The organising committee of the Bled Chess Festival, in collaboration with Lichess, is organising an Online Qualifier, which offers chess enthusiasts worldwide the opportunity to qualify for accommodation packages (worth $8,000 in total) for the Bled Chess Festival, hosted in the beautiful lakeside town of Bled.
The over-the-board Festival will take place 9–15 March in Bled, Slovenia.
Qualification Pathway
The Online Qualifier consists of three stages:
- Stage 1: Four Open Online Qualifiers
- Stage 2: Semifinal
- Stage 3: Online Final
Participation in the Semifinal is limited to players with a February FIDE Standard (Classical) rating of 2300 or below. All qualifier participants will be assumed to have consented to the regulations, which can be found here.
Online Qualification Schedule
- Qualifier 1: 15 February – 16:00 UTC
- Qualifier 2: 16 February – 19:00 UTC
- Qualifier 3: 17 February – 17:00 UTC
- Qualifier 4: 18 February – 17:00 UTC
- Semifinal: 21 February – 15:00 UTC
- Online Final: 22 February – 16:00 UTC
Stage 1 – Open Online Qualifiers
- 4 Arena tournaments
- Time control: 3+2 Blitz
- Open to all players
- Players may participate in one or multiple qualifiers
- Top 50 players from each qualifier advance to the Semifinal
Stage 2 – Semifinal
- Arena format
- Time control: 3+2 Blitz
- Top 30 players advance to the Final
Stage 3 – Online Final
- 9-round Swiss tournament
- Time control: 10+2 Rapid
- Professional arbiter supervision
Official Live Broadcast
The Semifinal and Online Final will be officially broadcast and commented by the Bled Chess Festival Ambassadors, WGM Laura Unuk and GM Markus Ragger.
Festival Prize Packages
The top three players of the Online Final will be awarded exclusive Bled Chess Festival Packages:
- Gold Package for Two
- Silver Package for Two
- Basic Package for Two
Additionally, one Basic Package for Two will be raffled among eligible Stage 1 participants (minimum participation requirements apply).
The total value of the qualification packages is up to €8,000.
Full package details and inclusions are available on the official Bled Chess Festival website.
Package Conditions
Packages are valid for the winner plus one additional person who may be an accompanying guest, or another registered festival participant. Players are responsible for their travel expenses which are not included in the package, as well as any potential visa requirements.
About the Bled Chess Festival
This March, from 9th–15th, the Bled Chess Tournament returns as a modern international chess festival in the breathtaking setting of Bled, offering professional playing conditions and the experience of an elite tournament, to chess enthusiasts and players with a FIDE rating of 2300 or below.
The playing hall with a lake and castle view.
The chess festival includes a strong international competition combined with educational activities, simultaneous exhibitions, direct interaction with grandmasters, and a social program. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with Laura Unuk (WGM) and Markus Ragger (GM).
For full details, visit the official Bled Chess Festival website.
An in-depth article by Tournament Director WGM Darja Kapš is also available here.