One of the most prestigious team events in European chess, the European Club Cup, is taking place from October 17 to 23 in Budva, Montenegro. Featuring a massive field with 108 teams competing in the open section and 22 teams in the women's competition, this large-scale event brings together chess enthusiasts from across the continent. Entering the tournament as the top favourites across the sections are the clubs representing Türkiye and Monaco.

Last-Minute Venue Change and Growing Popularity

The competition was originally scheduled to be held in another Montenegrin town, Herceg Novi. However, due to sudden and necessary work at Hotel Medun, the intended venue, the tournament was relocated at short notice to a holiday resort on the Grdvica River in Budva. Despite this logistical shift, the European Club Cup continues its steady growth, with the 108 teams vying for the open trophy surpassing last year's participation numbers.

Where Amateurs Meet Top Professionals

The tournament is becoming increasingly popular, particularly among amateur players. Competing alongside their club teammates, amateurs with a bit of luck can find themselves facing formidable professional squads, or at the very least, playing in close proximity to top players. While the event carries the unmistakable character of a Chess Olympiad, participants do not need to be national team members to take part.

The entry conditions established by the European Chess Union (ECU) are notably relaxed. Each federation is permitted to enter five teams, or four if no national championship is organized within that federation. Additional teams may also be admitted upon application, and it is left to the individual federations to decide which of their clubs are eligible to participate. Unlike the Chess Olympiad, the European Club Cup is contested over six boards, a format that makes the tournament even more appealing to chess-loving amateurs.