For more than a month, the global chess community was gripped by the intense battles of the FIDE Chess Olympiad and the political drama surrounding the FIDE Presidential election. Now, as the dust slowly settles, the broader chess landscape is regaining its rightful spotlight.
Privately run open tournaments remain the lifeblood of the sport, offering a crucial gateway to new heights for ambitious, hardworking players who are locked out of the exclusive elite circuits. Even when the prize funds are modest, the opportunity to secure ever-important title norms counts for a lot. When a venue perfectly fits the motto "chess, sea and sun", it adds a wonderful layer to the competitive experience. And if that tournament takes place in Africa, a continent boasting a vibrant chess community but historically lacking international open events, the picture is complete.
The Sahel Chess Festival encompasses all of these elements. From October 24 to November 1, 2026, the famous resort town of Monastir on the central Tunisian coast will host an expected 300 international competitors at the four-star Hotel El Habib. The full technical regulations and official entry details can be found on the festival's official website.
Negotiations with titled players are still ongoing, but a formidable lineup has already been confirmed. Most of them will be travelling to Monastir after only a brief respite following their gruelling schedules at the Olympiad.
Among the headliners in Group A are:
GM Titas Stremavicius (2558) of Lithuania. The national champion in 2021, 2025, and 2026, Titas has represented his country at three Chess Olympiads (2018, 2022, and 2026). At the recent Olympiad, he played on board one with an unbeaten performance, securing draws against much higher rated opponents including GM M. Amin Tabatabaei (2737, IRI), GM Nikita Vitiugov (2666, ENG), GM Alexey Sarana (2666, SRB), GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac (2644, ROU), GM Thai Dai Van Nguyen (2633, CZE) and GM Ivan Saric (2623, CRO). A qualifier for the 2025 World Cup, Titas is no stranger to upsets, having famously knocked out Wesley So in the second round.
Image: Sahel Chess Festival
GM Pavel Ponkratov (2540, FID), a dynamic Russian grandmaster who won the Russian Rapid Cup in 2017 and 2018. In 2021, he won the Russian Championship Higher League and qualified for both the Russian Superfinal and the FIDE World Cup.
Image: Sahel Chess Festival
Dutch GM Nijboer Friso (2441), represented his country in six Chess Olympiads (1996–2006). He has written four different volumes on opening theory, Tactics in the Chess Opening.
Image: Sahel Chess Festival
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
Free sample video: Quiet Moves
Representing the host nation is Tunisia's top active player, IM Kamel Njili (2406). A dedicated coach, Njili captained the Tunisian women’s team at the latest Olympiad. He recently launched the Njili Chess Academy in the capital city of Tunis, which is already training hundreds of aspiring young talents.
Image: Sahel Chess Festival
Also flying the Tunisian flag is GM Amir Zaibi (2343), who secured his grandmaster title in 2020 after winning the Arab Chess Championship.
Image: Sahel Chess Festival
GM Mihail Marin (2413) of Romania, a renowned ChessBase author, trainer and captain of the Italian women's squad at the recent Olympiad will be accompanied by his partner, the talented artist and player WFM Maria Yugina (2052, ROU).
Maria Yugina and Mihail Marin | Photo: Maria Yugina's Facebook
Two bright young prospects will enter the fray from India: WGM Priyanka Nutakki (2261) and twelve-year-old CM Aryan Mehta (2203).
Image: Sahel Chess Festival
This “60 Minutes” is aimed at providing the reader with a guide to positional and strategic play in the middlegame.
Fully dedicated to his budding chess career, Aryan has spent the last couple of years intensively studying the game and competing internationally. In Monastir, he will be travelling with his coach, GM Farrukh Amonatov (2598) of Tajikistan.
Aryan Mehta | Photo: Sunway Sitges Chess Festival
We previewed this event several months ago. This announcement serves as a final reminder for last-minute, efficient players looking to treat themselves to a valuable Mediterranean chess experience. If you cannot make it this autumn, make sure to pencil the festival into your calendar for next year. The 2027 edition is set to move to Sousse to celebrate the historic 60th anniversary of the legendary 1967 Sousse Interzonal, a tournament famously graced by the presence of Bobby Fischer.
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