Grand Prix Regulations

1. The Cyprus Chess Grand Prix 2026 (CCGP2026) is a series of chess tournaments organised throughout the year in different cities across Cyprus.
2. Players earn Grand Prix points by participating in official Grand Prix events. These points are added together to determine the overall Grand Prix standings at the end of the season.
3. The Grand Prix is designed to encourage participation, consistency, and competitive play across multiple events and formats.

1. The Cyprus Chess Grand Prix 2026 consists of the following official events:
   • CCGP2026 Opening Event “All4Kids” – 8 February 2026
   • CCGP2026 Nicosia Rapid – 10 May 2026
   • CCGP2026 Paphos Classical – 5–7 June 2026
   • CCGP2026 Nicosia Classical – 4–6 September 2026
   • CCGP2026 Freedom24 Freestyle Chess – 18 October 2026
   • CCGP2026 Paphos Blitz – 22 November 2026
   • CCGP2026 Freedom24 Grand Finale – 12–13 & 19–20 December 2026
2. The CCGP2026 Opening Event “All4Kids” does not count towards the overall Grand Prix points standings. All other listed events do count towards the Grand Prix standings.

1. All Cyprus Chess Grand Prix 2026 events are open to players of all ages, unless stated otherwise in the event regulations.
2. The CCGP2026 Opening Event “All4Kids” is the only event with an age restriction. All other Grand Prix events are open to players of any age.
3. Players may participate in any number of Grand Prix events during the season.
4. There is no minimum or maximum number of events required to take part in the Grand Prix.
5. Depending on the event, players may be required to hold one or more of the following:
   • a valid FIDE ID,
   • a KYSO Athlete ID,
   • a KOA Health Card.
6. Any such requirements will be clearly stated in the regulations of each individual event.
7. Playing in a Grand Prix event automatically makes the player eligible to earn Grand Prix points, provided the event counts towards the overall standings.

1. Players earn Grand Prix points based on their final ranking in each Grand Prix event that counts towards the overall standings.
2. Points earned in different events are added together to form a player’s total Grand Prix score.
3. Only a player’s best four (4) event results are counted towards the overall Grand Prix standings.
4. If a player participates in more than four Grand Prix events, only the four events with the highest points will be taken into account.
5. Events that do not count towards the overall Grand Prix standings do not award Grand Prix points.

1. Grand Prix points (GPP) are calculated based on a player’s score and the number of rounds played in an event.
2. For each event, Grand Prix points are calculated using the following formula:
   GPP = 20 + 80 × (Score ÷ Total Rounds)
3. The formula ensures that:
   • all players receive Grand Prix points for participation,
   • higher scores result in proportionally higher points.
4. Example calculation:
   • Score: 5.5 points out of 7 rounds
   • Calculation: GPP = 20 + 80 × (5.5 ÷ 7) = 82.86
5. After calculating the base Grand Prix points, the result is multiplied by an event multiplier, depending on the event format.
6. The following event multipliers apply:
   • Unrated events: × 1.0
   • Freestyle / Chess960 & Blitz: × 1.2
   • Rapid: × 1.4
   • Classical (3-day events): × 1.6
   • Grand Finale: × 2.0
7. Final Grand Prix points for an event are calculated as:
   • Final GPP = Base GPP × Event Multiplier
8. Final Grand Prix points are rounded to the nearest whole number.

1. The overall Grand Prix standings are determined by the total number of Grand Prix points earned by each player.
2. Players are ranked according to their total Grand Prix points.
3. If two or more players finish the season with the same number of Grand Prix points, they share the same placing in the Grand Prix standings.
4. No tie-break criteria are used to separate players with equal Grand Prix points.
5. If a shared placing corresponds to a trophy-winning position, a play-off is held to determine the trophy winner.
6. All players tied on Grand Prix points for that trophy-winning position are eligible to participate in the play-off.
7. Play-offs are conducted using a knock-out system.
8. Play-off pairings and the initial bracket are determined by the drawing of lots.
9. Each knock-out match consists of two games.
10. The time control for each play-off game is 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move.
11. Colours in the two-game match are alternated, with each player playing one game with White and one with Black.
12. If the two-game match is tied (1–1), the match is decided by a sudden-death game (Armageddon).
13. For the sudden-death game:
    • White plays with 5 minutes.
    • Black bids on the amount of time they are willing to play with.
    • The player who bids the lower time plays Black.
    • In the event of a draw, Black is declared the winner.
14. The winner of the match advances to the next round of the knock-out play-off.
15. The knock-out process continues until a single trophy winner is determined.
16. Play-offs are conducted only to decide trophy winners and do not affect the published Grand Prix standings.
17. If a play-off cannot be completed due to time or practical constraints, the trophy may be shared among the tied players.

1. The Cyprus Chess Grand Prix 2026 has an overall prize fund of €5,000.
2. Overall Grand Prix money prizes are awarded in the following classifications:
   • General Classification
     • 1st place: €1,000
     • 2nd place: €800
     • 3rd place: €700
   • Women
     • 1st place: €500
     • 2nd place: €300
     • 3rd place: €200
   • Youth Categories (separate prizes for Boys and Girls)
     • Under 18 (U18) – born 2008, 2009, or 2010
       • Best Boy: €250
       • Best Girl: €250
     • Under 15 (U15) – born 2011, 2012, or 2013
       • Best Boy: €250
       • Best Girl: €250
     • Under 12 (U12) – born 2014 or later
       • Best Boy: €250
       • Best Girl: €250
3. Youth players are eligible only for prizes in their own age category.
4. A player competing in U12 may not receive a prize in U15 or U18, and a player competing in U15 may not receive a prize in U18.
5. A player may receive only one overall Grand Prix prize.
6. If a player qualifies for more than one prize, only the prize with the higher monetary value is awarded.
7. In the event of a tie for a money prize, the monetary prize is split equally among the tied players.
8. In the event of a tie for a trophy, the trophy winner is decided according to the play-off rules defined in these regulations.
9. Separate prizes for Boys and Girls in youth categories are awarded in order to promote equality and participation.
10. Individual event prizes and trophies are not covered by these regulations and are defined separately in the event regulations.
11. Trophies and money prizes must be claimed in person unless otherwise stated.

1. All players are expected to conduct themselves in a fair, respectful, and sportsmanlike manner at all times.
2. Players must comply with:
   • the FIDE Laws of Chess,
   • the rules and regulations of each individual event,
   • the instructions of the Chief Arbiter and tournament officials.
3. Cheating, attempted cheating, or unsporting behaviour will not be tolerated.
4. Electronic devices are strictly prohibited during games, in accordance with the FIDE Laws of Chess.
5. Any electronic device found on a player during a game may result in penalties as defined by the FIDE Laws of Chess and the event regulations.
6. Any form of disruptive behaviour, including inappropriate language or actions, may result in penalties.
7. Penalties may include, but are not limited to:
   • warnings,
   • loss of game,
   • exclusion from an event,
   • disqualification from the Grand Prix.
8. Decisions made by the Chief Arbiter during an event are final for that event.
9. Appeals, if permitted, must be submitted in accordance with the event regulations and within the specified time limits.
10. The organisers reserve the right to take appropriate action to ensure the integrity and fair play of the Cyprus Chess Grand Prix 2026.

Last Updated: 27 January 2026