FIDE WORLD CADET RAPID & BLITZ CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026
April 14th - 21st, Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia
Venue: Hotel Zepter
Vrnjačka Banja
Vrnjačka Banja is the largest and most famous spa resort in Serbia, informally called "the queen of spa tourism". It is located 200 km south from Belgrade. Vrnjačka Banja is rich in mineral water which are known for their healing properties. The health benefits of Vrnjačka Banja's water were first announced in time of Romans. Apart from health tourism, Vrnjačka Banja is also famous for other interesting things. Vrnjačka Banja also has the status of a chess symbol, and in the last two years the following competitions have been successfully organized at the same place:
- 2023: European Individual Championship
- 2024: European Club Cup & European Club Cup for Women
- 2025: FIDE World School Chess Championships
- 2025: FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships
Event Schedule
| Tuesday | April 14th | All day | Arrival day |
| Wednesday | April 15th | 10:30 | Confirmation of participation |
| Wednesday | April 15th | 11:00 | Technical meeting |
| Wednesday | April 15th | 14:00 | Opening ceremony |
| Wednesday | April 15th | 15:30 | Rapid Championships Rounds 1-4 |
| Thursday | April 16th | 10:00 | Side event: Solving Championships |
| Thursday | April 16th | 15:30 | Rapid Championships Rounds 5-7 |
| Friday | April 17th | 15:30 | Rapid Championships Rounds 8-11 |
| Saturday | April 18th | 10:30 | Free day / Side event: Team Rapid Championships |
| Sunday | April 19th | 15:30 | Blitz Championships Rounds 1-6 |
| Monday | April 20th | 15:30 | Blitz Championships Rounds 7-11 |
| Monday | April 20th | 21:00 | Closing ceremony |
| Tuesday | April 21th | All day | Departure day |
Accommodation
Note: Hotel Zepter is fully booked
Apartments ZepterMe ****
Apartments for four persons, per person, per day: 79€
Apartments for three persons, per person, per day: 81€
Apartments for two persons, per person, per day: 83€
Studios for one person, per day: 109€
Hotel Fontana ****
Double room per person, per day: 86€
Suite (three persons) per person, per day: 79€
Suite (double-room, four persons) 79€ per person, per day
Single room: 109€
Regulations
Participation Rights
Entitled to participate are chess players from National Chess Federations, according to their age category:
- U08 (Open & Girls), player's date of birth: January 1st 2018 and after
- U10 (Open & Girls), player's date of birth: January 1st 2016 and after
- U12 (Open & Girls), player's date of birth: January 1st 2014 and after
- U14 (Open & Girls), player's date of birth: January 1st 2012 and after
- U16 (Open & Girls), player's date of birth: January 1st 2010 and after
- U18 (Open & Girls), player's date of birth: January 1st 2008 and after
Technical Regulations
The Championships will be held according to FIDE tournament Rules and Laws of Chess. The FIDE Anti-Cheating rules and guidelines are valid for all Championships. The official tournaments will be played using the Swiss System with 11 rounds. Time control for the rapid championships will be 15 minutes plus 5 seconds per move starting from move one. Time control for the blitz championships will be 5 minutes plus 3 seconds per move starting from move one.