7/9/2026 – The 59th edition of the Biel International Chess Festival begins on the weekend of 11 July. Participating are chess greats such as Levon Aronian, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Matthias Bluebaum in the Masters Triathlon, as well as Vaishali Rameshbabu and Alexandra Kosteniuk in the Generations Challenger. In both invitational events, games will be played in a triathlon system featuring blitz, rapid and classical games. | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
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In this video course, Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov explores the fascinating world of Dutch and Grünfelkd structures with colours reversed.
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Press release by the Biel Chess Festival (7 July 2026)
Presentation of the 59th edition of the Biel Chess Festival
A programme for every profile!
In the media, the Biel Chess Festival is, of course, best known for its invitational tournaments: the Masters, the Generations Challenge - which replaces the Challengers this year - and the two ACCENTUS Chess960 tournaments. These closed tournaments are presented by Laurent Freyd, who this year takes over as head of the invitational tournaments - succeeding me (Paul Kohler).
But for 59 years, the Biel Chess Festival has been far more than a purely elite competition. It is a sporting event, of course, but also a cultural and cosmopolitan one, which in a spirit of conviviality preserves a spark of hope in a world marked by constant wars.
Thanks to the twelve open tournaments again this year, every participant - regardless of level, age, occupation or origin - can enjoy a unique experience at the heart of Switzerland's largest and internationally renowned chess festival. Everyone can sit in the same hall as such legendary players as Levon Aronian or Alexandra Kosteniuk.
The 59th edition, which takes place from 11 to 24 July 2026 (with the simultaneous exhibition as a prelude on 10 July), will, as every year, welcome players from all walks of life: from amateurs to grandmasters, from around forty (!) countries.
A rich and flexible offer
Six tournaments with classical time controls allow everyone to play a "serious" tournament, regardless of how much time they have available. Alongside the traditional MTO (Masters Tournament), with 10 rounds in 11 days, and the ATO (Amateur Tournament), with 9 rounds in 10 days in the afternoon, there are two morning formats:
Chess is a concrete game. There is no way around training your calculation skills. Improve your visualization, pattern recognition and learn calculation techniques such as reciprocal thinking with this course. Calculation is at the heart of practical chess. Every chess concept builds on proper calculation technique. Therefore, all chess players should continuosly train the fundamental techniques, concepts and patterns this course will present. The goal isn't only to teach you to calculate, but to give you the tools and insights to keep improving long after the final lesson.
Free sample video: Introduction
The second edition of the Freestyle Chess tournament (7 rounds in 7 days, first week).
The major novelty: the Total Chess event of the Biel Hospital Centre (5 rounds in 5 days, second week).
This Total Chess is a genuine chess triathlon: each encounter is played against the same opponent in three consecutive time controls - rapid (10’+5’’), blitz (3’+2’’) and fast standard (60’+30’’). This format, invented in Biel in 2019 but until now reserved for the top players, is now being tested by FIDE. After I (Paul Kohler) strongly advised FIDE a few years ago to consider it, given the absurdity that many classical world championships are decided in tiebreaks, that is, in rapid and blitz games, they now seem to want to adopt it - but without referring to the inventor, which is why the term "Total Chess" has replaced the original designation "chess triathlon".
The most enthusiastic players can take on the maximum programme: Freestyle Chess in the morning of the first week, classical games in the afternoon (ATO or MTO) and Total Chess in the morning of the second week. With the one-day tournaments, up to 50 games can be played in two weeks!
Another attractive novelty: tournaments with a fast standard time control (60’+30’’), divided into two categories - WT1 (1700+ Elo) and WT2 (< 1700 Elo). Nine rounds in just five days, rated for standard Elo. Ideal for anyone who only has one week for chess in the summer!
And let us not forget the popular one-day tournaments:
Swiss Rapid Fischer Random Chess Championship (960) – 11 July
Rapid tournament – 12 July
Blitz tournament – 19 July
Second edition of the problem-solving tournament, which was a great success last year – 19 July
Vinetum Youth Tournament (JTO) – free for young players up to the age of 18 – 18 July
And finally, the beginning: the 2026 Festival will be launched one day before the official opening ceremony -with the simultaneous exhibition on Friday, 10 July at 18:00 in the Congress Centre, where the young Chinese International Master Lu Miaoyi, the world number two among under-16 girls, will take on twenty players simultaneously.
