Zori Karpat Chess Festival 2026 will take place from August 1–9, 2026 at Mykulychyn Lyceum in Mykulychyn, Ukraine. The Yaremche municipal education, culture, sports and youth authorities organize the festival with support from the regional chess community. Therefore, the program combines serious classical competition with rapid, blitz and junior events in one Carpathian destination.

Players will compete in five separate Swiss-system competitions. The published time control is 90+30 for Groups A and B, 10+5 for Groups C and D, and 3+2 for Group E. Moreover, the multi-format structure gives titled players, club competitors, juniors and young beginners a suitable section. The regulations publish fixed prizes for the main groups and participation-based prize pools for the faster events.

Mykulychyn Lyceum hosts the complete festival program at one address in the Carpathian village. In addition, the region provides guesthouses, cottages and regional transport connections through Yaremche and Ivano-Frankivsk. Consequently, players should review the registration rules, schedule, travel arrangements and official resources before making non-refundable bookings.

🗓️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Groups A and B each use a nine-round classical Swiss system at 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move.

Meanwhile, Groups C and D use 10 minutes plus 5 seconds per move, and Group E uses 3 minutes plus 2 seconds. Each competition keeps its own pairings and standings.

🏆 Prize Fund

The regulations publish fixed prizes for Groups A and B, while Groups C, D and E use prize pools linked to entry-fee income. Therefore, the total festival fund depends partly on participation.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The organizer assigns players to five competition groups. Consequently, participants should review the eligibility criteria before selecting a category.

📅 Schedule

The official regulations provide a complete nine-day timetable. Therefore, players can coordinate accommodation and travel around the exact competition program.

📝 Registration

Registration closes on July 29, 2026. Entry fees depend on the selected group, and the regulations provide 50% discounts for several eligible categories.

Moreover, GM, WGM, IM and WIM title holders receive free entry under the published conditions.

👤 Organizer

📍 Venue

Mykulychyn Lyceum – 2 Shkilna Street, Mykulychyn, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, Ukraine

Mykulychyn Lyceum hosts the complete festival program. Therefore, all five competitions share one practical arrival point and one local base.

The village lies in the Carpathian Mountains near Yaremche and provides access to guesthouses, restaurants and outdoor recreation.

🏨 Accommodation

The organizer directs participants to established regional accommodation portals for rooms, guesthouses and cottages. Since August is a high-demand tourism period, players should book early.

Moreover, participants should compare the walking or driving distance from the selected property to Mykulychyn Lyceum.

🚆 How to Get There

Mykulychyn sits on the main road and railway corridor between Ivano-Frankivsk, Yaremche and the Bukovel area. Therefore, players can arrive by regional train, bus, taxi or private car.

International visitors normally travel through Lviv or Ivano-Frankivsk before continuing into the Carpathians.

ℹ️ Other Information

The organizer uses separate pairings and standings for every competition group. In addition, participants must follow the chief arbiter’s instructions and the safety requirements in force during the festival.

Key Tournament Rules

Official Resources