The tournament will be contested over nine rounds under the Swiss system with classical time controls (90 minutes + 30 seconds per move), accommodating up to 120 players. A minimum prize fund of €3,000 in Liberland Dollars (LLD) will be distributed across open and category prizes, with first place earning between €700 and €1,000 depending on final participation. Grandmasters compete free of charge.
“You’ll have Grandmasters sitting across from ambitious amateurs. That mix is what makes open tournaments interesting, and we’re creating the right conditions for it.” said Goran Petrović, Tournament Director. "We built this event to be serious and accessible in equal measure — world-class competition in a setting that reflects Liberland's founding values of openness, merit, and individual freedom."
The event is hosted at ARK Liberland Village, the Free Republic's riverside community hub on the Danube in Apatin, Serbia. On-site accommodation in bungalows and tent pitches is available to participants, with meals provided between rounds. The venue provides a genuinely distinctive environment for competitive chess — part tournament hall, part living community experiment.
In addition to the main open, a Blitz side-event (3+2) is scheduled for Friday 22 August. Special prizes recognise the best female player, best junior (under 16), best senior (65+), and top performers in three rating bracket categories (0–1600, 1601–1900, 1901–2300).
Early-bird registration is open until 15 July 2026, with fees starting at €30 for highly rated players and €40 for women, juniors, and seniors. Spots are strictly capped at 120. All unrated participants will receive an official FIDE profile upon completion of the tournament.
The Liberland Open is sanctioned and rated by FIDE, the international governing body of chess. Tournament arbiter is Stevo Popović (FIDE ID 950890). Complete rules, schedule, and prize breakdown are published at chess.ll.land.
About Liberland
The Free Republic of Liberland, situated between Croatia and Serbia on the Danube River, was established in 2015 on unclaimed land by Vít Jedlicka. Originating from a border dispute, its 7 km territory is now the third smallest sovereign state after the Vatican and Monaco. Liberland's motto, "To live and let live," reflects its commitment to personal and economic freedom. The Constitution ensures limited governmental interference in its citizens' lives.
About the Liberland Chess Federation
The Liberland Chess Federation is the official governing body for chess in the Free Republic of Liberland. It organises tournaments, manages national ratings, and promotes the game across all skill levels — from beginners to Grandmasters. The Federation is affiliated with FIDE and operates in collaboration with regional chess clubs in the Danube region.
Press Contact:
Samuela Davidova
Press Secretary
Phone: +995 571 063 463
Email: press@liberland.org