The European Chess Union and the Federation Monegasque des Echecs are pleased to announce the new event in the ECU Calendar: the European Senior Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship.
The inaugurate edition of the European Senior Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2027 will take place from 10-14 January 2027 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, featuring the total prize fund of €32.000.
The events will be played in two age categories: 50+ and 65+, open and women’s sections separately. In case of low number of registrations for the Women’s championship, the category will be merged with the Open section, with separate prizes.
The first event on the schedule will be the European Senior Blitz Chess Championship 2027 which will be played on January 11, 2027. The event will be played in 11 rounds in each section, swiss system, with the time control of 5 minutes + 3 seconds increment. The prize fund of the Blitz competition will be €11.000 (€10.000 regular prizes + €1.000 special category prizes). The Winners of each age category will receive the title of European Senior Blitz Chess Champion 2027 of the respective section.
The European Senior Rapid Chess Championship 2027 will be played on 12-13 January, 2027 in the same venue. The tournament will be played in 11 rounds in each category, swiss system, with the time control of 15 minutes + 10 seconds increment. The prize fund of the Rapid event is €21.000 (€20.000 regular prizes + €1.000 special category prizes). The Winners of each age category will receive the title of European Senior Rapid Chess Champion 2027 of the respective section.
The Championship is open to all players representing National Chess Federations listed as the ECU members. The total number of participants is limited to 150 players, and the registration for the Open Championships will require the minimum FIDE (classic, rapid or blitz) rating of 1800. Registration starts after 1st August 2026, and the registration deadline is December 20, 2026. Applications must be sent to the Tournament Director, Jean Michel Rapaire by mail: cemc@libello.com.
The playing venue of the European Senior Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2027 will be located at the Hotel Novotel.
Monaco Chess Federation offers special conditions (rooms, breakfast and transfer free, gift cards 300€ for lunch and dinner) for the four individual champions of the European Seniors Championship 2026 in Acqui Terme: +50, +50w, +65, and +65W.
Detailed information about the event and registrations can be found in the document below.
Contact information:
Office phone : +33650576354
Tournament Director: Jean Michel Rapaire
E-mail: cemc@libello.com