Dear Visitors,

Welcome to the website of Zalakaros Chess Festival!

We are proud to say that is has been the 35th occasion when we can organize our Chess Festival. It has become one of the most important chess-event of Hungary which is highly appreciated in the whole Europe by now. The tournament has developed together with the settlement itself. The Granit Thermal Spa, which by now has reached great fame in Europe, was opened in 1965 basically defines the image of the former large village. The settlement received city status in 1997. The site and the atmosphere of the tournament is so excellent from the very beginning that it grown international after the first two events and is still continuously growing and developing. During the first decades, the venue of the tournament had solely been the gymnasium of the Mora Ferenc Primary School. Fortunately in the recent years the Hotel Karos Spa joined as another spot of the event and now assures ideal home for the main group. It has been the third year when the Hungarian Chess Federation has provided the usually 150-200 players Chess Festival with a significant financial support. Thus, together with the support of Zalakaros City the prize fund has grown to European level that attracted the participation of not less than 32 International Grandmasters in 2015. The year of 2016 is another milestone in our history since it has been the first time when the number of registered participants has exceeded 200 players. A surprisingly lot of players have registered from India which is the ancient homeland of the game of chess. According to the vast number of participants besides the usual A and B groups we will a third group (C) this year. The rank of the event is increased by the fact that in its frame we hold the Hungarian Open Championship of Men and also the Hungarian Junior Championship (U20). Lead by the main patron of the tournament Mr.Ferenc Novák, Mayor of Zalakaros City the Board of the City Council assures every possible help for the preparation we need for a high level organization. So on behalf of the Organizers I can recommend for all of you regardless of age, gender or rating points that at the end of May come to Zalakaros, this friendly little town of spa which is full of flowers !