Riga Christmas Chess Festival is an annual educational and competitive chess event held Dec. 15-21 that brings together players from beginners to titled masters for a week of tournaments, coaching clinics, and community events. Rooted in Riga’s rich chess heritage, the festival pairs high-quality instruction and diverse competitive formats with warm holiday programming—making it an ideal setting for skill development, international exchange, and memorable seasonal celebration.

At the heart of the Riga Christmas Chess Festival is a commitment to learning, inclusivity, and the joy of play: we foster rigorous instruction and fair competition while welcoming players of all ages and levels. We prize community and cultural exchange, creating respectful spaces where mentorship and sportsmanship flourish, and we balance ambition with warmth—ensuring every participant leaves inspired, better equipped, and part of a growing international chess family.