Under the Patronage of H.H Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Organizing Committee has the honor of inviting you to take part in the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, an annual event that will be held in Abu Dhabi, from 15th to 24th August 2025
15th-24th August 2025
31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival..
Under the Patronage of
H.H Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council
Organizer
Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind Games is organizing the festival in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Sports Council and guarantees the tournament will be held in accordance with FIDE chess rules and regulations.
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Festival Tournaments
Masters
FIDE Standard Rated
Open to all FIDE-rated players with a Standard published rating of 2300 ELO and above (as of 1st of August 2025).
The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move.
The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move.
Open A
FIDE Standard Rated
FIDE Rated Open for players with ELO 2299 and below (as of 1st August 2025).
The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move.
The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move.
Open B
FIDE Standard Rated
FIDE Rated Open for players with ELO 1999 and below (as of 1st August 2025).
The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move.
The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move.
Juniors Under 16
FIDE Standard Rated
Open to all juniors under 16 (born in 2009 and later) with a Standard published rating of 1999 ELO and below (as of 1st August 2025).
Blitz - Open
FIDE Blitz Rated
FIDE Rated, Swiss system, 11 rounds, 3 min + 2 sec increment
Blitz Under 16
FIDE Blitz Rated
FIDE Rated, open to Juniors U16, Swiss system, 11 rounds, 3 min + 2 sec increment
Individual Inter-Schools
Open for all kids Under 17
Open for all kids under 17 (born in 2008 and after): 12 separate categories from Under 7 to Under 17 (Boys/Girls)
Blitz Seniors
>50 years
Open for players aged 50 years and above. Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment.
Blitz - Ladies
FIDE Blitz Rated
FIDE Rated (girls only), Swiss system, 9 rounds, 3 min + 2 sec increment
Abu Dhabi Chess Academy Tournament
Open for Under 18 (born 2006 and after) school students or chess academies students based in UAE (UAE Residents). Swiss system, 9 rounds, time control of 3 minutes + 2
Family Team Tournament
Open for teams of 2 players (player + one parent Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time .control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds. Free Registration
Community Teams Tournament
Open for teams of 3 players (2 playing + 1 substitute), UAE Residents with same nationality. The team will represent their country (or city). Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 3 minutes +2 seconds increment
People of Determination Chess tournament
Open to members for People of Determination Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds ’ increment . Free Registration
Simultaneous exhibition
Held by a renowned international GM. Open for Abu Dhabi Chess Club players only
Government Department Teams Chess Tournament
open for government departments in the UAE, each teams 3 players (2 playing + 1 substitute), Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 3 minutes +2 seconds increment
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
TIEBREAK
- Direct encounter (T he Result of t he Playe rs in the Sam e Po int Group)
- BUCHHOLZ (Cut 1)
- BUCHHOLZ (Cut 2)
- SONNEBORN
- ARCO (Average rating of opponents Cut 1)
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Tournament Prizes
- The prizes in the Masters Tournament (2nd to 15th) will be awarded based on the Hort-System.
- The first prize will not be shared and will be awarded based on the tiebreak.
- For all other events (except the Masters), the prizes will be awarded based on the tie-break and will not be shared.
- Tie break System: 1. Direct Encounter; 2. Bucholtz (Cut 1) 3. Bucholtz (Cut 2) 4. Sonneborn-
Berger; 5. ARCO (Cut 1) - Prize winners are obliged to follow the dress code of business casual/elegant casual or smart casual. No shorts, hats, caps, sneakers, or slippers
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Hotel & Playing Venue
The Official Hotel and playing venue for the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival will be the luxurious 5* Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotel.
The 5* St. Regis Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotel (2 min walk to Radisson Blu) will be the partner of the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival and will offer discounted room rates to all participants, regardless of the events they are registered for.
All tournaments will be played in the 5* Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotel.
Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotel
- Single room (1 person): 495 AED
- Double room (2 persons): 570 AED
- Triple room (3 persons): 655 AED – limited availability on a first-come first first-served basis
All prices include full board (3 meals/day)
St. Regis Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotel
- Single room (1 person): 725 AED
- Double room (2 persons): 725 AED
All prices include full board (3 meals/day)
Both hotels are offering free beach access and adrenaline-filled activities from the newly launched Surf Pool, Adventure Park, Zip Line, Wave Pool, and Lazy River, all free of charge.
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Registration & Tournament Registration Fees
- Registration is accepted online only
- The last day of registration is 15th July 2025. Entry fees and related payments must be paid to confirm the registration. The entry fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
- All participating players and accompanying persons agree to fully comply with the regulations of the tournament and the organizer.
- The organizing committee reserves the right to accept or deny a participant’s registration according to FIDE Rules and Regulations and UAE Laws.
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Visa & Visa Charges
- Visa rules are subject to change. Kindly confirm with your airline prior booking
- Players / accompany persons who require a visa are requested to upload and attach a clear scanned colored copy of their passports and scanned colored personal photo in the online application
- Entry Visas to the UAE Issued for eligible participants subject to the approval of the GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF RESIDENCY & FOREIGNER AFFAIRS – UAE and will be valid for 30 days from the date of arrival
- Visa Fees must paid in in order to Issue the Visa
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Playing Schedule
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Appeal Committee
- In the Technical Meeting an Appeals Committee of five persons (three regular and two substitutes) will be selected.
- Appeals against decisions of the Chief Arbiter and/or the Arbiters must be submitted in written and signed form to the Chairman of the Appeals Committee within one hour after the completion of the playing session.
- An Appeal shall be submitted with an accompanying fee of USD 200 or its equivalent in the local currency.
- If the Appeal is accepted, the above fee will be returned; otherwise, it shall be forfeited to the Organizing Committee.
