OFFICIAL REGULATIONS
ORGANIZERS
Chess Club “Arda” - Kardzhali and Kardzhali Municipality
VENUE
GUARANTEED PRIZE FUND - €4,000
CLASSICAL U2400 - €3,500
OPEN BLITZ - €500
KARDZHALI YOUTH CENTER
CONTENTS
1 Aim and Character of the Festival
2 Classical U2400
3 Classical Tournament Schedule
4 Prize Fund - Classical U2400
5 Special Prizes
6 Prize Distribution Rules
7 Tie-Break Criteria
8 Kardzhali Open Blitz
9 Prize Fund - Open Blitz
10 Total Festival Prize Fund
11 Rules of Play
12 Fighting Chess Rule
13 Electronic Devices and Fair Play
14 Recording the Games
15 Publication of Pairings and Results
16 Playing Venue and Accommodation
17 Entry Fees
18 Registration
19 Arbiters
20 Appeals
21 Prize-Giving Ceremony
22 Organizational Rights
23 Contacts
CLASSICAL U2400 OPEN BLITZ
7 rounds FIDE Standard rated 60+30 time control Eligibility: rating up to 2399
9 rounds FIDE Blitz rated 3+2 time control Open - no rating restriction
Total guaranteed cash prize fund: €4,000. Trophies, medals and other material prizes are additional to the cash prize fund.
1. AIM AND CHARACTER OF THE FESTIVAL
Chess Club “Arda” - Kardzhali and Kardzhali Municipality organize the KARDZHALI INTERNATIONAL CHESS
FESTIVAL 2026 - a three-day chess festival focused on high-level competitive chess and on establishing Kardzhali as an active tournament destination.
The festival consists of two separate tournaments:
1. CLASSICAL U2400 - a 7-round classical tournament submitted for FIDE Standard rating.
2. KARDZHALI OPEN BLITZ - an open blitz tournament with a 3+2 time control.
The total guaranteed cash prize fund is €4,000. Trophies, medals and other material prizes are additional to the cash prize fund.
2. CLASSICAL U2400
2.1. Eligibility
The tournament is open to Bulgarian and foreign players with a published FIDE Standard rating of up to 2399 inclusive, as well as players without a published international rating.
Eligibility and rating categories are determined using the official FIDE Standard Rating List for the month in which the tournament is held.
Players without an international rating must have a valid FIDE ID or complete the required registration through their national federation before the start of the tournament.
2.2. System
The tournament is played over 7 rounds under the Swiss System - Dutch System, in accordance with the current FIDE rules. Pairings are generated using software approved for FIDE Swiss tournaments.
2.3. Time Control
60 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move, starting from move one. The tournament will be submitted for FIDE Standard rating.
2.4. Scoring
Win - 1 point, Draw - 1⁄2 point, Loss - 0 points. Final standings are determined by the total number of points scored.
3. CLASSICAL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
DAY 1 - 6 NOVEMBER 2026 (FRIDAY)
Time Programme
09:30-12:30 Arrival, registration and confirmation of participation
12:30 Technical meeting
13:00 Official opening ceremony
13:30 Round 1
17:30 Round 2
DAY 2 - 7 NOVEMBER 2026 (SATURDAY)
Time Programme
09:30 Round 3
13:30 Round 4
17:15-17:45 Registration for the Open Blitz
18:00 Opening of the Kardzhali International Blitz Open
18:10-20:30 Blitz tournament
20:45 Blitz prize-giving ceremony
DAY 3 - 8 NOVEMBER 2026 (SUNDAY)
Time Programme
08:00 Round 5
11:15 Round 6
14:30 Round 7
17:40-18:00 Official closing ceremony and prize-giving
The organizer reserves the right to make minor changes to the schedule if necessary, with participants being informed in due time.
4. PRIZE FUND - CLASSICAL U2400
Main prizes - €2,800
Place Cash Prize Additional Prize
1st place €1,000 + “Kardzhali Champion” Cup + gold medal
2nd place €600 + Silver medal
3rd place €450 + Bronze medal
4th place €300 -
5th place €250 -
6th place €200 -
Total main prizes: €2,800
5. SPECIAL PRIZES - €700
Category Prize
Best female player €75 + cup
Best U18 player €100 + medal
Best U14 player €75 + medal
Best S60 player €100 + medal
Best player rated ≤2199 €100
Best player rated ≤1999 €75
Best player rated ≤1799 €75
Best Chess Club “Arda” - Kardzhali player €100 + cup
Total special prizes: €700
TOTAL CLASSICAL PRIZE FUND: €3,500
For the U18 category, players born in 2008 or later are eligible.
