FIDE World Senior Chess Championship begins in Vrnjacka Banja

The FIDE World Senior Chess Championship 2026 has officially commenced in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia. The tournament features 385 players representing 65 national federations, including 44 Grandmasters and 8 Women Grandmasters.

Competitions are organized into two age categories, 50+ and 65+, spanning both Open and Women’s sections. Each of the four competitions follows a 9-round Swiss format using classical time control.

The opening ceremony took place at the Zepter Hotel, featuring addresses from Andrija Jorgic, President of the Chess Federation of Serbia, FIDE Technical Delegate Gunnar Bjornsson, and Boban Djurovic, President of the Municipality of Vrnjacka Banja.