Zagreb Open 2026 – VIII Krunoslav Hulak Memorial
Zagreb Open 2026 – VIII Krunoslav Hulak Memorial runs from September 20 to 27 at Kongresna dvorana Globus within the Zagreb Fair complex. Zagrebački šahovski savez organizes the nine-round international open in memory of Croatian grandmaster Krunoslav Hulak. Moreover, the official regulations publish a detailed timetable, entry structure, category prizes, equipment arrangements, and player-conduct rules.
The tournament uses 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move one. The organizer submits results for FIDE standard rating. Therefore, players should complete registration by the published deadline, verify their FIDE data, and plan for evening rounds throughout most of the week.
📌 Event Details
| 📅 Dates | September 20–27, 2026 |
| 🌍 Location | Zagreb, Croatia |
| 📍 Venue | Kongresna dvorana Globus, Zagrebački velesajam – Avenija Dubrovnik 15, 10020 Zagreb, Croatia |
| 🏢 Organizer | Zagrebački šahovski savez |
| ♟️ Format | Individual nine-round Swiss-system classical tournament |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, plus 30 seconds per move from move one |
| 📊 Rating | FIDE standard rating |
| 📝 Registration Deadline | September 19, 2026 at 20:00 |
| 🔗 Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1441656.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Each player receives 90 minutes for the first 40 moves and 30 additional minutes for the rest of the game. In addition, the clock adds 30 seconds after every move from move one.
The organizer uses nine Swiss rounds and submits the event for FIDE standard rating. Consequently, players must keep a complete score sheet whenever the Laws of Chess require notation. The official tie-break order and arbiter rulings determine the final ranking.
🏆 Prize Fund
The complete published cash-prize schedule totals €9,450. Using the reference exchange rate applied for this batch, the total equals approximately $10,770. The table keeps every individual award in the original currency.
| Prize Group | Published Cash Awards |
|---|---|
| Overall Places 1–10 | €2,000, €1,500, €1,000, €800, €600, €450, €350, €250, €150, €100 |
| Women 1–3 | €200, €150, €100 |
| Rating 1801–2000 | €100 |
| Rating 2001–2100 | €150 |
| Rating 2101–2200 | €200 |
| Veterans 1–3 | €200, €150, €100 |
| Juniors 1–3 | €200, €150, €100 |
| Cadets 1–3 | €200, €150, €100 |
The organizer applies the prize conditions from the official regulations. Therefore, players should review category eligibility, prize-sharing rules, and any restriction on combining awards before the final round.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility / Dates | Format / Award |
|---|---|---|
| Main Open | All accepted players | Overall places 1–10 |
| Women | Eligible female players | Three category prizes |
| Rating 1801–2000 | Players within the published rating band | One category prize |
| Rating 2001–2100 | Players within the published rating band | One category prize |
| Rating 2101–2200 | Players within the published rating band | One category prize |
| Veterans | Players who meet the official age condition | Three category prizes |
| Juniors | Players who meet the official age condition | Three category prizes |
| Cadets | Players who meet the official age condition | Three category prizes |
All participants play in one Swiss field. However, the regulations add several category-award groups to the overall standings.
Players should confirm which official rating list and age date determine their category. Consequently, they can report any classification error before the final standings.
🗓️ Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| September 20 | 18:00 | Round 1 |
| September 21 | 18:00 | Round 2 |
| September 22 | 18:00 | Round 3 |
| September 23 | 18:00 | Round 4 |
| September 24 | 18:00 | Round 5 |
| September 25 | 18:00 | Round 6 |
| September 26 | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| September 26 | 18:00 | Round 8 |
| September 27 | 10:00 | Round 9 and subsequent awards |
Most rounds begin at 18:00, while the final weekend contains morning rounds and a double-round Saturday. Therefore, players should plan meals, rest, and transport around the September 26 schedule.
The organizer may issue operational updates before the tournament. In addition, players should monitor the official site for the final registration and opening instructions.
📝 Registration
Registration closes on September 19, 2026 at 20:00. The standard fee is €80, while women, U20 players, and players aged 65 or older pay €60 under the published rules.
GM, WGM, IM, and WIM title holders receive free entry. Moreover, every participant should confirm the payment process and acceptance status directly through the official organizer channel.
👤 Organizer
Zagrebački šahovski savez organizes the memorial. The federation-level city association publishes the tournament notice and the complete regulations.
The organizer provides chess equipment. Therefore, players should focus on completing their registration, bringing the required personal documents, and following the venue and dress rules.
📍 Venue
Kongresna dvorana Globus, Zagrebački velesajam – Avenija Dubrovnik 15, 10020 Zagreb, Croatia.
The Globus congress hall forms part of the Zagreb Fair complex in Novi Zagreb. The site has city-transport connections and direct road access from the wider metropolitan area.
The regulations require appropriate appearance and health responsibility. Moreover, they prohibit alcohol and personal electronic devices such as phones and smart watches in the playing area.
🚗 How to Get There
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| From Zagreb Central Station | Use the ZET tram/bus network toward Novi Zagreb and the Zagreb Fair area. Confirm the current route through ZET. |
| From Zagreb Airport | Take the airport bus or another transfer toward the main bus station, then continue by city transport or taxi to the fairgrounds. |
| By car | Approach via Avenija Dubrovnik and follow Zagreb Fair signs. Drivers should check the current fair parking entrance and event-day fees. |
| By international rail or coach | Continue from the central railway station or main bus station through the city network. Evening rounds make late return times important. |
| Daily planning | Because most rounds start at 18:00, verify the late-evening public-transport schedule before each round. |
Transport schedules, road conditions, and parking rules can change. Therefore, participants should verify the final route shortly before departure and keep the organizer’s contact details available.