Lu Miaoyi opens the Festival with a simultaneous exhibition | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
Triathlons: Masters and Generations Challenge
Date
11-24 July 2026
Format
Chess triathlons with 6 participants each
System
Classical: 5 rounds (first legs) + 3 rounds (final: return games with the top four players). Rapid: 5 rounds (with colours reversed from the classical first legs). Blitz: 10 rounds
Time control
Classical: 120' for the first 40 moves, then 30' for the rest of the game, with a 30'' increment per move from move 41. Rapid: 15'+5'' per move. Blitz: 3'+2'' per move
Scoring
Classical: win 4 points; draw 1.5 points; loss 0 points. Rapid: win 2 points; draw 1 point; loss 0 points. Blitz: win 1 point; draw 0.5 points; loss 0 points.
Tiebreak
The final standings are determined by adding together the points scored in the three sections (classical+rapid+blitz). In the event of a tie, the final standings of the ACCENTUS Chess960 decide the ranking for the prizes.
Schedule
10 July
20:00
Reception of participants - toast at the Congress Centre
11 July
11:30
Opening ceremony at the Congress Centre
11 July
14:00
ACCENTUS Fischer Random rapid tournament
12 July
14:00
Rapid games of the Masters & Generations Challenge
13 July
14:00
Visit to Omega with the Masters & Generations Challenge participants
14-18 July
14:00
Classical games of the Masters & Generations Challenge
19 July
14:00
Blitz games of the Masters & Generations Challenge
20 July
Rest day
21-23 July
14:00
Final rounds of the Masters & Generations Challenge (classical games)
24 July
10:30
Closing ceremony with prize-giving and apéritif at the Congress Centre
The former world number two and holder of the fourth-highest Elo rating of all time (2830) combines an exceptional record with a creative playing style. An Olympiad winner with Armenia (2006, 2008, 2012), a two-time World Cup winner (2005, 2017) and the 2010 World Blitz Champion, he has belonged to the world elite for over twenty years and will try to add his name to the list of winners in Biel on his first appearance.
This compact course is designed specifically for practical play. Instead of overwhelming you with endless theory, it focuses on the critical lines, typical plans, and recurring tactical ideas. Looking for an opening that gets your opponents thinking on move one? Grandmaster Andy Woodward has relied on 1.b3 for years in blitz and bullet, using it to defeat strong masters and grandmasters who underestimated its hidden venom. While many players dismiss the opening as harmless, they often find themselves caught in unfamiliar positions, tactical traps, and uncomfortable middlegames. This compact course is designed specifically for practical play. Instead of overwhelming you with endless theory, it focuses on the critical lines, typical plans, and recurring tactical ideas that matter most when the clock is ticking.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: King's Indian Setup
Levon Aronian at the Weissenhaus Freestyle tournament 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
After his late withdrawal in 2025, the three-time winner of the Masters Triathlon (2022, 2023, 2024) returns and is aiming for a historic fourth title. The 2013 World Blitz Champion and two-time winner of the Aeroflot Open (2011, 2012) is not only successful at the board, but also as a coach.
Le Quang Liem finished second at the Leon Masters | Photo: Official website
The youngest participant and already number two in the U20 world ranking, he impresses with his exceptional precocity. As World Youth Blitz Champion and the youngest player in history to surpass 2700 Elo (May 2026), he has recently made an impression at tournaments such as the Tata Steel Masters and at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships. A name to remember.
Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus at the Tata Steel Masters 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
The German grandmaster belongs to a generation of players who have quietly but steadily established themselves among the world elite. As a two-time European Champion (2022 and 2025) and runner-up at the FIDE Grand Swiss, he qualified for the Candidates Tournament, where, as the lowest-rated player in the field, he achieved a respectable sixth place. In excellent form and well-prepared, he will travel to Biel - and the triathlon could allow him to cross the official 2700 Elo mark for the first time.
In this video course, experts (Pelletier, Marin, Müller and Reeh) examine the games of Viktor Korchnoi. Let them show you which openings Korchnoi chose to play, where his strength in middlegames were, or how he outplayed his opponents in the endgame.
Matthias Bluebaum at the 2026 Candidates Tournament | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
GM Aydin Suleymanli, Azerbaijan
Born on 22 March 2005, in Baku
Classical: 2657 Rapid: 2561 Blitz: 2559
At only 21, the Azerbaijani grandmaster is already one of the most promising players of his generation. After becoming U14 World Champion in 2019, he attracted international attention at the age of just 14 by winning the Aeroflot Open and continued his steady rise towards the world elite. As the 2024 Azerbaijani Champion and bronze medallist at the 2026 European Championship, Suleymanli is regarded as a versatile and combative player who feels at home in all time controls. In his first appearance in the Biel triathlon, he will look to further consolidate his place among the world elite.
