The Asian Chess Federation and the Thailand Chess Federation are pleased to invite players from across Asia to participate in the 2026 Asian Amateur Chess Championships, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 20 to 30 November 2026.
The FIDE-rated championship, which offers the possibility of direct titles, will bring together amateur players representing Asian Chess Federation member federations for competition across multiple rating categories. The official playing venue will be the Bazaar Hotel, Thailand.
Six Championship Categories
The Asian Amateur Chess Championships 2026 will feature separate Open and Women’s competitions across three rating categories:
Open U2300
Open U2000
Open U1700
Women U2300
Women U2000
Women U1700
The championship is open to Asian amateur players who meet the respective rating requirements at the start of the tournament: under 2300 for U2300, under 2000 for U2000, and under 1700 for U1700.
Players must have a valid FIDE ID and may not hold a FIDE title higher than FIDE Master; players holding the titles of WIM, WGM, IM or GM are therefore not eligible. Participants are required to register through their national federations.
Standard, Rapid and Blitz Competitions
In addition to the main championship, the programme includes Rapid and Blitz competitions, providing participants with an extensive schedule of chess throughout the event.
The main tournament will be played over nine rounds using the Swiss System, with a time control of 90 minutes for the whole game plus a 30-second increment from move one.
The Rapid competition will be played at 15 minutes plus a 5-second increment per move, while the Blitz competition will use 5 minutes plus a 3-second increment per move.
The Blitz competition is scheduled for 21 November, followed by the Rapid competition on 22 November. The nine-round main championship will begin on 23 November, with the final round and Closing Ceremony scheduled for 29 November. Departure is scheduled for 30 November.
Direct Titles and World Amateur Qualification
The championship also provides important sporting opportunities beyond medals and prize money.
According to the regulations, direct titles will be awarded in the U2300 category, while only the gold medalist of the U2000 category will be awarded the CM/WCM title. The applicable direct-title tables will be available at the venue.
Furthermore, the winner of each Continental Amateur Championship rating section will qualify with personal rights for the 2026 World Amateur Championship, provided the player does not reach or exceed a 2300 rating by the registration deadline. These qualification places cannot be substituted.
USD 21,570 in Prize Money
A total prize fund of USD 21,570 will be awarded across the championships.
In each of the Open U1700, U2000 and U2300 categories, the champion will receive a trophy and USD 1,200, the runner-up a trophy and USD 1,000, and the third-place finisher a trophy and USD 800. Cash prizes continue through fifth place, while medals will be awarded through tenth place.
In each of the Women U1700, U2000 and U2300 categories, first prize is a trophy and USD 800, followed by USD 650 for second place and USD 500 for third place, with cash prizes through fifth place and medals through tenth place.
Cash prizes are also available in the Open and Women Rapid and Blitz competitions. The regulations further specify that medals will be awarded in the six rating categories within the Rapid Open and Blitz competitions.
Official Accommodation
The official accommodation is the Bazaar Hotel, Bangkok, with breakfast included. According to the regulations, the accommodation rates are:
Single room: USD 90 per night
Double room: USD 70 per person per night
Triple room: USD 60 per person per night
Participants wishing to have full board may add USD 25 for normal food or USD 35 for Indian/Halal food.
Registration
The total entry and registration fee is USD 200 per participant, comprising an ACF entry fee of USD 75 and a registration fee of USD 125.
The registration deadline is 12:00 noon on 15 November 2026. Late registrations are subject to an additional USD 50 surcharge, subject to the conditions specified in the regulations.
Contact Information
Tournament Director:
IA, IO Sahapol Nakvanich
WhatsApp: +66 93 787 8232
E-mail: sahapol09@gmail.com
General Inquiries:
asianamateur2026@gmail.com
WhatsApp:
+971 50 6649280
Chief Arbiter:
IA Dharmendra Kumar
The 2026 Asian Amateur Chess Championships promise ten days of competition in Bangkok, bringing together amateur players from across the continent in Standard, Rapid and Blitz chess and offering prestigious Asian titles, direct-title opportunities, World Amateur qualification rights and a substantial prize fund.
Players can register online through the official championship website: