Asian Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship

Hong Kong to Host the Asian Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026

The Asian Chess Federation is pleased to announce that the Asian Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 (Open & Women) will be held in Hong Kong, China, from 27 to 31 July 2026.

The championships will be organized by the Hong Kong China Chess Federation Limited (HKCCFL) with the support of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

The event is open to players from all member federations of the Asian Chess Federation in FIDE Zones 3.1 to 3.8, with no limit on the number of participants each federation may enter.

Tournament Venue

The championships will take place at the modern TWGHs TungPo Centre in San Po Kong, Kowloon, an outstanding multi-purpose venue offering excellent facilities and convenient access from all parts of Hong Kong.

Tournament Format

The championships will consist of two separate events:

  • Rapid Championship – 11-round Swiss System
  • Blitz Championship – 13-round Swiss System

Time Control

  • Rapid: 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment from move one.
  • Blitz: 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment from move one.

The latest FIDE Laws of Chess and Asian Chess Federation regulations will apply.

Prize Fund

The championships offer an attractive total prize fund of HKD 150,000.

Open Section

  • 1st Prize: Trophy + HKD 40,000
  • 2nd Prize: Trophy + HKD 20,000
  • 3rd Prize: Trophy + HKD 10,000

Women’s Section

  • 1st Prize: Trophy + HKD 20,000
  • 2nd Prize: Trophy + HKD 10,000
  • 3rd Prize: Trophy + HKD 5,000

Additional cash prizes will be awarded through 10th place in each section, together with special prizes for the best Hong Kong player and various rating categories.

Schedule

  • 27 July: Arrival of participants
  • 28–29 July: Asian Rapid Chess Championship
  • 30 July: Asian Blitz Chess Championship
  • 31 July: Departure

The Players’ Meeting will be held on 28 July at 13:30, followed immediately by the first five rounds of the Rapid Championship.

Registration

Registration is now open.

  • Registration deadline: 1 July 2026 (12:00 noon)
  • Late entries may be accepted subject to a HKD 400 late registration surcharge.

Entry Fees

  • Grandmasters (GM), International Masters (IM), Women Grandmasters (WGM), and Women International Masters (WIM): Free entry
  • Other FIDE-rated players: HKD 1,200
  • Accreditation fee for accompanying persons: HKD 200

Participants are advised to complete their registrations early and arrange accommodation well in advance due to the high demand for hotels in Hong Kong during the summer season.

Official Website

Online registration and complete tournament information are available at:

https://arbcc2026.chesstournament.org/

https://asianrbc2026.hkchessevent.com/

For further information, please contact the Organizing Committee via hkchessevent@gmail.com.

The Asian Chess Federation invites all eligible players and federations across Asia to participate in this prestigious continental championship and looks forward to welcoming players to Hong Kong for another exciting celebration of rapid and blitz chess.