong target for students who want official rating games in a structured university-sport setting.
SELL chess emphasizes competitive fairness and a true campus-tournament atmosphere, with medals awarded across men’s, women’s, and team standings. The format keeps the action constant across both days, and the organizer aims to avoid pairings between players from the same university whenever possible.
🗓️ Event Details
| 📅 Dates | May 22-23, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Riga, Latvia |
| ♟️ Format | Swiss System (Rapid: 8 rounds · Blitz: 9 rounds) |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated (Rapid and Blitz) |
| 📂 Sections | Rapid Tournament · Blitz Tournament |
| ⏱️ Time control | Rapid: 12+5 · Blitz: 5+3 |
| 👤 Eligibility | University students entered by their university (up to 10 male and 5 female students per university) with a valid FIDE ID |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | The organizer uses Swiss-Manager for pairings and results and avoids pairings between players from the same university whenever possible. |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The event runs two separate individual Swiss tournaments using the Swiss-Manager pairing program. The Rapid Tournament plays 8 rounds under FIDE rapid rules and counts for FIDE rapid rating. The Blitz Tournament plays 9 rounds under FIDE blitz rules and counts for FIDE blitz rating.
Time controls:
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Rapid: 12 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move from move 1
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Blitz: 5 minutes + 3 seconds increment per move from move 1
Default loss for late arrival:
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Rapid: a player who arrives more than 12 minutes late loses without playing
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Blitz: a player who arrives more than 5 minutes late loses without playing
Individual tie-breaks use improved Buchholz, then Buchholz, then start-rank achievement. The Chief Arbiter may adjust the playing system on the competition day when needed.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Tournament | University students (men and women) | Individual Swiss, 8 rounds, FIDE rapid-rated |
| Blitz Tournament | University students (men and women) | Individual Swiss, 9 rounds, FIDE blitz-rated |
📅 Schedule
Rapid Tournament (May 22)
| Date | Weekday | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Participant registration |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Tournament opening |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Round 1 |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Round 2 |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Round 3 |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Round 4 |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Lunch break |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Round 5 |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Round 6 |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Round 7 |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Round 8 |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | Awards ceremony |
Blitz Tournament (May 23)
| Date | Weekday | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | Participant registration |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | Round 1 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | Round 2 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | Round 3 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | Round 4 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | Round 5 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | Round 6 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | Round 7 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | Round 8 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | Round 9 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | Awards ceremony |
📝 Registration
| How to register | Register on site at the venue during the published registration window each day |
| On-site registration (Rapid) | May 22, 2026 (Friday): 10:15–10:45 |
| On-site registration (Blitz) | May 23, 2026 (Saturday): 10:15–10:45 |
| Eligibility requirement | Participants must have a FIDE ID registered with their national federation |
| University limits | Up to 10 male and 5 female students per university |
👥 Organizer
The SELL Student Games organizing team runs the chess competition as a two-day university championship with separate rapid and blitz events, official arbiters, and medal awards across individual and team standings. The Chief Arbiter leads tournament operations and publishes official coordination through the listed contacts.
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Email: alberts.cimins@inbox.lv
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Phone: +371 28804664 (WhatsApp)
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Phone: +371 26498488 (WhatsApp)
🏨 Venue
Riga Stradins University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kuldigas street 9C, Riga, Latvia
The tournament takes place at Riga Stradins University’s Faculty of Social Sciences, providing a campus setting designed for organized student-sport competition.
🚗 How to Get There
Arrive in Riga via Riga International Airport (RIX) or by rail/bus to the city center, then use local public transport or taxi to reach Riga Stradins University at Kuldigas street 9C. Plan to arrive early to complete on-site registration before the first round begins.
Play for your university, score points for your team, and make every round count across two days of rated rapid and blitz in Riga.
🧾 Other
The event awards medals and diplomas to the top three places in the men’s, women’s, and team competitions. The team result uses the combined points of the two best male students and the best female student from each university. The organizer may provide live broadcast coverage online and at the venue.
All participants must follow the SELL Student Games Code of Ethics, which requires fair play, respect, and non-discrimination, and it prohibits cheating, manipulation, corruption, and unsporting conduct. Violations may lead to disciplinary measures, including disqualification, suspension, or withdrawal of accreditation.