Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival Committee has the honor of inviting you to take part in a distinguished annual chess event, which consists of numerous FIDE-registered tournaments. It will be held in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the UAE, from 15th to 24th August 2025
15th-24th August 2025
31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival..
Under the Patronage of
H.H Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council
Organization
Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind Games is organizing the festival in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Sports Council and guarantees the tournament will be held in accordance with FIDE chess rules and regulations.
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Festival Tournaments

Masters Tournament
Open to all Fide rated players with standard rating of 2300 ELO and above “Exception Abu Dhabi Chess Club players (as of 1st July 2024). The tournament will be 9 rounds Swiss System with a time control of min for each player and 30 seconds’ increment 30 minutes tolerance will be applied. The organizing committee 90+ shall provide free accommodation in a five-star hotel for players rated 2600+ and women with standard Elo of 2400 prior approval from the committee is needed to guarantee the accommodation, only for limited players, in order of registration.

Open Tournament ( A )
FIDE Rated Open for players with ELO 2299 and below (as of 1st July 2024). The tournament
will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move. 30 minutes tolerance will be applied, FIDE ID is required
will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move. 30 minutes tolerance will be applied, FIDE ID is required

Open Tournament ( B )
FIDE Rated Open for players with ELO 2000 and below (as of 1st July 2024), The tournament
will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move. 30 minutes tolerance will be applied, FIDE ID is required
will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with the time control of 90 min for each player and 30 seconds increment for each move. 30 minutes tolerance will be applied, FIDE ID is required

Juniors Tournament
(under 16 years)
FIDE Rated Open for players born in 2008 or later. The tournament will be a 9 rounds Swiss system, with time control of 70 min for each player for the whole game. 30 minutes tolerance will be applied, FIDE ID is required.
Juniors Tournament can play at same time the Open tournament.
Juniors Tournament can play at same time the Open tournament.

Blitz tournament
FIDE Rated, Swiss system, 11 rounds, 3 min + 2 sec increment

Juniors Blitz Tournament
(under 16 years)
FIDE Rated Open for players born in 2008 or later; Swiss system, 1 1 rounds , 3 min + 2 sec increment

Simultaneous exhibition
Held by a renowned international GM. Open for Abu Dhabi Chess Club players only

People of Determination Chess tournament
Open to members for People of Determination Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds ’ increment . Free Registration

Family Team Tournament
Open for teams of 2 players (player + one parent Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time .control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds. Free Registration

Ladies Chess Tournament
Open for ladies players; Swiss system, 9 rounds, with the time control of 3 minutes 2 seconds’

Embassies Chess Tournament
Open for Ambassadors and embassies employee - limited to invited players only, Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds

Senior Chess Tournament
Open for players aged 50 years and above. Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment.

Abu Dhabi Chess Academy Tournament
Open for Under 18 (born 2006 and after) school students or chess academies students based in UAE (UAE Residents). Swiss system, 9 rounds, time control of 3 minutes + 2

Community Teams Tournament
Open for teams of 3 players (2 playing + 1 substitute), UAE Residents with same nationality. The team will represent their country (or city). Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 3 minutes +2 seconds increment

Government Department Teams Chess Tournament
open for government departments in the UAE, each teams 3 players (2 playing + 1 substitute), Swiss system, 7 rounds, with the time control of 3 minutes +2 seconds increment
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
TIEBREAK
- Direct encounter (T he Result of t he Playe rs in the Sam e Po int Group)
- BUCHHOLZ (Cut 1)
- BUCHHOLZ (Cut 2)
- SONNEBORN
- ARCO (Average rating of opponents Cut 1)
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Tournament Prizes
- The prizes will be awarded based on tie-break and will not be shared. A player cannot be awarded more than one prize in a tournament, and he will be awarded the highest prize only.
- Prize winners are obliged to follow the dress code of business casual/elegant casual or smart casual. No shorts, hats, caps, sneakers, or slippers
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Registration & Tournament Registration Fees
- Registration is accepted online via the following link : https://adchessfestival.abudhabichess.ae/register/
- The last day of registration is 15th July 2024.
- Entry fee and related payments must be paid to confirm the registration.
- All participating players and accompanying persons accept to fully comply with the regulations of the tournament
and the organizer. - Organizing committee reserves the right to accept or deny a participant’s registration according to FIDE Rules
and Regulations and UAE Laws. - All payments must be done before 31st July 2024 , Participants which are failing to pay their entry fees and confirm their participation will be deleted from players list.
- Kindly mention your FIDE Name & FIDE ID in your Payment Details and send a copy of the payment Receipt to adchessfestival@gmail.com
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Visa & Visa Charges
- Visa rules are subject to change. Kindly confirm with your airline prior booking
- Players / accompany persons who require a visa are requested to upload and attach a clear scanned colored copy of their passports and scanned colored personal photo in the online application
- Entry Visas to the UAE Issued for eligible participants subject to the approval of the GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF RESIDENCY & FOREIGNER AFFAIRS – UAE and will be valid for 30 days from the date of arrival
- Visa Fees must paid in in order to Issue the Visa
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Playing Schedule
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Hotel & Playing Venue
- The official hotel and playing venue will be 5* hotel, Hotel will be selected 1 month before the event start
- Single room will approximately : 500 AED (137 USD) per night – include 3 meals/day for 1 person
- Double room will approximately: 550 AED (150 USD) per night – include 3 meals/day for 2 persons
- Triple Room will approximately: 675 (185 USD) per night – include 3 meals/day for 3 persons
- Any electronic equipment (computers, cameras, mobile phones, tablets, hand-watches, pencils, etc.) is strictly forbidden in the Playing Hall, as per FIDE Handbook.
- Prize winners are obliged to follow the dress code of business casual/elegant casual or smart casual. No shorts, hats, caps, sneakers, or slippers.
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
Appeal Committee
- In the Technical Meeting an Appeals Committee of five persons (three regular and two substitutes) will be selected.
- Appeals against decisions of the Chief Arbiter and/or the Arbiters must be submitted in written and signed form to the Chairman of the Appeals Committee within one hour after the completion of the playing session.
- An Appeal shall be submitted with an accompanying fee of USD 200 or its equivalent in the local currency.
- If the Appeal is accepted, the above fee will be returned; otherwise, it shall be forfeited to the Organizing Committee.