A thrilling international chess experience awaits this summer in the historic city of Kuqa, Xinjiang, China! The 3rd “Belt and Road” China International Chess Open is set to run from August 5th to 12th, 2026, offering a spectacular grand stage for Malaysian players looking to test their skills globally, boost their international ratings, and battle for a massive prize fund of up to RM 232,000! If you are ready to elevate your game and experience world-class competition, make sure to submit your registration directly to the organizing committee before the final deadline on July 5th, 2026. Review the key details below to lock in your spot!
Tournament Format & Categories
The competition will follow a 9-round Swiss pairing system with distinct rating categories to ensure balanced, high-quality chess:
- Group A (FIDE Rating > 2000):
- Time Control: 90 minutes base time per player, plus a 30-second increment per move.
- Group B (FIDE Rating < 1999):
- Time Control: 60 minutes base time per player, plus a 30-second increment per move.
Substantial Prize Pool!
The event boasts a total pre-tax prize fund of RMB 388,000 (approximately RM 232,000) alongside special category awards for women, youth, seniors, and rating groups:
Group A Standings (Top 16 Awarded):
- 1st Place: RMB 100,000 (~RM 61,000)
- 2nd Place: RMB 70,000 (~RM 42,000)
- 3rd Place: RMB 40,000 (~RM 24,000)
- Prizes extend down to 16th place.
- Category Prizes: Includes dedicated cash awards for the top Women players, U20 Youth, and top performers in the 2000–2199 and 2200–2399 rating group.
Group B Standings (Top 10 Awarded):
- 1st Place: RMB 30,000 (~RM 18,000)
- 2nd Place: RMB 15,000 (~RM 9,000)
- 3rd Place: RMB 8,000 (~RM 4,800)
- Prizes extend down to 10th place.
- Category Prizes: Features additional cash awards for Women, the Over 50 Age Group, and Unrated players.
(Note: Currency conversions are approximate estimations for local reference.)
Accommodation Details & Fees
- Standard Entry Fee: USD 55 or RMB 400 per player.
- Grandmaster Privileges: Entry fee exemptions apply to GMs > 2500 and WGMs > 2300. High-rated GMs > 2600 and WGMs > 2500 are eligible for travel subsidies up to RMB 3,500 (~RM 2,100) and complimentary hospitality, subject to the organizer’s quota allocations.
- Hotel Options: Self-funded participants must arrange their own lodging. The official 5-star venue, Kuqa Hotel (Blocks A, B, and C), offers special event rates ranging from RMB 260 to RMB 320 per night, with breakfast included. Alternatively, the nearby 4-star Lidu Hotel is available from RMB 240 per night.
Registration Details & Contact
Interested players are required to coordinate, contact, and register directly with the organizing committee.
- Final Registration Deadline: July 5, 2026, at 18:00 Beijing Time.
- Payment Requirement: The full entry fee transfer must be completed within 24 hours of successful email submission to secure the slot.
- Mandatory Insurance: All players and accompanying persons must purchase personal accident insurance covering the entire trip and present proof at check-in.
Organizer Contact for Registration:
- Email: chessccr@126.com
The full official tournament rules and details can be downloaded below: