The Prague International Chess Festival is among the most prestigious chess tournaments in Central Europe. Every year, it brings world grandmasters, national team representatives, young talents, and hundreds of fans from many countries to Prague. Recent editions have also featured players from the absolute world elite, including the reigning world champion.

The international nature of the festival places high demands on organization, communication, and information accessibility. Players, visitors, and partners need quick registration, seamless access to current information, results, and important news throughout the event, regardless of the language or device they use.

PassMachine digital cards provided all these functions: player identification, a communication channel, access to benefits, a space for partner communication, up-to-date information, and important links.

Results change after each round. The schedule is updated continuously. Fans want to stay informed about the tournament's progress, and partners are looking for ways to deliver their offers directly to participants.

Therefore, the organizers sought a solution that could:

The goal was to deliver all essential information directly to participants' phones, ensuring they always had it readily available.

Custom Digital Cards

Two versions of digital cards were created for the Prague International Chess Festival for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet: a player card and a fan card. As the festival attracts players from many countries, the cards were prepared in two language versions:

Both served as a central communication hub between organizers, participants, and event partners.

 Distribution by Device

Distribution by Language Version

Each player received a personalized digital card that served as their personal information center throughout the tournament. Directly within the card, they had access to current results, the ongoing Grand Prix standings, and important tournament information. It also included partner benefits and discounts, while organizers could continuously inform players through notifications.

Alongside the player card, a digital card was created for visitors and fans. This consolidated the festival program, latest news, and information about accompanying activities in one place. It also offered partner deals and allowed organizers to communicate with cardholders via notifications during the tournament itself.

Fans could download the card via the website or by using QR codes placed directly at the venue.

Player registration was handled through the organizer's website. After data integration, digital cards were automatically generated and distributed via email to individual participants.

During the tournament, players could track their current standings and results directly from the card. They also gained access to partner benefits, such as discounts at hotels, restaurants, or bars.

Organizers could send push notifications with important information and updates to cardholders. This eliminated the need to send emails or direct participants to multiple different information sources.

Fan cards were promoted through QR codes at the venue and on social media. Each download expanded the contact database, allowing the organizer to communicate with fans even after the event concluded.

The fan card was available for download without registration, simply by clicking a link to save the card. Through QR codes at the venue and promotion on social media, they began building a community of fans with whom they can communicate between festival editions. 

Digital cards proved to be not only an informational tool during the tournament but also a way to build a long-term relationship with the festival community.

For the next edition of the Prague International Chess Festival, scheduled from February 16th to 26th, 2027, organizers plan to work even more intensively with card content, notifications, and communication throughout the event. Plans also include a dedicated specialist who will focus on digital cards for the entire duration of the tournament.

The fan card is continuously being developed, with the goal of transforming it into a year-round communication channel that maintains contact with the community between festival editions.