REGULATIONS

The “Aral Chess 2026” International Chess Tournament (hereinafter – the tournament) is held with the following aims:

• to implement the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of 14 January 2021 “On measures to further develop and popularise chess and to improve the system of training chess players”;
• to promote chess more widely across the country and to involve young people in sports competitions on a mass scale;
• to create the conditions needed to further develop the knowledge and experience of Uzbek chess players and to reward them appropriately;
• to raise the sporting skills of amateurs and young chess players and to help pupils spend their free time meaningfully;
• to foster a healthy lifestyle among young people and to build cultural and sporting ties.

The tournament is organised and conducted by the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the Uzbekistan Chess Federation (hereinafter – the organiser).

The tournament takes place at “Nukus City Sports School No. 1” in Nukus from 9 December 2026 (arrival day) to 14 December 2026 (final round and departure day).

Address: Nukus City Sports School No. 1, 116 I. Karimov Street, Nukus, Republic of Karakalpakstan.

The tournament is held under FIDE rules in 2 (two) groups:

• Group “A” – players with a FIDE rating of 1800 and above, as well as 10 foreign players with a FIDE rating of 2400 and above invited by the organisers.
• Group “B” – open to players with a FIDE rating of 1999 and below, as well as players without a FIDE rating.

Players’ FIDE standard ratings as of 1 December 2026 are used.

The tournament is a 9-round Swiss system with a standard time control: 90 minutes per player with 30 seconds added per move, starting from move one. Draws by agreement are not allowed before move 30.

The default time for each round is 15 minutes. Players who miss 2 rounds without notice will not be paired for the next round by the Chief Arbiter.

Pairings are made with the Swiss Manager program.

All participants must arrive at Nukus City Sports School No. 1, Nukus, Republic of Karakalpakstan, on 9 December 2026 between 14:00 and 18:00 to confirm their participation. Otherwise they will be removed from the pairings.

Foreign players who wish to take part may apply by 1 December 2026 via the official email of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation, uzchess@inbox.ru.

Programme for Groups “A” and “B”:

Winners are determined by the number of points scored. If points are equal, the following tie-breaks apply:

1. Buchholz Cut 1;
2. Buchholz;
3. Direct encounter;
4. Number of wins;
5. Rating performance, etc.

If players are tied on points, their prizes are not shared; prizes are allocated according to the tie-breaks above. If one player wins in two categories, the prizes are not combined; the larger prize or the main prize is awarded.

The total prize fund of the tournament is 350 000 000 soum.

Cash prizes are transferred to the prize-winners’ bank accounts or bank cards once they have submitted all required documents, or may be paid in cash.

Group “A” is free for the following participants:

• holders of the international titles GM, IM, WGM, WIM.

For Uzbek participants in Group “A” (payable by 1 December):

• 300 000 soum for players with a FIDE rating of 2200 and above;
• 350 000 soum for players with a FIDE rating of 2000–2199;
• 400 000 soum for players with a FIDE rating of 1800–1999.

For Uzbek participants in Group “B” (payable by 1 December):

• 300 000 soum for players with a FIDE rating of 1800–1999;
• 350 000 soum for players with a FIDE rating of 1600–1799;
• 400 000 soum for players with a FIDE rating of 1599 and below;
• 450 000 soum for players without a FIDE rating.

A 50% discount is given to veterans over 60, persons with physical disabilities, women and girls, and players from Karakalpakstan.

Participants pay their entry fees to the bank account of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation:

Account

2021 2000 9001 7827 6006

INN

201710234

Bank

PJSCB “DAVR BANK”

MFO

00981

For foreign participants (payable by 1 December): 100 US dollars.

Foreign citizens pay to the following bank account:

Beneficiary

Uzbekistan Chess Federation

Account

2021 2840 2001 7827 6009

S.W.I.F.T.

DVRBUZ22

Bank

P.J.S.C. “DAVR BANK”

Address

98A Karimov str, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Bank phone

(99871) 207-09-81

An appeals committee of at least 5 people (3 members, 2 reserves) is formed to consider complaints about the tournament results. Its composition is approved by the organising committee.

Participants who disagree with the tournament arbiters or their decisions may appeal to the appeals committee during the tournament within 1 (one) hour after the last game of the round has finished.

All participants must comply with the FIDE Fair Play rules and cooperate. A player may be excluded from the tournament at any time by the final decision of the Chief Arbiter based on the Fair Play rules.

No player has the right to challenge the above actions through arbitration, consultation or in court under any jurisdiction. Participants have no right to appeal against the pairings made during the tournament. By registering for the tournament, players waive any right to financial compensation or to demand corrections related to the tournament.

To ensure the success of the event, the Organiser has the right, with due notice, to change the schedule, update the regulations or decide on any matter not covered by the current rules.

Participants who need a visa to enter Uzbekistan must register and send copies of their passports by 15 November 2026. Otherwise the organisers cannot guarantee visa support.

If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan does not approve a visa, the organisers cannot provide any visa assistance.

The FIDE dress code applies at the tournament.

A participant with a raised body temperature or other signs of illness may be excluded from the tournament. Additional rules may be issued later if necessary.

The prize fund and organisational costs, including payments for arbiters, transfers and accommodation of the invited participants and officials of the tournament, are covered by the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

To ensure the success of the competition, the organising committee may amend and supplement these regulations.