6/4/2020 – The preparations for the 53rd International Chess festival Biel continue and take into account the Corona requirements. In a press release the organisers said that they are preparing for the key event, the Grandmaster Tournament (GMT), a main tournament (C-HTO) and a youth tournament, including Swiss championships. However, some tournaments and events including the Master Open (MTO) will be cancelled. | Photo: Biel International Chess Festival 2019
new: Fritz 20
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally. FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before.
YOUR PERSONAL CHESS COACH - Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of club chess, or already playing at a tournament level: with FRITZ, you can train more efficiently, intelligently and with a more personalised approach than ever before. FRITZ is more than just a chess engine – it’s a training revolution! Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of club chess, or already playing at a tournament level: with FRITZ, you can train more efficiently, intelligently and with a more personalised approach than ever before.
Expand your Chess Horizon
The perfect equipment for 2026 with the latest ChessBase program '26, Mega Database, ChessBase Magazine and Premium-Account!
€349.90
Press release June 03, 2020
Based on the currently known restrictions a protection concept is in elaboration, which should enable the implementation of an adapted 53rd festival. It has already been decided that the announced Master Open (MTO), the rapid, blitz and Fischer chess competitions as well as the simultaneous and doctors' tournament will be cancelled. The organizing committee is aiming to run the Grand Master Tournament with eight participants in the planned form of a triathlon. Some changes in the field of participants will be needed, especially due to the current travel restrictions.
A "Corona Amateur Tournament" (C-HTO) is planned to replace the two traditional open tournaments. According to Paul Kohler, General Secretary, the main feature of this form is: "Each player has a chessboard with his own pieces in front of him and sits offset at the same table with his opponent". The number of participants will have to be limited. With the final decision on the implementation, the number will be communicated, and the registration fee will have to be paid by bank transfer.
Winner of the GM tournament in Biel 2019 - Vidit Gujrathi | Photo: Simon Bohnenblust
The long-standing Vinetum Youth Tournament is also in preparation. And as a new addition the postponed finals of the Swiss championships U16, U14, U12 and U10 will now be held over four days.
For the President of the organization committee Peter Bohnenblust one key aspect is important: "We would like to help our sport of chess to return to the preferred format with physical presence while respecting the current restrictions". As soon as further clarifications have been made and in particular the protection concept has been validated, information will be provided again and a decision on the final implementation will be made.
All changes and new regulations will be communicated on the website www.bielchessfestival.ch.
For further information:
Paul Kohler, General Manager, info@bielchessfestival.ch
Peter Bohnenblust, President of the Organization Committee, 076 405 80 87
YOUR PERSONAL CHESS COACH - Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of club chess, or already playing at a tournament level: with FRITZ, you can train more efficiently, intelligently and with a more personalised approach than ever before.
In this volume, we dive into core aspects of chess technique. Smyslov taught the principle of tactical hierarchy, “checks, double attacks, and unprotected pieces”, and Mikhalchishin demonstrates how this method of calculation is vital.
Videos: Nico Zwirs examines two Petroffs from the 2026 Candidates. Robert Ris has a tip against the Caro-Kann Advance Variation with 3…c5. Fiona Sieber reveals a surprise weapon against the Najdorf. ‘Lucky Bag’ with 40 analyses by Ganguly, L'Ami et al.
YOUR PERSONAL CHESS COACH - Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of club chess, or already playing at a tournament level: with FRITZ, you can train more efficiently, intelligently and with a more personalised approach than ever before.
In this powerful new course, endgame expert Karsten Müller teams up with rising star Leon Mendonca to deliver what truly matters: 10 essential rules that every player must know.
In this video course experts examine the games of Bent Larsen. Let them show you which openings Larsen chose, where his strength in middlegames were, how he outplayed his opponents in the endgame & you’ll get a glimpse of his tactical abilities!
From the 2026 Candidates Tournament, featuring a video review by Dorian Rogozenco, to Jan Werle’s opening video on the French Tarrasch Defence, and Oliver Reeh’s tactical column ‘Top Grandmasters at Work’. Analyses by Giri, So, Wei Yi and many others.
€21.90
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.
Pop-up for detailed settings
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies, analysis cookies and marketing cookies. You can decide which cookies to use by selecting the appropriate options below. Please note that your selection may affect the functionality of the service. Further information can be found in our privacy policy.
Technically required cookies
Technically required cookies: so that you can navigate and use the basic functions and store preferences.
Analysis Cookies
To help us determine how visitors interact with our website to improve the user experience.
Marketing-Cookies
To help us offer and evaluate relevant content and interesting and appropriate advertisement.
