Source: Grand Chess Tour
The 2021 Grand Chess Tour will feature two classical and three rapid & blitz events, picking up after the cancellation of the 2020 season. Tour participants will compete for a total prize fund of $1.275 million, including $325,000 per classical tournament and $150,000 in prizes for rapid & blitz events. In addition, a bonus prize fund totaling $175,000 will be awarded to the top three overall GCT finishers.
Following the success of the 2019 Superbet Rapid and Blitz tournament in Bucharest, the Romanian capital will host the first classical event of the 2021 season in June. The 2021 Sinquefield Cup will be in August and will conclude the final leg of the tour. Between the two classical events are three rapid and blitz events held in Paris, Zagreb and Saint Louis. There will not be a “GCT Finals” tournament in 2021; the final tour standings will be decided based on the GCT points each tour player accumulates over the course of the five tournaments.
The full tour participants will play in both classical events as well as in two of the three rapid and blitz events. Ten wildcards will be extended to selected players to participate in the rapid and blitz events. The full schedule for the 2021 GCT season (including arrival and departure days) is as follows:
- Superbet Chess Classic Romania: June 3 – 15, 2021, Bucharest, Romania
- Paris Rapid & Blitz: June 16 – 23, 2021, Paris, France
- Croatia Grand Chess Tour Rapid & Blitz: July 5 – 12, 2021, Zagreb, Croatia
- St Louis Rapid & Blitz: August 9 – 16, 2021, St. Louis, Missouri USA
- Sinquefield Cup: August 16 – 28, 2021, St. Louis, Missouri USA
The wildcard participants for the three rapid and blitz events scheduled to take place in Paris, Zagreb, and Saint Louis will be announced as they become available.