Aydin Suleymanli in Wijk aan Zee | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
Editor's note: Aydin Suleymanli is stepping in at the last minute for Nodirbek Yakkubboev. According to the press release of 8 July 2026, Yakkubboev had to withdraw at short notice because of visa problems. The participants' list in this text has therefore been adjusted accordingly.
The top representative of Latin America since 2021 comes into the Masters Tournament without pressure. This role already suited him at the 2025 World Cup in Goa, where he knocked out five opponents - including three higher-rated players - before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual winner Javokhir Sindarov. A dangerous underdog.
Jose Martinez Alcantara facing Faustino Oro at the WR Chess Marathon in Peru | Photo: ChessBase India / Amruta Mokal
Portraits of the participants in the 2026 Generations Challenge
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, Switzerland
Born on 23 April 1984, in Perm (Russia)
Elo: Classical: 2510 (10th in the women's world ranking) Rapid: 2431 Blitz: 2392
Who could better represent Switzerland? World Champion (2008–2010), winner of the Women's World Cup 2021 and three-time Olympiad winner, she has one of the most impressive records in chess. Her experience in all formats of the triathlon will be an important factor against the younger competition. A player whose presence in the 2026 Generations Challenge carries particular weight.
Alexandra Kosteniuk at the Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess tournament 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
GM Vaishali Rameshbabu, India
Born on 21 June 2001, in Chennai
Elo: Classical: 2496 (12th in the women's world ranking) Rapid: 2410 Blitz: 2364
Biel GMT: 2024 (3rd) Biel MTO: 2021 (31st)
The Indian player will try to improve on her third place from 2024. As the only player to have won the FIDE Women's Grand Swiss twice (2023, 2025) and as the third Indian woman to earn the grandmaster title, she has just won the 2026 Candidates Tournament and will challenge World Champion Ju Wenjun in a match for the title. This experience could prove decisive at critical moments, particularly when handling pressure in tough situations.
Vaishali Rameshbabu won the 2026 Women's Candidates Tournament | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
IM Carissa Yip, USA
Born on 10 September 2003, in Boston
Elo: Classical: 2458 (20th in the women's world ranking) Rapid: 2333 Blitz: 2369
Four-time US Women's Champion and already a winner against a grandmaster at the age of ten. A two-time youth vice-world champion and a successful Olympiad participant in 2024. After strong recent results, particularly at Tata Steel India and in Wijk aan Zee, she travels to Biel in excellent form.
Carissa Yip can also be found behind the camera | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
GM Xiao Tong, China
Born on 20 November 2008, in Qingdao
Elo: Classical: 2599 (17th in the U20 world ranking) Rapid: 2452 Blitz: 2465
Biel MTO: 2024 (15th, 11th ex aequo)
Winner of the 2024 Biel Chess960 tournament and, shortly afterwards, a grandmaster - the fifth-youngest player from his country to achieve the title. Successful both in team events and individually, with achievements including gold at the 2023 U16 Olympiad as well as individual gold at the 2025 European Club Cup, he is also the reigning Chinese Champion and recently finished joint third in Reykjavik.
The King‘s Indian Attack is a universal opening: easy to learn, flexible, and rich in both tactical and positional opportunities.
Xiao Tong at the Grenke Chess Open 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
IM Vaclav Finek, Czech Republic
Born on 16 January 2010, in Liberec
Elo: Classical: 2593 (20th in the U20 world ranking) Rapid: 2454 Blitz: 2504
The future Czech grandmaster recently dominated the Challengers tournament in Prague, where he secured his final GM norm. His list of achievements is already considerable: double gold (individual and team) at the 2025 Mitropa Cup, tournament victories in Pardubice 2024 and Teplice 2025, as well as the title of U14 European Champion in 2024.
Vaclav Finek won the Prague Challengers 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
IM Marco Materia, France
Born on 24 March 2009, in Paris
Elo: Classical: 2508 (48th in the U20 world ranking) Rapid: 2491 Blitz: 2509
Biel MTO: 2022 (47th), 2023 (46th), 2024 (19th)
In his fourth appearance in Biel - and his first on the main stage - the former youth champion and U16 European Champion (2024) has repeatedly shown his strength in rapid and blitz chess. In 2024, he won the French adult titles, and at the 2025 World Blitz Championship he got to face Magnus Carlsen.
