282 players (364 entries) from 24 countries take part at the preliminary stage.
All participants are divided in 52 groups of 7 players each.

Places in groups are defined accordingly to scoring.
Tie breaking will be handled in accordance with the ICCF rules principally making use of the Sonneborn-Berger method.

The semifinal stage is planned to consist of 6 groups of 11 players each.
Qualification to the semifinal stage is guaranteed to top finishers of each group (52 players) and 14 best runner-ups.
Tie breaking necessary to decide qualification to the semifinal stage will be done sequentially on number of scored points then on ratings at the end date of the event.