Top-notch chess overlooking Lake Tegernsee: Tabatabaei heads strong field in Bavarian tournament

by ChessBase
10/31/2025 – Tactics, strategy and plenty of brainpower: from 1 to 9 November 2025, a first-class chess tournament will once again take place in Gmund am Tegernsee. At the 28th Open International Bavarian Chess Championship (OIBM), chess players from all over the world will come together to compete over the board - against an Alpine backdrop, with a holiday atmosphere and in a friendly tournament setting. Over 550 participants from 32 nations have registered to participate, including 115 titleholders. | Photo: Thomas Plettenberg / Faszination Schach
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Ideal playing conditions

According to the organisers, the OIBM 2025 - now in its 28th edition - remains one of the most important open chess tournaments in Europe. And shortly before the start, the expected field of participants seems to live up to that reputation: with 115 titled players across all age groups, including 23 GMs, 24 IMs, 1 WGM, 6 WIMs and numerous other titleholders in various categories, the list reads like a "who's who" of the chess world.

Historic setting

The venue, as in previous years, is the historic Gut Kaltenbrunn estate overlooking Lake Tegernsee. With views of the lake and surrounding mountains, the complex offers ideal playing conditions and sufficient space for nearly 600 participants - a capacity that, as experience shows, is usually reached early. Those wishing to secure a place should hurry, as the registration deadline is 27 October. Once the limit is reached, a waiting list will be opened.

The tournament will consist of nine rounds, played under the Swiss system, with accelerated pairings in the first five rounds following the Baku method. The prize fund, including cash and material prizes, stands at around €15,000 - the same as last year. This makes the event not only attractive from a sporting perspective but also financially rewarding - for both amateurs and the international elite.

A highlight for spectators and those following from home: 44 live boards will transmit the top games online in real time. Fairness and compliance with the rules will be ensured by the experienced team of arbiters led by Chief Arbiter Ralph Alt, supported by Sandra Schmidt, Gerhard Bertagnolli, Hans Brugger and Stefan Ewert.

Young talents

Tournament Director Sebastian Siebrecht, himself a grandmaster and internationally active chess ambassador, is particularly committed to supporting young players. Many young talents are once again expected this year - often accompanied by their families, who combine their love of chess with an autumn holiday in the Tegernsee Valley. In addition to the competitive programme, a variety of leisure activities around the lake offer opportunities for active relaxation - from autumnal hiking and cycling tours to wellness and traditional Bavarian cuisine in the nearby inns.

Peter Rie, Event Manager of Tegernsee Valley Tourism GmbH and Tournament Director of the OIBM, emphasises the event's importance for the region:

The OIBM generates around half a million euros of added value for the region every year - and that during the low season. Players from all over the world, loyal regular participants, and families make this tournament a special event for the Tegernsee Valley. Our great thanks go to all hosts who support the event by accommodating a grandmaster, as well as to the school chess club and all sponsors.

Registered players

No. Name RtgI
1 Tabatabaei, M. Amin 2681
2 Jacobson, Brandon 2595
3 Amar, Elham 2593
4 Gumularz, Szymon 2592
5 Engel, Luis 2560
6 Horvath, Dominik 2558
7 Visakh, N R 2552
8 Bauer, Christian 2550
9 Costa, Leonardo 2546
10 Dragnev, Valentin 2539
11 Gopal, G.N. 2539
12 Pultinevicius, Paulius 2532
13 Sasikiran, Krishnan 2524
14 Vrolijk, Liam 2524
15 Hardaway, Brewington 2522
16 Ghazarian, Kirk 2513
17 Chasin, Nico 2504
18 Gokerkan, Cem Kaan 2502
19 Abdisalimov, Abdimalik 2501
20 Gholami Orimi, Mahdi 2500
21 Celik, Hasan Huseyin 2494
22 Dau, Khuong Duy 2489
23 Nigmatov, Ortik 2485
24 Rathanvel, V S 2483
25 Ioannidis, Evgenios 2479
26 Stocek, Jiri 2474
27 Zelbel, Patrick 2474
28 Naumann, Alexander 2473
29 Chanda, Sandipan 2467
30 Aarav, Dengla 2459

...557 players

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