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 32nd Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, an annual event that will be held in Abu Dhabi, from 15th to 24th August 2026
32nd 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 2026).
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 2026).
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 2026).
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 2010 and later) with a Standard published rating of 1999 ELO and below (as of 1st August 2026).
Blitz - Open
FIDE Blitz Rated
Open for all ages and nationalities, The tournament will be a 11 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 3 min for each player and 2 seconds increment for each move
Blitz Under 16
FIDE Blitz Rated
open for juniors under 16, born in 2010 or later, The tournament will be a 11 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 3 min for each player and 2 seconds increment for each move
Blitz - Ladies
FIDE Blitz Rated
Open for Girls ( all ages and nationalities), The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 3 min for each player and 2 seconds increment for each move
International Schools
Open for all kids Under 17
Open for all kids under 17 (born in 2009 and after): 12 separate categories from Under 7 to Under 17 (Boys/Girls), The tournament will be a 7 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 5 min for each player and 2 seconds increment for each move
Abu Dhabi Chess Academy
FIDE Blitz Rated
open for juniors under 18, born in 2008 or later, The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 5 min for each player and 2 seconds increment for each move
Abu Dhabi Masters Online Tournament
For Titled Players Only, 11-round Swiss System, time control of 3 min+1-second increment after each move, The top four finishers will advance to a four-player knockout playoff that will determine the final placements
Family Teams 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
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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
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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
Seniors Blitz Tournament
open for players age 50+, The tournament will be a 7-round Swiss System with a time control of 3 min for each player and a 2-second increment after each move, starting with move 1
Corporate Individual Tournament
open for all employees in both private and public sectors, The tournament will be a 7-round Swiss System with a time control of 3 minutes for each player and a 2-second increment after each move, starting with move 1
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
TIEBREAK
- Direct encounter (T he Result of t he Players in the Same Point Group)
- BUCHHOLZ (Cut 1)
- BUCHHOLZ (Cut 2)
- SONNEBORN
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Tournament Prizes
- The prizes will be awarded based on tie-break and will not be shared, a player cannot be awarded more than one prize in the same tournament, and he will be awarded the highest prize only
- Tie break System: 1. Direct Encounter; 2. Bucholtz (Cut 1) 3. Bucholtz (Cut 2) 4. Sonneborn
- 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 will be announce soon
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Registration
- Registration is accepted online only
- Payments will only be accepted via a payment link, which will be sent by email
- The deadline for registration is 31st July 2026
- Entry fees and all related payments must be settled to confirm registration
- Unpaid application before 31st July 2026 will be rejected automatically
- The entry fee is non-refundable and non-transferable
- All participating players and accompanying people agree to fully comply with the regulations of the tournament and the organizer
- The organizing committee reserves the right to accept or deny any participant’s registration in accordance with FIDE Rules and Regulations and UAE Laws
- Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind Games Player will be exempted from all the tournaments entry fee
- Abu Dhabi Chess Academy with the Diamond and the platinum Membership will be exempted for the tournament’s entry fees
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Visa & Visa Charges & Registration fees
- 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 for eligible participants are subject to the approval of the of the UAE Authorities
- Issued visas will be valid for 30 days from the date of entry
- Visa fees must be paid in full to issue the Entry Permit
- All Visa Application fees are non-refundable
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.
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
General Information
- All players are expected to adhere to the dress code at all times during the event. This includes the playing hall and awards ceremony. Participants who do not comply with the dress code regulations may face penalties from the organizing committee.
- Smoking is forbidden in the playing hall.
- After each game, players must submit the original score sheets, signed by both players, to the arbiter.
- Players who have finished their games shall be considered as spectators and are not allowed to stay in the playing area.
- Players are asked not to bring mobile phones or any other electronic devices (even switched off) into the playing hall. Bringing any device to the playing hall will result in a forfeit.
- The arbiter may require the player to allow his clothes, bags, or other items to be inspected, in private. The arbiter or a person authorized by the arbiter for inspection shall be of the same gender as the player. If a player refuses to cooperate with these obligations, the arbiter shall take measures following Article 12.9. of the Laws of Chess.
- Random checks of players may be carried out before and after every game. • Fair Play measures will be taken according to the FIDE Anti cheating regulations. • The players shall take no action that will bring the game of chess into disrepute.
- The organizing committee reserves the right to publish photos of players taken during their matches for media and promotional use
- Players are obliged to obey Tournament Regulations.
