KCF Friendship Festival opens

by ChessBase
6/26/2026 – The Kasparov Chess Foundation Friendship Festival 2026 officially got underway on Thursday in Radenci, Slovenia, where more than 180 players from over 30 countries gathered for one of the strongest international chess festivals ever organized in the country. The tournament combines top-level competition with educational activities, featuring the Open Tournament, Kasparov Day, the International Trainers Conference and the KCF Chess Camp. Photos by Jernej Borovinšek.
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KCF Friendship Festival 2026 opens with strong international field in Radenci

Opening ceremony

Before the first moves were played, participants were welcomed by Michael Khodarkovsky, President of the Kasparov Chess Foundation, and GM Georg Mohr, Tournament Director of the festival.

Khodarkovsky also made the ceremonial first move on the top board, where Slovenia's promising young talent Leon Škrbec faced tournament favourite GM Vladimir Fedoseev (right).

The symbolic opening proved fitting, as the encounter developed into one of the most interesting games of the round. After a long and hard-fought battle, Škrbec held the top seed to an impressive draw, earning one of the biggest results of his young career.

A truly international tournament

The inaugural edition of the KCF Friendship Festival Open has attracted an outstanding field. More than 180 players representing over 30 federations have travelled to Radenci, including 16 Grandmasters, 22 International Masters, 4 Woman Grandmasters and numerous FIDE Masters and promising juniors. The diversity and strength of the field underline the festival's ambition to become one of Central Europe's leading international chess events.

National champions and chess legends

Top seed GM Vladimir Fedoseev heads an exceptionally strong lineup. The organizers are particularly pleased to welcome three reigning national champions: GM Xu Xiangyu, the current Chinese Champion, GM P. Iniyan, the reigning Indian Champion, and GM Szymon Gumularz, the newly crowned Polish Champion.

Current Polish Champion Szymon Gumularz, current Chinese Champion Xu Xiangyu

The tournament also features two legendary grandmasters whose careers have inspired generations of chess players: GM Alexander Beliavsky, four-time USSR Champion and former World Championship Candidate, and GM Zdenko Kožul, the 2006 European Champion. Their presence adds further prestige to an already impressive field.

Round 1

Despite a few early surprises, most of the favourites began the tournament successfully. On the top board, Leon Škrbec earned an excellent draw against GM Vladimir Fedoseev after a tense struggle.

On the remaining leading boards, the higher-rated players largely justified their status, with many of the tournament favourites beginning with convincing victories. Among those starting with full points were GM P. Iniyan, GM Xu Xiangyu, GM Szymon Gumularz and several other leading grandmasters, setting the stage for exciting pairings in Round 2.

The KCF Friendship Festival continues on Friday with two rounds, as the battle for the title begins to intensify.

Follow the games live

All games from the KCF Friendship Festival Open can be followed on ChessBase Live:

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