Road to EU 2026 in Greece
Support the Swiss youth team on their way to the European Championship
Fundraising Progress
How the money is allocated
The Swiss Chess Federation decides which age and gender categories receive support and how the funds are distributed across them. Your donation does not buy a ticket for a specific child or category. You support Swiss youth chess as a whole.
About the Event
What
European Youth Chess Championship 2026
Where
Hersonissos, Crete, Greece (Royal & Imperial Belvedere Resort)
When
02.11. - 13.11.2026
Who
All title-eligible players from Switzerland
More Info
Official Invitation (europechess.org)Why This Matters
Switzerland has highly motivated young chess players who regularly participate in tournaments across the country. To grow further and nurture their potential, it is essential to compete against stronger players in their age group.
International youth tournaments are not just great experiences that kids and parents will cherish forever. They also open a window to the world, providing a clear challenge and motivation to improve.
International opponents take our talents further than any training at home.
Tournament participation is open, but due to Swiss Chess Federation regulations, only appointed players may compete. Usually, this means achieving first place in the national youth championship or an exceptionally high ELO rating. However, other countries often send many more players than just their national champions.
So why can't Switzerland send more kids? The main barrier is financial. Unfortunately, not every family can afford a two-week trip to Greece. Additionally, international events often fall outside regular Swiss school holidays, making an official nomination crucial for obtaining school leave.
The Swiss Chess Federation typically has a budget for only 12 players across all age categories (open and girls combined).
With this action, we will not only support particular players, but lay a foundation to strengthen chess in Switzerland in general. These young players will eventually grow and increase the popularity of chess throughout the country. And who knows, maybe the next superstar will be from Switzerland!
With this fundraising action, we want to enable the Swiss Chess Federation to invite more players and give our talented youth the international experience they deserve.
With your donation, you invest in the future of chess
How It Works
CHF 3'000
per player
up to 3
Extra Swiss players we can send
2 weeks
Competition at international level
The costs to send a player include flight, hotel, food and drinks, and trainer costs. The total costs for this event are approximately CHF 3,000 per player.
Important
This does not affect the winners of the national championship. This is only about additional seats. The Swiss Chess Federation will decide which players are qualified to receive the extra seats, usually based on ranking lists, year-round performance, and other individual factors.
Talent Needs a Stage
Switzerland has a growing number of young chess talents. Week after week they sit at the boards of regional and national tournaments. They work with their coaches, solve puzzles, play their games, and keep getting better.
But sooner or later every talent reaches a limit that cannot be overcome at home. To truly grow, our children need to face the best in their age group, opponents from across Europe who challenge them, surprise them, and push them beyond what they thought possible.
That is exactly what the European Youth Championship offers: two weeks of intense chess at the highest level, friendships that cross borders, and the experience of holding your nerve on a big stage. These are the moments that shape a talent, and that a child carries for a lifetime.
These young players are the future of Swiss chess. A child who gets the chance to play internationally today may tomorrow join the national team, pass on their knowledge as a coach, or inspire the next generation. Every investment in their development is an investment in Swiss chess as a whole.
For many, that chance hangs on a single obstacle: cost. The talent is there. We only need to open the door.