Eight players from the world's top 100 will compete in the GMT grandmaster tournament at this year's Biel Chess Festival, which will run from 14-30 July. The field of participants is led by the world no. 19, China's Yu Yangyi (2735 Elo), followed by previous year's winner Lê Quang Liêm from Vietnam (world no. 21) and the reigning Indian champion Arjun Erigaisi. On average, the GMT participants have an impressive Elo rating of 2699. As in previous years, the GMT will be held as a triathlon: In a mix of games in the classical cadence, rapid chess and blitz.
Open tournaments for every level
The organisers have expanded the range of open tournaments: Besides the Master Tournament MTO for high-level players and the Amateur Tournament ATO, this year's programme also includes the Main Tournament HTO and the Week's Tournament WTO. The HTO, which is located between the MTO and ATO, is open to all players above 1700 Elo. The week's tournament WTO is being held for the first time and is limited to seven rounds in five days. It is the ideal tournament for all those who have enjoyed chess online in recent years and now want to try their hand at the real board in a tournament atmosphere for the first time. Registrations for last-minute players are possible until the morning of the first day of play, 24 July.