A day-by-day outline of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival. Exact round times are confirmed on the technical meeting the day before play begins.
Player registration and equipment check from 10:00. Technical meeting at 17:00. Opening ceremony at 18:30, followed by round 1 of the Rapid side event.
Open section round 1 begins at 16:00. Youth sections play their opening round at 10:00. Rapid section continues with rounds 2–3.
Open section round 2 at 16:00. Youth round 2 at 10:00. Team Cup begins with round 1 at 10:00.
Open section round 4 at 16:00. Rest morning for Youth sections; coaching clinics offered in the training hall from 10:00–13:00.
Open section round 5 at 16:00. Youth round 3 at 10:00. Blitz side event in the evening after the round.
Open section round 6 at 16:00. Youth round 4 at 10:00. Team Cup round 2 at 10:00.
Open section round 7 at 16:00. Youth round 5 (final) at 10:00, followed by youth prize-giving.
Open section round 8 at 16:00. Team Cup final rounds at 10:00, followed by team prize-giving.
Open section round 9 at 14:00. Closing ceremony and prize-giving at 20:00 for the Open and Rapid sections.
| Section | Time control | Rated as |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 90 min + 30 min, 30-sec increment from move 1 | FIDE Standard |
| Rapid | 15 min + 10-sec increment | FIDE Rapid |
| Blitz (side event) | 3 min + 2-sec increment | FIDE Blitz |
| Youth (all age groups) | 60 min + 30-sec increment | FIDE Standard |
| Team Cup | 90 min + 30 min, 30-sec increment | FIDE Standard |