2026 ASIAN AMATEUR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS

FIDE Rating Categories U1700, U2000 & U2300
20th-30th November 2026 | Bangkok, Thailand

1. Invitation

The Thailand Chess Federation invites chess players from member federations of the Asian Chess Federation to participate in the 2026 Asian Amateur Chess Championships, a FIDE-rated event with possible direct titles. The championship begins on 20 November 2026 in Bangkok, with the last round and prize giving on 30 November 2026.

2. Participation

• The championship is open to Asian amateur players registered by their federation or applying directly to the organizer.
• Rating limits at the start of the tournament:
  • U2300: FIDE rating under 2300
  • U2000: FIDE rating under 2000
  • U1700: FIDE rating under 1700
• If a group has fewer than 10 players and 5 federations, it shall be merged with another group.
• Players must not hold a FIDE title higher than FIDE Master; WIM, WGM, IM and GM title holders are not eligible.
• Every participant must have a FIDE ID.
• Participants should register through their national federation.

3. Playing Venue

The playing venue is the Bazaar Hotel, Thailand, with official accommodation at Hotel Baazaar, Bangkok.

4. Entry Fees and Registration

• ACF entry fee: USD 75 per player
• Registration fee: USD 125 per player
• Total payment per participant: USD 200
• A USD 50 surcharge applies after 31 October 2026.
• Foreign entries must make payment on or before 10 November 2026 and inform the federation in advance by email at [email protected].
• Local entries pay directly to the federation by FPS or bank transfer as described in the online form.
• Registration deadline: 12:00 noon, 15 November 2026. Late registrations may only be accepted with the USD 50 surcharge.
• No refunds will be given to a player who does not attend.
• Registration website: http://aacc2026.chesstournament.org
• The participant list is scheduled to be published from 15 November 2026.

Player Meeting Note

Regulation 4.5 states that players who do not attend the player's meeting at 15:30 on 20 November 2026 shall not be paired, with arrivals within 30 minutes subject to the Chief Arbiter's discretion. The published playing schedule separately lists the Technical Meeting at 15:30 on 21 November 2026.

5. Travel Conditions

Free transportation is provided:

• On 20 November 2026 from:
  • Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
  • Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)
• On the departure day, 30 November 2026, from the official hotel to the airports.

6. Accommodation

Official accommodation is at Hotel Baazaar, Bangkok.

Room rates include breakfast only:

• Single: USD 90 per night
• Double: USD 70 per person per night
• Triple: USD 60 per person per night

Optional full-board supplement per day:

• Normal food: +USD 25
• Indian/Halal food: +USD 35

7. Tournament Format

• Swiss System, 9 rounds
• Standard time control: 90 minutes for the whole game + 30 seconds increment from move 1
• Rapid: 15 minutes + 5 seconds increment
• Blitz: 5 minutes + 3 seconds increment
• Direct titles are awarded for the U2300 category.
• Only the gold medalist of the U2000 category is awarded the CM/WCM title.
• Latest FIDE rules and regulations apply.
• Default time is 30 minutes.
• Defaults/no-shows are deemed withdrawals; a no-show is not paired in the next round unless a declaration is signed.

8. Playing Hall and Dress Code

• Smart casual or formal dress is required in the tournament hall.
• Players and audience must follow arbiter instructions.
• Electronic equipment is not allowed within the playing hall.

9. Playing Schedule

10. Prizes

Total prize money: USD 21,570

Open

Women

The regulations also provide trophies/medals through the listed ranks and state that medals will be awarded in the six categories within Rapid Open and Blitz.

11. Tiebreak System

Final rankings are determined by points. Ties are broken in this order:

1. Direct Encounter, only if all tied players played each other
2. Buchholz
3. Games won, including forfeits
4. Average rating of opponents
5. Buchholz Cut 1

A tiebreaker must be used for direct title awards.

12. Technical Delegate, Chief Arbiter and Appeals

• The Asian Chess Federation President nominates the Technical Delegate, Chief Arbiter, assistant arbiters and other officials.
• The Appeals Committee consists of three members and two reserves from different federations.
• Protests must be submitted in writing within 15 minutes after the relevant playing session.
• Protest fee: USD 100. It is returned if the protest is upheld; otherwise it is forfeited to the organizing committee.
• Appeals Committee decisions are final, binding and immediately effective.
• No protests are accepted in Rapid or Blitz; the Chief Arbiter's decision is final.

13. Appeals Committee

The Appeals Committee will be declared before the tournament starts. The appeal form will be posted at the venue.

14. Contact Information

Tournament Director: IA, IO Sahapol Nakvanich
WhatsApp: +66 93 787 8232
Email: [email protected]

General inquiries: [email protected]

Registration: http://aacc2026.chesstournament.org
Registration WhatsApp: +971-50-6649280

Chief Arbiter: IA Dharmendra Kumar
Asian Chess Federation: [email protected]