5 september 2026
Royal library of Belgium
What to do at the chess & Mates Festival?
Saturday 5 September 2026
The Chess & Mates Open consist of two casual chess tournaments set in the heart of Brussels, hosted in the historic Royal library of Belgium.
Rapid tournament
10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
7 rounds
10 min + 3 sec
Three strength- based categories (Red, Yellow & Black mates)
Blitz tournament
3:30 PM - 5:30PM
7 rounds
3 min + 2 sec
Three strength- based categories (Red, Yellow & Black mates)
Winners
The winner of each tournament (6 in total) and the best boy and girl under 12 year will earn an exclusive seat at the simultaneous exhibition against an international Grandmaster.
Other prices will be announced later.
Saturday 5 september 2026
18h30-20h30
The winner of each tournament (6 in total), the best boy and girl under 12 year and our sponsors will challenge Judit Polgar, the Queen of Chess in the Palace of Charles of Lorainne during a simultaneous exhibition. More information about this prestigious exhibition will be announced later. Would you like to become a partner to the event?
The Queen of Chess
Judit Polgar is the strongest female chess player in history and the only woman to have consistently competed on equal terms with the world’s best men, reaching a world ranking of No. 8. A global ambassador for chess in education, she created the Judit Polgar Method, helping children develop key skills through chess. Judit Polgar began playing chess at the age of five. In 1989, at just twelve years old, she became the No.1–ranked woman in the world; a position she held for the next 26 years.
€35 (single ticket) and €45 (combi ticket) if you register before 30/05
€40 (single ticket) and €50 (combi ticket) if you register after 30/05
Youth Discount (< 24 years old)
€25 if you register before 30/05 and €35 if you register after 30/05
Blitz and Rapid Tournament
Only for the Rapid tournament
Only for the Blitz tournament
< 24 years old
Royal library of Belgium
Mont des Arts 28,
1000 Brussels
More information later
Rapid tournament
9:30 AM
Blitz tournament
3 PM