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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.
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:
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:
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
| 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. |
| 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 |
| Title | Name | Age | Country | FIDE ranking | Classical | Rapid | Blitz |
| GM | Liem Le Quang | 35 | VIE | 18 | 2731 | 2633 | 2690 |
| GM | Levon Aronian | 43 | USA | 22 | 2724 | 2735 | 2700 |
| GM | Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus | 15 | TUR | 28 | 2713 | 2493 | 2546 |
| GM | Matthias Bluebaum | 28 | GER | 36 | 2694 | 2587 | 2634 |
| GM | Aydin Suleymanli | 21 | AZ | 57 | 2657 | 2561 | 2559 |
| GM | Jose Eduardo Martinez | 27 | MEX | 69 | 2650 | 2620 | 2641 |
| Title | Name | Age | Country | FIDE ranking | Classical | Rapid | Blitz |
| GM | Xiao Tong | 17 | CHN | U20, 17 | 2599 | 2452 | 2465 |
| IM | Vaclav Finek | 16 | CZE | U20, 20 | 2593 | 2454 | 2504 |
| IM | Marco Materia | 17 | FRA | U20, 48 | 2508 | 2491 | 2509 |
| GM | Alexandra Kosteniuk | 42 | SUI | Women, 10 | 2510 | 2431 | 2392 |
| GM | Vaishali Rameshbabu | 25 | IND | Women, 12 | 2496 | 2410 | 2364 |
| IM | Carissa Yip | 22 | USA | Women, 20 | 2458 | 2333 | 2359 |
Born on 6 October 1982, in Yerevan (Armenia)
Elo
Classical: 2724 (world ranking - 22nd)
Rapid: 2735
Blitz: 2700
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.
Levon Aronian at the Weissenhaus Freestyle tournament 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
Born on 13 March 1991 in Ho Chi Minh City
Elo:
Classical: 2731 (world ranking - 18th)
Rapid: 2633
Blitz: 2690
Biel GMT: 2022 (winner), 2023 (winner), 2024 (winner)
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
Born on 3 June 2011, in Bursa
Elo:
Classical: 2713 (world ranking - 28th / 2nd U20)
Rapid: 2493
Blitz: 2546
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
Born on 18 April 1997, in Lemgo
Elo:
Classical: 2694 (world ranking - 36th)
Rapid: 2587
Blitz: 2634
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.
Matthias Bluebaum at the 2026 Candidates Tournament | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
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.
Born on 31 January 1999, in Lima (Peru)
Elo:
Classical: 2650 (world ranking - 69th)
Rapid: 2620
Blitz: 2641
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
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
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
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
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.
Xiao Tong at the Grenke Chess Open 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
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
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
| 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).
For more information about the various tournaments: Official tournament website.
Total Chess explained | Video: Biel Chess Festival
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