Overview of the European Youth Chess Championship
The European Youth Chess Championship 2026 will take place from 2-13 November 2026 in Hersonissos, Crete, Greece.
European Youth Chess Championship 2026 – Official regulations
System of Play
The event will be played in six age categories: U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18, open and girls sections separately. Each championship will be played in 9 rounds, swiss system, with the time control of 90 minutes for the whole game, plus 30-second increment for each move, starting from the move one.
Registration process
Each federation can register one (1) invited player in each of the categories – under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 (open and girls sections), and the maximum number of twelve (12) players (“invited players”). Federations can register unlimited number of extra players. The players placed 1-3 in the European Youth Chess Championship 2025 will have the personal right to participate in the championship in the corresponding age-category or a higher age-category if they fulfil the conditions that they have not reached the age of 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 or 18 years, respectively, by January 1st, 2026.
All players must register through their national federations before the 21st of August, 2026 (registration deadline).
Download_The_Registration_form_EYCC2026
Accommodation and Amenities for Players
All players, coaches, heads of delegations and accompanying persons shall stay in the official hotel of the event – ****Royal & Imperial Belvedere Resort Hersonissos, Crete. The hotel offers a lot of amenities for the players, delegation members and accompanying persons, including extensive sports facilities, multiple swimming pools, and variety of entertainment points.
Transfer from/to the Airport
The organizer will arrange transfers between the “Nikos Kazantzakis” IATA: HER and the official hotel of the event. Transfer is free for all players and accredited persons on the first day 2nd November (arrival day) and the last day 13th November (departure day).
Visa requests
Requests for visa invitation letters, if needed, shall be included in the application form and submitted to the organizer before the application deadline. These requests must be processed earlier by e-mail no later than 21st of August 2026. The Organizers are not responsible in case the applicants fail to meet all the requirements to obtain a VISA to enter Greece.
Prizes for the Winners
The first three players in each group will be awarded medals; the first five players in each group will be awarded cups and valuable prizes. Each participant will receive presents. Diplomas will be sent to the top five players in each group, in electronic format, after the end of the event. The Winners of each section will receive the title of the European Youth Chess Champions 2026 for the respective age category.
Contact information
Detailed information about the event, accommodation, transfer, registration process, can be found in the tournament regulations file which can be downloaded below.
For any further questions or requests, contact the organising committee through the following e-mail address: chess.at.events@gmail.com.