The FIDE World Senior Chess Championship 2026 commenced today in Vrnjačka Banja, the Serbian capital of chess and tourism. The event has brought together 385 players from 65 national federations, including 44 Grandmasters (GMs) and 8 Women Grandmasters (WGMs). The championship is held in two age groups – 50+ and 65+ – across Open and Women’s sections. All four competitions are 9-round Swiss tournaments with classical time control.
The opening ceremony was held in the hall of the Zepter Hotel, immediately preceding the first round. It began with the playing of the anthems of the Republic of Serbia and FIDE. The President of the Chess Federation of Serbia, Andrija Jorgić, FIDE Technical Delegate Gunnar Björnsson, and the President of the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja, Boban Đurović, addressed the players and spectators.
In his speech, the President of the Chess Federation of Serbia, Andrija Jorgić, expressed gratitude to the World Chess Federation for the trust placed in them, as well as to the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja for its invaluable assistance and support.
“The World Senior Chess Championship is not only a great sporting competition, but also a celebration of knowledge, experience, friendship, and love for the ancient game that has connected people around the world for centuries. Chess is one of the rare games in which age is not an obstacle, but an advantage. Experience, patience, wisdom, and the ability to make the right decisions are values that are cultivated throughout one’s entire life. That is precisely why veterans are a special and precious part of our chess family. Serbia has a rich chess tradition, with great champions and generations of exceptional players who have spread the glory of Serbian chess around the world. We are especially proud that today we have the opportunity to host the best and most experienced chess players from numerous countries, to provide them with the conditions for top-level competition, and to be the hosts of such a significant event,” said Jorgić.
On behalf of the World Chess Federation, FIDE Technical Delegate Gunnar Björnsson addressed the attendees, wishing all participants a warm welcome and great success at the championship.
“It is a great pleasure for me to greet you all here in Vrnjačka Banja on behalf of FIDE on the occasion of the 2026 World Senior Chess Championship. This beautiful spa town is an ideal place to host chess players who have spent decades at the board. I was here on the occasion of the 2024 European Club Cup, and based on that experience, I am sure that this tournament will be a success under the leadership of Tournament Director Saša Jevtić and his team. In 11 days, we will crown four world champions. The €50,000 prize fund reflects FIDE’s continuous support for senior chess, and the strong turnout of around 400 players from 65 countries tells a powerful story. On behalf of FIDE, I thank everyone who worked to make this event possible: the organisers, the local authorities, the government, and, of course, the players themselves,” said Björnsson.
The President of the Municipality, Boban Đurović, recalled that over the decades, Vrnjačka Banja has hosted numerous domestic and international events, but that the organisation of such a massive and prestigious competition as the World Senior Chess Championship is a special source of pride for the municipality and all its citizens.
“The fact that today we are hosting around 400 competitors from as many as 65 countries from all corners of the world speaks to the size and significance of this event. We are especially glad to have the opportunity to host true chess giants in Vrnjačka Banja – grandmasters and champions who have defined entire eras of this noble game. Your many years of dedication to chess, experience, and mastery inspire not only the younger generations who are just entering the world of black and white squares, but also all of us, promoting patience, wisdom, respect, and fair play as key values in society. Chess is not just a sport; it is the art of thinking and a bond that connects different cultures, peoples, and generations. We are extremely proud that Vrnjačka Banja has been recognised as a place that has all the infrastructure and organisational capacity to meet such high demands and provide top-level conditions for all participants. I thank the Chess Federation of Serbia for the trust shown and the partnership, as well as everyone who participated in the preparation of this event,” said Đurović.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Đurović and Jorgić made the ceremonial first move, after which Chief Arbiter Ashot Vardapetyan officially declared the competition open.
Official website: https://wscc.beochess.rs/