Hans Suri †
It is with deep distress that we say farewell to Hans Suri, honorary member, long-time director of the International Chess Festival in Biel and a dear friend. After a brief and severe illness, Hans passed away on June 14, 2013 at the age of 85.
Hans was not only the founder of the International Chess Festival in Biel, but he has also been its organizer for 30 years (1968-1997). As highlights, three Interzonal tournaments were held during this period, that have made the annual chess event known worldwide. Moreover, he was greatly involved in the local chess club in Biel and lead its first team towards the title of Swiss Team Champion for four times till 1997.
For his outstanding contribution, Hans was awarded an honorary membership in the Swiss Chess Federation, in the Chess Club of Biel and the International Chess Festival Biel Association.
The chess world loses a great friend and promoter of the royal game.
We extend the relatives our sincere condolences and wish them much strength and faith in these difficult times.
Your chess friends
The funeral will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 3 p.m. in the chapel 2 at the cemetery Biel-Madretsch.
Photios Lucio Barvas †
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our friend and long-time collaborator of the International Chess Festival in Biel. Lucio died on June 13, 2013 at the age of 78 after a long and serious illness.
Lucio has been involved in the International Chess Festival in Biel for over 25 years until 2009. He started as an arbiter, and later took over the edition of the daily round bulletins with great commitment for many years. Along that, he is well-known for representing Chessbase in Switzerland.
We thank him for his admirable work and will honour him as a good friend in our memories!
We extend the relatives our sincere condolences and wish them much strength and faith in these difficult times.
Your chess friends
The funeral will be held on Friday, June 21, 2013 at 11a.m. at the cemetery in Uster.
46th Biel International Chess Festival
We are pleased to announce the six participants of the Grandmaster Tournament in memoriam Olivier Breisacher:
Etienne Bacrot, FRA, FIDE 24, Elo 2725
Ian Nepomniachtchi, RUS, FIDE 25, Elo 2717
Alexander Moiseenko, UKR,FIDE 31, Elo 2711
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, FRA, FIDE 41, Elo 2706
Ding Liren, CHN, FIDE 46, Elo 2702
Richard Rapport, HUN, FIDE 69, Elo 2674 (Juniors U-18 #1)
It will be a category 19 event (Elo 2706), round robin.
More Information
How to register?You are kindly encouraged to subscribe online for the tournaments (Master Tournament, Main Tournament, Rapid, Blitz etc.).
Please find here all the regulations of the open tournaments (Regulations). |
AccommodationMTO: Registered Players(as of June 9, 2013)
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New member of the organization committee: GM Yannick Pelletier
The International Chess Festival Biel is happy to introduce Yannick Pelletier, the person in charge of the GM-Tournament. He takes over this function, following the tragic death of Olivier Breisacher. As an experienced Grandmaster, he will attempt to carry on with high-class Grandmaster tournaments in Biel. We wish him a good start and the best of luck in his new duty.
46th Biel International Chess Festival: 20.07. - 02.08.2013
Rino Castagna †
We are deeply saddened by the death of our friend and former co-organizer of the International Chess Festival Biel. He passed away on January 25th, at the age of 76, after a long illness.
Rino assisted the Biel International Chess Festival for 30 years until 1998. During this time, he was responsible for the finances and in the early days, he also worked as a tournament director. His great commitment contributed to shaping the chess festival in all these years. We thank him and will keep him in respectful memory.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, hoping they will find strength and comfort in these moments of sorrow.
Your chess friends
Olivier Breisacher
It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of our friend and co-organizer of the Biel International Chess Festival. By an accident at the age of 44 years, he has left us far too soon.
Through his tireless engagement, his journalistic expertice and profound knowledge of chess as well as his great fellowshop with the chess community at large, Olivier had helped to establish the Biel International Chess Festival as a beacon in the international chess world.
We lose a dear, esteemed and valued Friend.
We will indeed miss him.
We extend to his family our most sincere and heartfelt condolences and wish them much strength and confidence in this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Your chess companions
The funeral will take place on Tuesday August 14, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the cemetry, Friedhof Madretsch in Biel.