INVITATION AND REGULATIONS

1. Introduction

The International Chess Federation (FIDE), in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates Chess Federation (UAECF) and Al Ain Chess & Mind Games Club, are pleased to invite all FIDE Member Federations to participate in the FIDE World Junior Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026.

The Championships shall be held in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, from 1st November 2026 (Arrival Day) until 7th November 2026 (Departure Day). The Championships shall be held at the 5-star Danat Al Ain Hotel & Resort, United Arab Emirates. Participation in the Championships constitutes full acceptance of these Regulations and all applicable FIDE rules, regulations and decisions.

The Organizing Committee shall be responsible for the overall organization of the Championships, including the competition venue, accommodation, transportation, accreditation, hospitality, ceremonies, media operations and all local arrangements.

At any time, any circumstance or unforeseen situation not covered in this invitation shall be referred to EVE Commission upon authorization by the FIDE President for any kind of amendments and special arrangements.

2. Participation

The Championships are open to players from all FIDE Member Federations and entries shall be submitted exclusively by the respective FIDE Member Federations. Players must be born on or after 1 January 2006.

Entries submitted directly by players shall not be accepted. Each Federation shall ensure that all information submitted is complete and accurate. Late entries may be accepted only at the discretion of FIDE EVE and the Organizing Committee.

The champions (first place) of the 2025 FIDE World Junior U20 Rapid & Blitz Championships are personal right players and entitled to free full-board accommodation in double rooms from the arrival day to departure day.

Additionally, the top 10 players (5 Rapid + 5 Blitz) in the Open and 10 top players (5 Rapid + 5 Blitz) in the Girls’ starting lists are entitled to free full-board accommodation in double rooms from the arrival day to departure day.

The event shall consist of the following official competitions:

• FIDE World Junior Rapid Championship Open (Male)
• FIDE World Junior Blitz Championship Open (Male)
• FIDE World Junior Rapid Championship (Female)
• FIDE World Junior Blitz Championship (Female)

All Championships shall be FIDE-rated.

3. Schedule

The final schedule will be confirmed during the technical meeting.

4. Tournament System

The Championships shall be played under the FIDE Swiss System in accordance with the FIDE Laws of Chess and the FIDE Swiss Rules.

• There shall be minimum 9 rounds. Number of rounds shall be determined by FIDE EVE together with Organization according to the number of participants.
• The Rapid Championships shall be played using a time control of 15 minutes for each player with an increment of 10 seconds per move starting from move one.
• The Blitz Championships shall be played using a time control of 3 minutes for each player with an increment of 2 seconds per move starting from move one.

5. Tie Breaks

1. Direct Encounter
2. Buchholz
3. Games Won (Including games by forfeit)
4. Average rating of opponents
5. Buchholz Cut-1

6. Registration

Each Federation shall fill the online registration form with the required registration information on:

juniorrapidandblitz2026.fide.com

A username and password will be sent to each Federation by email. For any further assistance, please contact us via WhatsApp at +971-50-6649280 or by email at [email protected].

The registration shall include the participant’s full name, FIDE ID, federation, title, date of birth, passport details, accommodation requirements, arrival and departure information and contact details.

The deadline for registration, hotel reservations and receipt of all applicable payments is 20 October 2026.

The deadline for finalizing of the Rooming List, and arrival and departure information is 27 October 2026.

The registration fee is $120 per player and accompanying person. The registration fee is obligatory for all including Coaches; Heads of Delegation; Parents; Accompanying Persons, Other delegation officials. and confirms participation. It includes transportation to and from UAE designated Airports (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah) on November 1 and 7 and accreditations.

Late entries may be accepted subject to availability and the approval of FIDE EVE and the Organizing Committee. The applicable Late Registration Fee shall be double the normal Registration Fee.

According to FIDE regulations, the FIDE fee of $80 ($40 for Blitz and $40 for Rapid) must be paid before the start of the tournament. Hospitality shall be provided in accordance with the categories established by FIDE.