Marco Materia became French rapid champion in 2025 | Photo: Laurent Frydman, Kim and Philippe Tran / FFE, tournament website
Masters Tournament Open (MTO)
Date
13-23 July 2026
System
Open tournament, for players rated 1900 Elo and above. 10 rounds, Swiss system.
Time control
40 moves in 100 min, then 30 min for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move.
Tournament prizes
CHF 23,800 + non-cash prizes
Among those registered for the Masters Tournament (MTO) are Shamsiddin Vokhidov (2655) from Uzbekistan and Christian Gloeckler (2506) from Germany (as of 2 July 2026).
In this course, Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz presents the London System, a structured and ambitious approach based on the immediate Bf4, leading to rich and dynamic positions. The London System is one of the most popular openings at every level of chess but not all Londons are the same. In this course, Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz presents the London System, a structured and ambitious approach based on the immediate Bf4, leading to rich and dynamic positions.
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: 5...cxd4 6.exd4 Qb6 sidelines
6/5/2026 – The 14th edition of the Norway Chess super-tournament is taking place from 25 May to 5 June at Deichman Bjorvika in Oslo. An open event and a women's event are being played concurrently with an identical number of players, the same format and an equivalent prize fund. Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Alireza Firouzja enter the final round with chances to take the title. Key pairings: Firouzja v. So and Pragg v. Keymer. | Follow the games live starting at 17.00 CEST (11.00 ET, 20.30 IST) | Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza
5/6/2026 – For the 59th consecutive year, Biel/Bienne will host its prestigious International Chess Festival. From 11 to 24 July 2026, over the course of two weeks, more than 500 participants — ranging from ambitious amateurs to the world’s elite — will showcase their creativity, tactical finesse and strategic depth across a variety of formats. Below is an overview of the twelve tournaments, offering the chance to play alongside living chess legends such as Levon Aronian and Alexandra Kosteniuk, as well as rising star Lu Miaoyi (pictured). Matthias Blübaum and Candidates Tournament winner Vaishali Rameshbabu will also play. | Photos: Biel Chess Festival
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.
The Hyper-Accelerated Dragon is fast, from the very first moves, your bishop heads to g7, seizes the long diagonal, and turns into the most feared piece on the board.
It rewards players who love initiative and clear attacking plans.
The Hyper-Accelerated Dragon is fast, from the very first moves, your bishop heads to g7, seizes the long diagonal, and turns into the most feared piece on the board.
It rewards players who love initiative and clear attacking plans.
The Hyper-Accelerated dragon is fast, from the very first moves, your bishop heads to g7, seizes the long diagonal, and turns into the most feared piece on the board.
It rewards players who love initiative and clear attacking plans.
“Mate is great!” – Tactical training with Oliver Reeh, “The 8th rank” – Andy Woodward analyses his game against Magnus Carlsen from TePe Sigeman 2026, “A modern Nimzo-Indian” – Andrei Volokitin introduces readers to "his" system and much more!
Chess is a concrete game. There is no way around training your calculation skills. Improve your visualization, pattern recognition and learn calculation techniques such as reciprocal thinking with this course.
This compact course is designed specifically for practical play. Instead of overwhelming you with endless theory, it focuses on the critical lines, typical plans, and recurring tactical ideas.
Slav and Semi-Slav Powerbase 2026 is a database and contains a total of 11 766 games from Mega 2026 or the Correspondence Database 2026, of which 1136 are annotated.
€9.90
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Lu Miaoyi opens the Festival with a simultaneous exhibition | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
Le Quang Liem finished second at the Leon Masters | Photo: Official website
Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus at the Tata Steel Masters 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
Aydin Suleymanli in Wijk aan Zee | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
Jose Martinez Alcantara facing Faustino Oro at the WR Chess Marathon in Peru | Photo: ChessBase India / Amruta Mokal
Alexandra Kosteniuk at the Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess tournament 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
Vaishali Rameshbabu won the 2026 Women's Candidates Tournament | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
Carissa Yip can also be found behind the camera | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
Vaclav Finek won the Prague Challengers 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
Marco Materia became French rapid champion in 2025 | Photo: Laurent Frydman, Kim and Philippe Tran / FFE, tournament website
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