FIDE World School Chess Championships 2025
March 19th – 29th, Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia
1. Invitation
This is the official invitation to all national chess federations, members of FIDE and eligible players to participate in
the FIDE World School Chess Championships 2025 (categories for boys/open and girls under 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17
years old). The championships will be held in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia from March 19th to 29th 2025 under the auspices
of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Vrnjacka Banja Municipality.
Vrnjacka Banja is the largest and most famous spa resort in Serbia, informally called “the queen of spa tourism”. It
is located 200 km south from Belgrade. Vrnjacka Banja is rich in mineral water which are known for their healing
properties. The health benefits of Vrnjacka Banja’s water were first announced in time of Romans.
Apart from health tourism, Vrnjacka Banja is also that it has the status of a chess symbol, and in the last two years
the following competitions have been successfully organized at the same place:
2023: European Individual Championship
2024: European Club Cup & European Club Cup for Women
2. Venue, Date & Schedule
The championship will be held in Hotel “Zepter”, Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia, from March 19th (arrival date) until March
29th (departure date) 2025. The playing venue will be Hotel Zepter Conference Hall.
Schedule:
Wednesday March 19th All day Arrival day
Thursday March 20th 10:30 Technical meeting
Thursday March 20th 14:00 Opening ceremony
Thursday March 20th 15:30 Round 1
Friday March 21st 15:30 Round 2
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Saturday March 22 10:00 Round 3
Saturday March 22th 16:30 Round 4
Sunday March 23th All day Free day
Monday March 24th 15:30 Round 5
Tuesday March 25th 15:30 Round 6
Wednesday March 26th 15:30 Round 7
Thursday March 27th 15:30 Round 8
Friday March 28th 14:30 Round 9
Friday March 28th 21:30 Closing ceremony
Saturday March 29th All day Departure day
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3. Technical Regulations
3.1. FIDE rated Swiss system will be used with 9 rounds played. The Championships shall be governed by the General
Regulations for FIDE Competitions.
3.2. There shall be 6 categories: Under 07, Under 09, Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 with separate
events for Boys/Open and Girls (in total 12 championships).
Entitled to participate in each category are:
- Under 07: Players born on or after January 1st 2018,
- Under 09: Players born on or after January 1st 2016,
- Under 11: Players born on or after January 1st 2014,
- Under 13: Players born on or after January 1st 2012,
- Under 15: Players born on or after January 1st 2010,
- Under 17: Players born on or after January 1st 2008.
3.3. Each National Federation can register any number of players that meet the age requirements of each section.
FIDE-affiliated organizations, as approved by the FIDE Council, also have the right to register players. FIDE endorsed
Chess Academies also have the right to register players through their respective National Chess Federation with
copy to Trainers Commission for endorsement.
3.4. Players with personal rights of qualification, are entitled to free board and lodging for 10 nights sharing a
double room. Personal rights are valid for:
- The Champions of the previous World School Championships
- The Continental School Champions of the year preceding this edition.
3.5. Time control is 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment from move one.
3.6. Default time is 15 minutes. Any player who arrives at the chessboard after the default time shall lose the game
unless the Chief Arbiter decides otherwise.
3.7. The final ranking order of the players is determined by the number of points scored. If two or more players are
tied for the first place or for any prize, the tie shall be broken in the following order:
a. Direct Encounter points (applies only if all tied players have played each other),
b. Buchholz Cut 1,
c. Buchholz,
d. Greater Number of Wins with Black Pieces,
e. Greater Number of Wins.
f. Rating Performance
4. Prizes, Titles & Certificates
4.1. The top three participants in each category will receive a trophy, medal, diploma and a special award.
4.2. All participants will receive a gift from the organizer and a certificate of participation.
4.3. The Direct titles shall be awarded according to the conditions in the FIDE to regulations below.
https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/B01DirectTitles2017
https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/B012022
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5. Appeals procedure and Appeals Committee
5.1. The Appeals Committee consists of 3 persons, one of whom may be the FIDE Technical Delegate. Two additional
reserve members will be appointed at the Technical Meeting as no member shall take part in a decision affecting a
player of his own federation.
5.2. A protest against the Chief Arbiters' decisions must be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Appeals
Committee within one hour after the completion of the respective game. The protest must be accompanied with
the sum of 200€, as a deposit. If the appeal is granted, the sum shall be returned immediately. If the appeal is
refused, the deposit is forfeited to FIDE. The Appeals Committee may also decide to refund the fee if it considers
the appeal to be non-frivolous. The decisions of the Appeals Committee are final.
