FIDE World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Championships 2026 Registration Opens
The registration for the first-ever FIDE World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 is now officially open. The tournament will take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from August 1 to August 8, 2026.
This exciting new event is open to amateur chess players with a FIDE rating below 2300. Players from all FIDE member federations are eligible to participate, and there is no limit on the number of entries from each federation.
The championship will feature separate Open and Women’s sections in three rating categories:
- Under 2300
- Under 2000
- Under 1700
A separate Women’s Championship in each category will be held if at least 20 players from two different continents register.
The tournament will follow the Swiss System format, and the total number of rounds will depend on the final number of participants.
Time Control
Rapid
- 15 minutes + 10-second increment from move one
Blitz
- 3 minutes + 2-second increment from move one
Players who require a Nigerian visa must request an invitation letter before June 30, 2026. The final registration deadline for players and accompanying persons is also June 30, 2026.
The event promises to be a major opportunity for amateur chess players around the world to compete on the international stage and experience chess in one of Africa’s fastest-growing chess nations.
Photos: FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