For the U14 category, players born in 2012 or later are eligible.
For the S60 category, players born in 1966 or earlier are eligible.
Rating categories are determined according to the official FIDE Standard rating for the month of the tournament. A player without a published FIDE Standard rating is not eligible for the U2200, U2000 or U1800 rating-category prizes.
6. PRIZE DISTRIBUTION RULES
Cash prizes are not shared between players on equal points. Final standings are determined by the tie-break criteria specified in these regulations.
A player may receive only one cash prize.
If a player qualifies both for a main-prize position and a special prize, the player receives the cash prize of the higher value.
If the values are equal, the main-prize award takes precedence and the special prize passes to the next eligible player.
Trophies, medals and other material awards may be received independently of this rule.
7. TIE-BREAK CRITERIA
1. Buchholz Cut 1 (BH-C1);
2. Buchholz (BH);
3. Sonneborn-Berger (SB);
4. Direct Encounter (DE), when applicable;
5. Number of Games Won (WON).
Tie-breaks are calculated in accordance with the FIDE Tie-Break Regulations in force on the tournament date.
8. KARDZHALI OPEN BLITZ
The blitz tournament is held as a separate event within the festival.
8.1. Eligibility
The blitz tournament is open to all players without any international rating restriction. This allows participation by grandmasters, international masters and other players rated above 2400 who are not eligible for the Classical U2400 event.
8. KARDZHALI OPEN BLITZ
8.2. System
9 rounds under the Swiss System.
8.3. Time Control
3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move from move one - 3+2. The tournament will be submitted for FIDE Blitz rating.
8.4. Programme
Time Programme
17:15-17:45 Registration and confirmation
18:00 Opening
18:10 Start of Round 1
around 20:30 Finish
20:45 Prize-giving
9. PRIZE FUND - OPEN BLITZ
€500 - first four places
Place / Prize
1st place / €200 + cup + gold medal
2nd place / €130 + silver medal
3rd place / €100 + bronze medal
4th place / €70
TOTAL: €500
Cash prizes are not shared. In the event of equal points, the same tie-break criteria are used insofar as they are applicable to the tournament.
10. TOTAL FESTIVAL PRIZE FUND
Tournament Prize Fund
Classical U2400 €3,500
Kardzhali Open Blitz €500
TOTAL €4,000
Trophies, medals and material prizes are not included in the €4,000 cash prize fund and are provided additionally by the organizer.
Tax clause: A 10% tax will be withheld from cash prizes before payment where applicable under the tax legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria. The amounts stated in these regulations are gross.
11. RULES OF PLAY
All games are played in accordance with the current FIDE Laws of Chess.
For the Classical U2400 tournament, the default time is 30 minutes after the announced starting time of the round. A player who does not arrive within this period loses the game by default, unless the Chief Arbiter decides otherwise due to proven exceptional circumstances.
For the Open Blitz tournament, the default time is until the player’s initial time has elapsed, unless the Chief Arbiter announces otherwise before the tournament starts.
12. FIGHTING CHESS RULE
In the Classical U2400 tournament, draw agreements are not permitted before Black has completed move 30.
Before that point, a draw is possible only in situations provided for by the FIDE Laws of Chess, such as stalemate, threefold repetition or another valid claim under the rules.
The purpose of this rule is to encourage meaningful and fighting chess.
13. ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND FAIR PLAY
FIDE requirements regarding mobile phones, smart watches and other electronic communication devices apply in the playing venue.
Phones and other communication devices may not be used during a game.
The organizer and the arbiters have the right to carry out checks in accordance with FIDE regulations and fair-play principles.
Any attempt at cheating, use of external assistance or other breach of sporting ethics may result in immediate removal from the tournament and reporting to the competent authorities.
14. RECORDING THE GAMES
In the Classical U2400 tournament, players are required to record their moves in accordance with the FIDE Laws of Chess.