The Official Invitation forms an integral part of these Regulations and specifies the categories of participants entitled to hospitality, including invited players, FIDE officials and other accredited persons. All other participants and accompanying persons shall participate under the official accommodation conditions specified in these Regulations.

All payments shall be made to the following bank account:

• Account Name: HORIZON AVENUE EVENT MGMT SP LLC
• Bank Name: Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB)
• Branch: U.A.E- HBZ Stadium
• Account Number: 001 2254975 001
• IBAN: AE540410000012254975001
• SWIFT: NBSHAEAS
• Pop code / BIC : STR

7. Accommodation

The Official Hotel of the Championships shall be 5-star Danat Al Ain Hotel & Resort, United Arab Emirates.

For operational, transportation, security and accreditation purposes, all participants and accompanying persons are strongly encouraged to stay at the Official Hotel throughout the official period of the Championships.

The official accommodation rates shall be:

The above rates are on a full-board basis. The accommodation package shall commence with lunch on 1 November 2026 and conclude with breakfast on 7 November 2026. The hotel also provides complimentary access to several facilities, including the spa, and three complimentary laundry items per person. Accommodation reservations shall be made through the Organizing Committee.

Accommodation requests received after the registration deadline shall be accepted subject to room availability. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to allocate room types in accordance with hotel availability and operational requirements.

Sender must pay all bank commissions.

8. Prize Fund

The total Prize Fund of the Championships shall be USD 33,200. The prize distribution shall be as follows:

Open Rapid Championship

1st Place – USD 2,000
2nd Place – USD 1,500
3rd Place – USD 1,000
4th Place – USD 800
5th Place – USD 700

Girls Rapid Championship

1st Place – USD 2,000
2nd Place – USD 1,500
3rd Place – USD 1,000
4th Place – USD 800
5th Place – USD 700

Open Blitz Championship

1st Place – USD 2,000
2nd Place – USD 1,500
3rd Place – USD 1,000
4th Place – USD 800
5th Place – USD 700

Girls Blitz Championship

1st Place – USD 2,000
2nd Place – USD 1,500
3rd Place – USD 1,000
4th Place – USD 800
5th Place – USD 700

Open Age Categories

Under 16 Rapid – USD 500
Under 12 Rapid – USD 500
Under 8 Rapid – USD 500
Under 16 Blitz – USD 500
Under 12 Blitz – USD 500
Under 8 Blitz – USD 500

Girls Age Categories

Under 16 Rapid – USD 500
Under 12 Rapid – USD 500
Under 8 Rapid – USD 500
Under 16 Blitz – USD 500
Under 12 Blitz – USD 500
Under 8 Blitz – USD 500

Arab Best Players

Best Arab Player Rapid – USD 400
Best Arab Player Blitz – USD 400

Al Ain Chess Club Best Players

Best Al Ain Player Rapid – USD 400
Best Al Ain Player Blitz – USD 400

Arab Best Girl Player

Best Arab Girl Player – Rapid - USD 400
Best Arab Girl Player – Blitz - USD 400

Al Ain Chess Club Best Girl Player

Best Al Ain Girl Player – Rapid - USD 400
Best Al Ain Girl Player – Blitz - USD 400

• Cash prizes shall not be shared and shall be awarded according to the final ranking after application of the applicable tie-break criteria…
• If there is no eligible player in an Age Category, the corresponding prize shall not be awarded.
• Total Official Prize Fund: USD 33,200.
• Age categories:
  • Under 16 - Players born on or after 1 January 2010
  • Under 12 - Players born on or after 1 January 2014
  • Under 8 - Players born on or after 1 January 2018

9. Visa Requirements

Participants requiring an entry visa to the United Arab Emirates shall submit the required passport copy and supporting documents to the Organizing Committee. The final deadline for submitting visa applications is 10 October 2026.

The visa processing fee shall be USD 100 per applicant, payable together with the visa application to Organization.

The Organizing Committee shall issue the necessary invitation letters and provide reasonable assistance in facilitating the visa application process in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the United Arab Emirates. The issuance of entry visas remains the sole responsibility of the competent authorities of the United Arab Emirates.