🏨 Accommodation Near the Venue
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Mövenpick Zagreb | Official site: https://movenpick.accor.com/en/europe/croatia/zagreb/hotel-zagreb.html. A Novi Zagreb option; verify the route to Zagreb Fair. |
| Hotel Aristos | Official site: https://www.hotel-aristos.hr/. Confirm public-transport or taxi access for evening rounds. |
| Hotel Diplomat | Official site: https://hotel-diplomat.hr/. A southern Zagreb alternative with onward access to the venue. |
| Central Zagreb | The city center offers a wider room supply. However, participants should compare late-night transport after the 18:00 rounds. |
Accommodation is not included unless the organizer confirms otherwise. Consequently, participants should verify price, availability, cancellation terms, breakfast hours, and the exact transfer to the venue directly with the property.
ℹ️ Other Information
- The event honors grandmaster Krunoslav Hulak.
- The organizer provides boards, sets, and clocks.
- The tournament contributes to FIDE standard rating.
- September 26 contains two rounds.
- Phones and smart watches are prohibited in the playing area under the published rules.
- The regulations prohibit alcohol at the event.
- Players should keep proof of registration and payment.
- The official regulations control category eligibility and prize allocation.
✅ Final Checks Before Travel
Before departure, participants should recheck the official player list, current regulations, venue address, and organizer messages. Moreover, they should save the route and leave enough time for check-in.
Tournament information can change as registration closes. Therefore, the latest official notice takes priority over preliminary listings. In addition, players should reconfirm round times, section placement, fees, awards, and transport shortly before the event.
Finally, visitors should keep the organizer’s contact details available during the journey. Consequently, they can resolve a late venue change, delayed connection, or entry question without relying on an older document.
🔗 Official Resources
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $10,770
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Zagrebački šahovski savez, or the Zagreb Chess Association, is the umbrella organization for chess clubs operating in Zagreb, Croatia. It works to promote chess, coordinate city competitions, support affiliated clubs, and develop players at different ages and competitive levels.
The association operates within the structure of the Croatian Chess Federation. It connects Zagreb’s clubs with city, national, and international competitions while also maintaining a regular calendar of tournaments at its headquarters and other venues across the Croatian capital.
Andrija Fiamengo serves as President of the association. Krešimir Podravec serves as Secretary and handles many administrative and tournament-related enquiries. The association is governed through its assembly and management board, which oversee competitions, finances, club cooperation, and development programs.
Its headquarters on Masarykova Street provide a central venue for tournaments, meetings, and regular chess activities. The association also cooperates with schools, sports institutions, tournament venues, arbiters, and the Sports Association of the City of Zagreb.
🏆 Zagreb Open and City Competitions
One of the association’s principal international events is the Zagreb Open – Krunoslav Hulak Memorial. The competition honors Croatian Grandmaster Krunoslav Hulak and attracts titled players, experienced club competitors, juniors, and international participants.
The Zagreb Open 2026 – VIII Krunoslav Hulak Memorial takes place from September 20 to 27, 2026. The tournament is held in the Globus Congress Hall at Zagreb Fair and consists of nine classical Swiss-system rounds.
The association provides the playing equipment and manages registrations, scheduling, regulations, and prize distribution. The tournament offers general cash prizes together with reduced entry fees for women, juniors, and senior players. Grandmasters and international masters may enter without paying the standard fee.
Zagrebački šahovski savez also organizes the City of Zagreb Individual Championships. Separate competitions serve cadets, juniors, senior players, veterans, and other age groups. These championships give players the opportunity to earn city titles and progress toward national-level competition.
The City of Zagreb Cup provides formal team competition for affiliated clubs. The leading team earns access to the final stage of the Croatian Cup under the applicable qualification rules.
Other recurring events include the New Year Tournament – Mijo Udovčić Memorial, regular Tuesday blitz tournaments, Easter competitions, student tournaments, and various rapid and classical events. Many of these competitions count toward Croatian or FIDE ratings.
🌱 Youth Chess and Development
Youth development forms an important part of the association’s work. Zagrebački šahovski savez organizes city championships for boys and girls in several age categories, including competitions for younger cadets and older junior players.
The association works with affiliated clubs and Zagreb schools to give children access to instruction and formal competition. Young players can begin with local activities before progressing to city championships, Croatian youth events, team leagues, and international tournaments.
Its city championships use age-based sections so that children compete against players at a similar stage of development. The association provides tournament equipment, qualified officials, published pairings, and clear participation rules.
The association also coordinates Zagreb’s wider club structure. Its affiliated organizations range from leading national-league teams to smaller community clubs. Therefore, players can find training and competition suited to different ratings, ages, and ambitions.
Major events such as the Zagreb Open and the historic Tournament of Peace also connect local players with strong international competitors. At the same time, regular tournaments at the Masarykova headquarters ensure that club players have frequent access to over-the-board chess.
Through city championships, international tournaments, club coordination, and youth activities, Zagrebački šahovski savez continues to support the development of chess throughout Zagreb.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