Where possible, the organizer will provide electronic chess boards on the leading boards, and selected games may be broadcast online.
15. PUBLICATION OF PAIRINGS AND RESULTS
The starting list, pairings, results and final standings will be published in the official results system and through the festival’s information channels.
Pairings for the next round become official after publication by the arbiters.
16. PLAYING VENUE AND ACCOMMODATION
The tournament will be held at Kardzhali Youth Center.
ADDITIONAL PROVISION - ACCESS TO THE PLAYING HALL
During play, coaches and accompanying persons are not permitted to remain in the playing hall. After completing a game, a player is considered a spectator and must comply with the access and conduct rules applicable to spectators.
16. ACCOMMODATION IN KARDZHALI
HOTEL ARPEZOS - SPECIAL RATES FOR PARTICIPANTS
Single room
€49 for participants
Double room
€70 for participants
Rates include breakfast, parking, internet and access to Pulse Fitness.
+359 88 591 9604 | hotel_arpezos@mail.bg | hotelarpezos.com
OTHER ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Hotel / Contact Hotel / Contact
2. Hotel Perperikon +359 36 167 140 3. Hotel Bulgaria +359 36 122 829
4. My House Kurtoglu +359 88 345 8902 5. Hotel Sandim +359 87 816 3181
6. Meatsa Hotel +359 89 225 4473 7. Seasons Aparthotel +359 87 780 4848
8. Hotel & Restaurant Kardzhali +359 88 556 3431 9. Hotel Asara +359 88 920 1299
10. Family Hotel Gradina +359 88 870 5806
Reservations are made directly with the chosen hotel. To receive the special Hotel Arpezos rates, please state that the reservation is for participation in the chess festival.
17. ENTRY FEES
Tournament Fee
Classical U2400 €40
Open Blitz €20
Both tournaments €50
Fee exemption: Players of Chess Club “Arda” - Kardzhali, as well as players selected by the organizers, are exempt from the entry fee.
18. REGISTRATION
Advance registration is mandatory.
For registration, please provide: full name; FIDE ID; federation; FIDE Standard rating; year of birth; club; telephone/e-mail contact; participation in the Classical U2400 tournament; participation in the Open Blitz tournament; accommodation requirement.
The deadline for advance registration will be announced separately. Registration after the announced deadline will be accepted only if places are available and subject to organizer approval.
19. ARBITERS
20. APPEALS
If necessary, an Appeals Committee of three members and reserves will be appointed before the start of Round 1.
An appeal against an arbiter’s decision must be submitted in writing within 15 minutes after the conclusion of the relevant game/round.
Appeal fee: €50. The fee is refunded if the appeal is upheld.
Position Name
Chief Arbiter IA Miroslav Mitev
Deputy Chief Arbiter FA Kyamran Bilyal
Deputy Chief Arbiter FA Dimitrios Zisiadis
Arbiter NA Vladimir Pavlov
21. PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY
The prize-giving ceremony for the Open Blitz tournament will take place immediately after the blitz tournament has finished.
The official closing and prize-giving ceremony for the Classical U2400 tournament will take place after the final round.
Prize winners are expected to attend the ceremony in person unless an acceptable reason has been agreed in advance.
22. ORGANIZATIONAL RIGHTS
By submitting an entry, each player accepts these regulations and agrees that their name, sporting results, games and photographs from the public part of the event may be used for coverage and promotion of the festival in accordance with applicable law.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the organizer reserves the right to make justified changes to the schedule and organizational conditions without changing the basic sporting format or the announced guaranteed prize fund.
For all matters not expressly covered by these regulations, the current FIDE rules and regulations shall apply.
23. CONTACTS
Position - Information
Organizers - Chess Club “Arda” - Kardzhali and Kardzhali Municipality
Chief Arbiter - IA Miroslav Mitev
Deputy Chief Arbiter - FA Kyamran Bilyal
Deputy Chief Arbiter - FA Dimitrios Zisiadis
Arbiter - NA Vladimir Pavlov
Registration - miroslav_mitev90@abv.bg
Playing venue - Kardzhali Youth Center
KARDZHALI INTERNATIONAL
CHESS FESTIVAL 2026
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