5.3. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final, binding, and takes effect immediately.
6. Registration and Registration Fees
For participants who has citizenship of a non-European country which has to apply for Serbian visa, request for
Invitation Letter must be sent the latest on January 31st 2025.
The deadline for the registration of participants and accompanying persons is Friday, February 28th. The
registration fee and hotel expenses must be paid by this deadline.
Registration is to be done through the form provided in the attachment.
The registration fee for the players plus FIDE fee will be 140€ in total, which must be paid to the organizers and is
distributed as follows:
- 100€ (includes accreditation badge and transfer)
- 40€ (FIDE fee)
The registration fee for delegates, coaches and accompanying persons is 60€ (includes accreditation badge and
transfer).
7. Travel Information
For all accredited participants and accompanying persons, the organizer will provide the transfer services from
Belgrade "Nikola Tesla" airport, from Nis "Konstantin Veliki" airport and from Kraljevo "Morava" airport to the
official hotels on March 19th as well as the departure transfer on March 29th free of charge. All travel information
must be sent by e-mail to [email protected], not later than March 12th, 2025.
The organizer will publish the transfer schedule and other important details 3 days prior to arrival.
8. Accommodation
All Participants are obliged to stay in official hotels and bookings must be done only through the organizers.
For players, coaches and accompanying persons, the organizer has provided official hotels with prices which are
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indicated below and include full board accommodation (buffet service for all meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Hotel Zepter ****
https://zepterhotelvbanja.com/
Double room per person, per day: 75€;
Triple room per person, per day: 72€;
Single room (limited number): 97€;
Number of rooms in Hotel "Zepter" is limited to 100 rooms and the reservation will be done on the "first come, first
served" basis.
Hotel Fontana ****
https://fontanavrnjackabanja.com/
Hotel “Fontana” is located 200 m to the playing hall.
Double room per person, per day: 79€;
Suite (three persons) per person, per day: 75€;
Suite (double-room, four persons) 75€ per person, per day;
Single room: 99€;
The local tourist tax (1.60€ per person, per day) is to be paid directly by accompanying persons at the hotel
reception. For players, this fee will be covered by the organizer.
Wellness & SPA Center is free of charge for participants and accompanying persons in both of the official hotels
(swimming pools, spa and gym). Individuals under the age of 16 can use these services only when accompanied
by an adult and during specific times.
9. Payments
After the registration form has been filled in, sent to the organizer and approved by the organizer, the national
federations will receive pro-forma invoices for bank payments. The pro-forma invoices will contain all the necessary
details for the bank payment.
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The sender must pay all bank commissions.
All payments must be done before registration deadline on February 28th, 2025 to the following account:
Account holder: EKOMLEK DOO KRALJEVO, Grge Jankesa 5 Street, 36000 Kraljevo
Bank: HALKBANK A.D. BEOGRAD, Milutina Milankovica 9e, 11070 Beograd
IBAN: RS35155000000007215549
SWIFT: CABARS22
Reference: WSCC 2025
Once the bank transfer is validated, the Organizing Committee will confirm the assigned booking confirmation for
all the rooms.
10. Anti-Cheating Measures
The organizer will implement strict measures to prevent any possible cheating attempts.
This implies detailed control before entering the playing hall, delayed transfer of games, control of the playing
venue and prevention of any mutual verbal and non-verbal communication.
The Chief Arbiter will be encouraged to devise a system for conducting random checks during the tournament.
11. Medical Service
During the tournament, medical service will be provided according to the FIDE Regulations. Players have to insure
themselves against health risks and accidents for the duration of the Championship.
12. Local Information
The standard voltage in Serbia is 220 Volts.
The local currency is Dinar (RSD).
13. Visa Information
Citizens of European countries are not required to hold a visa to enter Serbia.
For participants who has citizenship of a non-European country which has to apply for Serbian visa, request for
Invitation Letter must be sent the latest on January 31st 2025.
Requirement for visa can be checked at:
https://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/citizens/travel-serbia/visa-regime
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14. Payment Protection
Registration fees for the late registration, withdrawal or no show shall be charged as described at Article 3.9. of
https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/D0401202312
15. Contact Information
Official e-mail:
[email protected]Official website: worldschool2025.fide.com
Chairman of Organizing Committee: Andrija Jorgic, President of Serbian Chess Federation
Tournament Director: IO Sasa Jevtic, +381 63 439497 (Viber, WhatsApp)
