The Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival is going on from 14th to 24th August 2025 at the Radison Blu hotel at Abu Dhabi Corniche. The tournament is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and organized by the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games.
Visit chess-results.com for round by round results, standings and to download games.
Masters Championship
The strongest tournament is the $55,500 Masters championship open to all FIDE-rated players with a Standard published rating of 2300 ELO and above.
The tournament is a 9-round Swiss System with a time control of 90 minutes for each player and a 30-second increment after each move, starting with move 1.
Over 200 players from 45 countries are competing in the Masters, including 29 Grandmasters, 3 WGMs, 83 IMs, 2 WIMs and 76 FMs.
Open Tournament “A”
Open to all players with a Standard published rating of 2299 ELO and below (as of 1st August 2025). A total of 212 players from 40 countries are competing in this event.
Open Tournament “B”
Open to all players with a Standard published rating of 1999 ELO and below (as of 1st August 2025). A total of 320 players from 42 countries are competing in this event. A total Prize fund of $19,700 is at stake on the A and B open tournaments.
Juniors Under-16 Tournament
Open to all juniors under 16 (born in 2009 and later) with a Standard published rating of 1999 ELO and below (as of 1st August 2025).
The Juniors can play at the same time in the Open tournament.
The tournament will be a 9-round Swiss System with a time control of 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment for each player
A total of $9.500 in cash prizes are at stake.
Blitz Open, Under-16, Ladies
FIDE Rated Blitz tournament, open for all ages and nationalities.
The tournament will be an 11-round Swiss System with a time control of 3 minutes for each player and a 2-second increment after each move, starting with move 1.
FIDE Rated Blitz tournament, open for juniors Under 16, born in 2009 and later. The tournament will be an 11-round Swiss System with a time control of 3 minutes for each player and a 2-second increment after each move, starting with move 1.
FIDE Rated Blitz tournament, open for girls only/ The tournament will be a 9-round Swiss System with a time control of 3 minutes for each player and a 2-second increment after each move, starting with move 1.
A total of $5,700 in cash prizes shall be at stake.
Abu Dhabi Chess Academy
Blitz tournament, open for juniors Under 18 (born 2007 and later).
The tournament is open for Abu Dhabi Chess Club members only.
The tournament will be a 9-round Swiss System with a time control of 5 minutes for each player and a 2-second increment after each move, starting with move 1. At stake are cash prizes of $2,100
Abu Dhabi Masters Online Blitz
The Abu Dhabi Chess & Mind Games and Chess.com announce the Abu Dhabi Masters – Online, on Thursday, 22nd of August 2025. The tournament features a prize fund of $10,000 and is open to all titled players.
Blitz tournament, open for titled Players Only.
The Tournament will be played on www.chess.com.
The tournament will be an 11-round Swiss System with a time control of 3 minutes for each player and a 1-second increment after each move, starting with move 1.
Playing venue: www.chess.com.
Date & Time: Thursday 22nd of August, starting at 9:00 PM. (UAE Time)
Schools Tournament
Open for all kids under 17 (born in 2008 and after).
The tournament will be a 7-round Swiss System with a time control of 5 minutes for each player and a 3-second increment after each move, starting with move 1.
The competition will be played in 12 different categories: Under 7 to Under 17 with a total of $3.600 in cash prizes at stake.
Seniors Blitz
Blitz tournament, open for players age 50+.
The tournament will be a 7-round Swiss System with a time control of 3 minutes for each player and a 2-second increment after each move, starting with move 1.
Date & Time: Sunday 17th of August, starting at 2:00 PM.
People of Determination
Open for people of determination only.
The tournament will be a 5-round Swiss System with a time control of 10 minutes for each player.
Date & Time: Friday 22nd of August, starting at 2:00 PM.
Family Teams
Open for teams of 2 players (parent on board 1 and child on board 2).
The tournament will be a 7-round Swiss System with a time control of 3 minutes for each player and a 2-second increment after each move, starting with move 1.
Date & Time: Sunday 17th of August, starting at 2:00 PM
Community Teams
Open for teams of 3 players (2 playing + 1 substitute), UAE Residents with the same nationality. The team will represent their country (or city).
The tournament will be a 7-round Swiss System with a time control of 3 minutes for each player and a 2-second increment after each move, starting with move 1.