Jerusalem Masters Rapid Chess to Offer Record $101,000 First Prize
Jerusalem will host the Masters Rapid Chess Championship with a record $101,000 grand prize, attracting international grandmasters and top global players.
Jerusalem is set to host a historic chess event as the Jerusalem Masters Rapid Chess Championship offers a record-breaking grand prize of $101,000 for the first-place winner. Scheduled to take place from November 23 to 26, the tournament boasts a total prize pool of $250,000, surpassing even the recent World Blitz Championship held in Qatar.
The Jerusalem Open Kickoff
Before the Masters main event, the city will host the Jerusalem Open rapid chess tournament on November 17 and 18 at the Ramada Hotel as part of Maccabiah events. Offering a prize fund of 45,000 euros, the competition guarantees free entry tickets to the Masters for the top two finishers. Over 300 players from 30 countries have already registered, marking the third consecutive year of the tournament.
International Stars and Promising Talents
The participant list features reigning European champions Roman Dechtiarov and Anastasiia Hnatyshyn, alongside under-20 European champions Yahli Sokolovsky and Elin Roebers. Former FIDE World Champion Ruslan Ponomariov, Igor Kovalenko, and Alexey Sarana are also slated to compete, alongside elite young grandmasters rated over 2,600.
We wanted to create an event in Jerusalem that cannot be ignored. $101,000 for the winner is not just a number - it is a statement of our belief in Israeli chess and our ability to host an international event at the highest level, said Dr. Zvika Barkai, Chairman of the Israel Chess Federation.
