The city of Brașov is preparing to host the next stage of the Romania Grand Prix 2026 from July 25 to July 31. Following the opening event in Bucharest, won by GM Jose Martinez, this tournament marks the second stop on the circuit and the first of two classical events scheduled for this year.
The tournament will feature a mix of grandmasters, local talents, and amateur players competing over seven days. For title seekers, the classical format in Brașov provides an opportunity to fight for the international norms under standard time controls.
Located in the Carpathian region, Brașov offers a historic setting for the event, allowing international participants from various countries to combine competitive chess with local tourism.
Because of the open tournament structure, the event accommodates different levels of play:
- Professional players competing for the main prize pool.
- Juniors and norms-seekers looking to improve their international ratings.
- Amateurs participating for experience in a structured tournament environment.
Top rated players in the Group A are GM Cristobal Henriquez Villagra CHI 2603, GM Narayanan S L IND 2581, GM Martin Petrov BUL 2547, GM Adam Kozak HUN 2529, GM Momchil Petkov BUL 2523, GM Emin Ohanyan ARM 2516 etc
The Brașov event is an integral part of the 5th edition of the Romania Grand Prix, organized by the Romanian Chess Federation. The entire 2026 circuit consists of five stages across different cities:
Bucharest (Rapid): May 9–10
Brașov (Classical): July 25–31 (Upcoming)
Alba Iulia (Rapid): August 1–2
Arad (Classical): August 3–9
Craiova (Rapid): September 12–13
The total prize fund for the entire circuit stands at €150,000, making it a significant series on the European open calendar. According to the regulations, standings are calculated based on a player’s best four results out of the five events. This format gives participants the flexibility to miss one stop without falling out of contention for the final overall prizes, which include specific categories for top juniors and the best-placed Romanian players.
With registration ongoing (official website here), the Brașov tournament will be a pivotal stop for players looking to establish their positions in the overall standings before the circuit moves to Alba Iulia and Arad in August.
