The 2026 European Individual Chess Championship commenced today in Katowice, Poland, hosting 501 chess players over the next two weeks.
The event set a new participation record with 501 players from 43 European federations competing over 11 rounds for a €100,000 prize fund and qualification spots for the next FIDE World Chess Cup.
The opening ceremony of the event took place shortly before the first round and was attended by the ECU President, Zurab Azmaiparashvili, Mayor of city of Katowice Marcin Krupa, the President of the Polish Chess Federation Radoslaw Jedynak, ECU Vice Presidents Gunnar Bjornsson and Alojzije Jankovic, FIDE Secretary General Lukasz Turlej, President of the Silesian Chess Association Michal Pazdziora, the President of MOKATE Adam Mokrysz and other distinguished guests.
The ceremony was inaugurated with the renditions of the ECU anthem and the anthem of the hosting country – Poland. The Mayor of the city of Katowice, Marcin Krupa then took the floor, and warmly welcomed all the players and guests to Poland. He expressed his eagerness that Katowice would host one of the most important European tournaments of the year, and wished the players best of luck in the tournament and pleasant time in the town.
The ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili then addressed the gathering extending his sincere gratitude to the Polish Chess Federation led by President Radoslaw Jedynek and the Silesian Chess Federation and Michal Pazdziora for the organisation of the event. “Thanks to you, the European chess continues to grow stronger and more united”, added Azmaiparashvili. The ECU President then warmly addressed the players, wished them the best of luck, fair play, and brilliant achievements in the game. The speech finished with the ECU moto: “Play chess – Chess makes you smarter”.
The President of MOKATE, Adam Mokrysz, was invited to the stage and wished a great and successful tournament to the tournament participants. He invited them to enjoy the venue, the town, and MOKATE products which are the main part of the players’ refreshments areas.
FIDE Secretary General Lukasz Turlej welcomed the players and guests to Katowice, “European capital of chess”. He wished the contenders the best of luck, great games, and nice stay in Poland.
The President of the Polish Chess Federation Radoslaw Jedynak, then took the floor. He emphasized his federation’s pride in hosting the 2026 European Individual Championship and wished players a strong and successful competition.
The event was officially declared opened by the Mayor of Katowice, Marcin Krupa, who – with the ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili – made the first ceremonial move on the top board game between GMs Igor Kovalenko and Reinis Paikens.
The players were eagerly anticipating the start of the clocks, and the beginning of the tournament. Most of the favourites convincingly sealed the first-round victories, but there were also a few surprising draws on the top boards.
GM David Navara (CZE, 2643) drew his game against Yehonatan Azoulay (ISR, 2298) with the black pieces, GM Maxime Lagarde (FRA, 2621) didn’t manage to prevail against David Martirosyan (CZE, 2281), GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP, 2595) drew with whites against Daniil Yasmo (GER, 2271), GM Constantin Lupulescu (ROU, 2587) was held to a draw by WIM Manon Schippke (FRA, 2269), and there were a few more interesting upsets on the remaining boards.
All results, pairings and rankings after first round can be found [HERE]
Text and photos: European Chess Union
Official website: https://eicc2026.eu/