Pardubice, Czech Republic – The Czech Open 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and competitive editions in its 36-year history. Scheduled from July 17 to August 3 at the IDEON Congress Centre, this international chess and games festival opens with a record-setting team tournament and culminates in a fiercely contested grandmaster battle featuring some of the world’s top players.
A Record-Breaking Start
The festival kicks off with a historic milestone: more than 170 four-member teams have registered for the Czech Open’s flagship team competition (Tournament E), held from July 17 to 20. That’s over 800 players from around the world converging on Pardubice to represent their clubs and federations across seven intense rounds of team play.
Defending champions and perennial powerhouses will be challenged by new faces, as the event sees participation from over 40 countries including Germany, India, Israel, South Korea, and Poland. For many, it’s not just about results, the team tournament sets the tone for a festival that blends elite chess with an inclusive and celebratory atmosphere.
Spotlight on the A Tournament
The centerpiece of the festival is the A tournament, a grandmaster-level Swiss event that runs from July 25 to August 2. Open to players with FIDE ratings of 2100 and above, it offers a prime opportunity to earn GM and IM norms over nine classical rounds, one per day, starting at 15:00 (GMT+2), or 9:00 (EDT).
This year’s field is stronger than ever, headlined by top seed GM Anton Korobov (Ukraine, 2631), GM Alexander Donchenko (Germany, 2608), and GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (Romania, 2584). Other notable grandmasters include Jerguš Pecháč, Diptayan Ghosh, Jan Subelj, and Evgeny Zanan, all bringing high-level experience and fighting spirit.
The top 10 seeds feature an exciting mix of seasoned professionals and ambitious international masters. Two of the Czech Republic’s brightest young stars, IM Václav Fiňek and IM Richard Stalmach, are especially worth watching. Fiňek, who shocked the field by winning last year’s A tournament as a teenager, returns to defend his title in front of a home crowd.
Top 10 Seeds – A Tournament (Czech Open 2025)
| No. | Title | Name | Federation | FIDE Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM | Anton Korobov | Ukraine (UKR) | 2631 |
| 2 | GM | Alexander Donchenko | Germany (GER) | 2608 |
| 3 | GM | Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu | Romania (ROU) | 2584 |
| 4 | GM | Jerguš Pecháč | Slovakia (SVK) | 2580 |
| 5 | GM | Diptayan Ghosh | India (IND) | 2576 |
| 6 | GM | Jan Subelj | Slovenia (SLO) | 2549 |
| 7 | IM | Václav Fiňek | Czech Republic (CZE) | 2529 |
| 8 | IM | Christopher Noe | Germany (GER) | 2520 |
| 9 | IM | Yevgeniy Roshka | Ukraine (UKR) | 2500 |
| 10 | GM | Evgeny Zanan | Israel (ISR) | 2493 |
Schedule – A Tournament (Grandmaster Section)
| Round | Date | Start Time (GMT+2) |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Friday, July 25 | 15:00 |
| Round 2 | Saturday, July 26 | 15:00 |
| Round 3 | Sunday, July 27 | 15:00 |
| Round 4 | Monday, July 28 | 15:00 |
| Round 5 | Tuesday, July 29 | 15:00 |
| Round 6 | Wednesday, July 30 | 15:00 |
| Round 7 | Thursday, July 31 | 15:00 |
| Round 8 | Friday, August 1 | 15:00 |
| Round 9 | Saturday, August 2 | 15:00 |
| Closing Ceremony | Sunday, August 3 | 10:00 |
A Festival for All Chess Lovers
While the grandmasters take center stage, the Czech Open is truly a celebration of chess in all its forms. Multiple rating sections run alongside the A group, including tournaments for players rated under 2200, under 1800, and for veterans born in 1995 or earlier.
A wide range of special-format competitions also fill the festival calendar. Highlights include:
- Rapid and Blitz Championships (July 21–24), open to all players, with separate events for different rating levels.
- Fischer Random (Chess960) and Bughouse (tandem chess) events, offering fast-paced and fun alternatives to classical formats.
- Super Blitz, Knockout Blitz, Blitz Marathons, and even a Raindropchess tournament, showing the festival’s willingness to experiment and entertain.
- A youth team tournament for players under 16, ensuring the next generation gets their moment in the spotlight.
The Czech Open also embraces casual players, social chess lovers, and hobbyists, with tournaments in games like go, draughts, Rubik’s Cube solving, and more taking place during the festival.
Behind the Boards: Community, Competition, and Celebration
More than 700 chess players are expected in the individual tournaments, representing 42 federations from across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. With over 130 titled players, including 13 grandmasters, 27 international masters, and dozens of FMs, WGMs, and WIMs.
The prize fund in the A tournament alone totals 250,000 CZK, with substantial awards in other sections and special prizes for best youth, veteran, and female players. The event is FIDE-rated and part of the ACP Tour, adding further prestige for participants chasing rating goals and norms.
Accommodation packages arranged by the organizers cover a wide range of budgets, from university dormitories and youth hostels to 4-star hotels within walking distance of the playing venue. The IDEON Congress Centre also serves as the central hub, hosting all games, registration, and award ceremonies under one roof.
Players and spectators can enjoy on-site refreshments, browse chess equipment stalls, and take part in social events like outdoor barbecues and blitz evenings. The relaxed yet competitive environment makes Pardubice a favorite summer destination on the international chess calendar.
Pardubice: A City of History, Industry, and Sport
Located about 90 kilometers east of Prague at the confluence of the Elbe and Chrudimka rivers, Pardubice is a vibrant Czech city that blends rich history with modern industry. With a population of over 92,000, it serves as the capital of the Pardubice Region and boasts a beautifully preserved historic center protected as an urban monument reservation. The city is known for its industrial contributions, especially in electronics and chemicals, housing major firms like Foxconn and Paramo. It also holds a sweet spot in Czech culture for its traditional gingerbread, a delicacy with centuries-old roots and EU-protected status.
Pardubice has long been a hub for transportation and innovation, home to one of the country’s major railway junctions and the first Czech aviator, Jan Kašpar. Its sporting pedigree is equally impressive. The city hosts the Velká pardubická, one of Europe’s most famous steeplechase horse races, and the Golden Helmet, a prestigious motorcycle speedway event. Since 1990, it has also proudly staged the Czech Open, drawing chess players from around the world to its iconic IDEON Congress Centre. With its mix of historical charm, modern convenience, and a deep-rooted love of sport and culture, Pardubice provides an ideal setting for a world-class chess festival.
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I’m Xuan Binh, the founder of Attacking Chess, and the Deputy Head of Communications at the Vietnam Chess Federation (VCF). My chess.com and lichess rating is above 2300, in both blitz and bullet. Follow me on Twitter (X).
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