The 2026 French Rapid & Blitz Championships are scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2026, at the Palais des Sports Pierre de Coubertin in Châlons-en-Champagne, France.
Organized by the Châlonnais Exchequer in partnership with the French Chess Federation (FFE), the event serves as an open competition for players of all ages, nationalities, and skill levels, ranging from beginners to Grandmasters.
The championship is divided into two distinct events:
Rapid (September 19): A 9-round Swiss tournament played with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 3-second increment per move.
Blitz (September 20): A 13-round Swiss tournament played with a time control of 5 minutes plus a 3-second increment per move.
The tournament awards several official national titles, including the Champion of France in Rapid and Blitz. Award categories include:
General: Open titles for Rapid and Blitz.
Youth: Age categories from U08 to U20, with separate mixed and female titles for both Rapid and Blitz.
Seniors/Veterans: Specific titles for the Senior Plus (50+) and Veteran (65+) categories.
Note: The official Women’s French Rapid Championship is held separately as the Roza Lallemand Trophy.
Participation requires advance registration exclusively through the official competition website at https://chalons2026.ffechecs.org/.
On-site registration is not permitted. The dedicated tournament website also contains logistical information regarding accommodation, transportation, and local schedules.
The event is supported by the Châlonnais Exchequer, the City of Châlons-en-Champagne, the Department of the Marne, and regional chess authorities.
