7th International Youth Chess Festival "Lake Queen" 2026 - BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS (North Macedonia, Struga, 5-8/9/2026)

GENERAL REGULATIONS

1. Invitation

Chess Club "Youth Chess School" Struga is pleased to invite all young chess players to participate in the 7th International Youth Chess Festival "Lake Queen" 2026 – BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS, to be held at Hotel Drim, Struga, (North Macedonia) from 5–8 September 2026.

2. Eligibility for Participation

Right to participate is granted to the best-ranked players (1st–3rd place) from the National

Youth Championships 2026 in the categories U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18, in both Open and Girls sections.

The organizer reserves the right to invite players outside the criteria defined in the tournament regulations.

The participants will be divided into three tournaments according to age groups:

• А Тournament – U18 (players born in 2008 or later)

• B Тournament – U14 (players born in 2012 or later)

• C Тournament – U10 (players born in 2016 or later)

Boys and girls will play together.

Players will be required to submit proof of their achieved ranking/place in the national youth tournaments.

All players are required to confirm their participation by registering in person at the playing hall of Hotel Drim in Struga no later than 10:30 a.m. on 5 September 2026.

3. Playing System

The list of registered players will be published on the Chess-Results website: https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1451056.aspx?lan=1&SNode=S0

The tournaments will be played using the Swiss or Berger system, depending on the number of registered players in each tournament, in accordance with FIDE rules for standard chess.

Time control:

А Tournament – 60 minutes + 30 seconds per move starting from move one

B Tournament – 60 minutes + 30 seconds per move starting from move one

C Tournament – 60 minutes + 30 seconds per move starting from move one

Depending on the number of participants, the Organizer reserves the right to change the format of tournaments.

Tournaments will be rated by FIDE.

4. Prize

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first-place winner in each of the three tournaments.

Trophies and medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in all tournaments;

Gold medals for the best players:

• Under 16

• Under 12

• Under 8

Gold medals will be awarded to the best-ranked girls in each of the three tournaments.

Gold medal for the youngest participant of the festival.

Certificates of participation for all competitors.

Payment of Cash Prizes:

• For domestic players, prizes will be paid via bank transfer no later than 10 days after the end of the festival;

• For foreign players, prizes will be paid in cash on the day of the closing of the festival.

5. Tie-break Criteria

In case of equal points, the following tie-break criteria will be applied:

• Direct encounter

• Buchholz (-1)

• Buchholz

• Sonneborn–Berger (SB)

Special prizes are not cumulative. If a player wins a prize in the general classification, the special prize shall be awarded to the next best-placed eligible participant in the respective category.

6. Tournament Committee

• The Tournament Committee shall consist of 3 members (a chairman and members)

• Responsible for resolving all possible appeals and disputes.

• Its decisions are final and binding.

7. The entry fee for all tournaments is 800 denars per participant.

8. Registration and deadlines

• Registration: 01.09.2026

PLAYER REGISTRATION

• The deadline for hotel reservations is: 01.09.2026

• Early hotel reservation deadline : 15.08.2026

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

9. Playing Hall, Reservations Accommodation

• The tournament will be played in the Congress Hall of Hotel Drim in Struga.

• Reservations must be made exclusively through the Organizer.

Hotel Drim Struga – 4★ Superior – http://www.drim.com.mk

The prices are valid for accommodation from 4 to 8 September and apply to both players and accompanying persons.

Single room per person – full board 75 eur

Double room per person – full board 55 eur

Triple and quadruple rooms per person – full board 50 eur

Children up to 6 years – full board Free

Children up to 12 years (in a room with 2 adults) full board 32 eur

Early booking 5% discount

The price includes: Spa center, Fitness center, Bowling alley

10. Schedule

The number of rounds and the playing schedule will be determined based on the final number of registered participants.

11. For information

International Youth Chess Festival “Lake Queen”

FB: International Youth Chess Festival "Lake Queen"

Information : Youth Chess School Struga

Tel: +389 77 897 218

Tournament Director: Gjoko Koteski

E-mail: lake_queen@yahoo.com

Organizer

Chess Club "Youth Chess School" Struga