The final round of the Baku Open International Chess Festival has officially commenced.

Offsideplus.az reports that the symbolic opening moves of the last round at the Baku Crystal Hall were made by the President of the European Chess Union, Zurab Azmaiparashvili, the President of the Turkish Chess Federation, Fethi Apaydin, the President of the Georgian Chess Federation, Akaki Iashvili, and other officials.

More than 900 chess players from 10 countries are participating in the competition. The total prize fund for the Baku Open 2026 International Chess Festival is $50,000.

The tournament features notable players, including former World Champion and two-time Chess Olympiad winner Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukraine), World Rapid Champion Daniil Dubov (FIDE), European Individual Championship medalist Nijat Abasov, and European U14 Champion Khagan Ahmad.