The last day of October once again belongs to chess and Halloween at City Pearl. On 31 October 2026, the Halloween City Pearl Cup rapid chess tournament for children will be held for the sixth time – by now a tradition – attracting more and more young players from the capital and beyond.
The aim of the tournament remains unchanged: to promote the game of chess, to provide playing opportunities for interested children, and to offer a space for nurturing chess friendships. The welcoming space of City Pearl takes on a special atmosphere at this time of year: alongside the boards, chess players with costumes set the scene for an exciting yet friendly day of competition.
The most important details at a glance:
Date: 31 October 2026
Venue: 1095 Budapest, Soroksári út 58. (City Pearl)
Participants: anyone may enter, no competition licence required. On request, accompanying adults also have the opportunity to play in a separate group.
Format: 6 rounds, Swiss pairing system, according to FIDE rapid rules.
Time control: 10-10 minutes, permitted lateness: 10 minutes.
Registration: by 19:00 on 28 October 2026 at sakkpatt@gmail.com. On-site registration is also possible in limited numbers, up to the venue’s capacity of 50 people.
Entry fee: free.
Schedule: on-site registration until 9:45, round 1 at 10:15, prize giving expected around 12:45.
Prizes: in each age group (U16, U14, U12, U10, U8) a cup and medals; every participant may collect a material prize at the prize giving. Special prizes will be awarded to those wearing Halloween costumes.
Tie-breaks: 1. head-to-head result, 2. modified Buchholz, 3. progressive, 4. Sonneborn-Berger.
The organisers reserve the right to change the tournament regulations; any modifications will be announced verbally on site before the first round.
The Halloween City Pearl Cup is not merely a tournament: it is a morning when children play seriously yet celebrate in a relaxed spirit. And those who arrive in costume receive special recognition – it is worth being creative this year too.
Something for the parents as well: while the children battle at the boards, cheering parents can follow the excitement of the rounds over a barista coffee – comfortably, cup in hand.
We warmly welcome every young chess player and their companions to a true autumn chess celebration.
We wish everyone good luck!