The Organizing Committee shall not be responsible for any delay in the issuance of visas or for the refusal of visa applications resulting from the late submission of applications, supporting documents or the applicable fees after the prescribed deadline.

10. Airport Transfers

The Organizing Committee shall provide official transportation between the designated airports (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah) and the Official Hotel on arrival and departure on the official period of the Championships.

Arrival and departure details shall be submitted to the Organizing Committee no later than 27 October 2026.

Airport transfers shall be arranged based on the information submitted by the participating Federations.

The Organizing Committee shall not be responsible for any transportation arrangements resulting from incorrect, incomplete or late submission of travel information.

11. Titles, Medals and Prize Giving Ceremony

The FIDE World Junior Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 are official FIDE World Championships.

The winners of the Open Rapid Championship and the Girls Rapid Championship shall be awarded the titles of FIDE World Junior Rapid Champion 2026 and FIDE World Junior Girls Rapid Champion 2026, respectively.

The winners of the Open Blitz Championship and the Girls Blitz Championship shall be awarded the titles of FIDE World Junior Blitz Champion 2026 and FIDE World Junior Girls Blitz Champion 2026, respectively.

Gold, Silver and Bronze medals shall be awarded to the players finishing in first, second and third place in each Championship. The winners of each Championship shall receive the official Championship Trophy. All prize winners shall attend the respective Prize Giving Ceremony unless officially excused by FIDE or the Organizing Committee.

Players who fail to attend the official Prize Giving Ceremony without prior approval may forfeit their trophies, medals, certificates and prize money.

The national flags of the medal winners shall be displayed during the medal ceremonies, and the national anthem of the gold medallist’s federation shall be played in line with FIDE protocol.

12. Accreditation

Accreditation shall be compulsory for all players, team officials, accompanying persons, arbiters, FIDE officials, media representatives and guests requiring access to the official Championship areas. Official accreditation badges shall be issued by the Organizing Committee upon arrival. Accreditation badges shall be always worn visibly within the official Championship areas. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to refuse, suspend or withdraw accreditation from any person whose conduct is considered contrary to these Regulations or detrimental to the safety, security or proper conduct of the Championships.

13. Dress Code

All players, team officials and accredited persons shall maintain a professional and respectable appearance throughout the Championships.

Further guidance regarding the dress code will be provided at the Technical Meeting.

14. Fair Play and Anti-Cheating

The Championships shall be conducted in accordance with the FIDE Laws of Chess, the FIDE Fair Play Regulations.

All participants shall fully cooperate with the Chief Arbiter, Fair Play Officers and other officials in the implementation of all Fair Play procedures.

Any breach of the applicable FIDE Fair Play or Anti-Cheating Regulations may result in disciplinary action, including the loss of games, expulsion from the Championships and referral to the competent FIDE bodies.

15. Appeals

An Appeals Committee shall be appointed before the commencement of the Championships. The composition of the Appeals Committee shall be announced during the Technical Meeting. Appeals against decisions of the Chief Arbiter shall be submitted in writing within 15 minutes after finishing the relevant game, by the player or his/her federation delegate to the chairman of the appeal committee. Each appeal shall be accompanied by the prescribed appeal fee that is 250USD in cash. The appeal fee shall be refunded only if the appeal is upheld. The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final.

16. Positions & Contacts

General Director: IO Rajai Al Sousi

Technical Director: SFT Sami Khader

FIDE Coordination: IA Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh

Registration process: Razan Alshuibee

Visas processing & other coordination: Zakaria Hasaneen

Responsible person for Transportation: Rafeeq Thengil

Media Affairs: Mahmoud Abdelzaher Abdelbaset

Organizer email Local Organizer Registration

[email protected]

ACMG Club Whats App: +971(3)7633387

Mr. Rafigh +971-50-6726261 (Whats App)

juniorrapidandblitz2026.fide.com

+962779714306 (WhatsAPP)

+971-50-6649280 (Whats App)