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GM Alexandra KOSTENIUK

Born on April 23, 1984, in Perm (Russia)

Elo std: 2487
Rapid: 2451
Blitz: 2401

GMT: –
MTO: –

 

What better ambassador for Switzerland? Women’s World Champion (2008–2010), winner of the Women’s World Cup (2021), and triple Olympiad gold medallist with Russia (2010, 2012, 2014), she has one of the most accomplished records in the game. Her experience across all triathlon formats will be a key asset against her younger opponents. A presence that will matter in this 2026 Generations Challenge.

Image Photo credit: Biel Chess Festival
Photo credit: Biel Chess Festival
by
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GM Vaishali RAMESHBABU

India

Born on June 21, 2001, in Chennai

Elo std: 2470
Rapid: 2387
Blitz: 2371

GMT: 2024 (3rd)
MTO: 2021 (31st)
 

The Indian player will aim to improve on her third place in 2024. The only player to have won the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss twice (2023, 2025), and the third Indian woman to achieve the grandmaster title, she is currently competing in the Candidates Tournament for the Women’s World Championship against Ju Wenjun. This experience could prove decisive in key moments, particularly in handling pressure and critical decisions.

Image Photo credit: Lennart Ootes
Photo credit: Lennart Ootes
by Lennart Ootes
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IM Carissa YIP

USA

Born on September 10, 2003, in Boston

Elo std: 2482
Rapid: 2356
Blitz: 2351

GMT: –
MTO: –

 

Four-time US Champion (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025), she defeated her first grandmaster at just 10 years old. A two-time World Youth silver medallist (U12 and U20), she also excelled at the 2024 Olympiad, winning individual gold and team bronze. Following strong results at Tata Steel India and Wijk aan Zee, she arrives in Biel in excellent form.

Image Photo credit: Mark Livshitz
Photo credit: Mark Livshitz
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IM Vaclav FINEK

Czech Republic

Born on January 16, 2010, in Liberec

Elo std: 2571
Rapid: 2454
Blitz: 2504

GMT: –
MTO: –
 

The next Czech grandmaster, he recently dominated the Prague Challenger, securing his final GM norm. His record is already impressive, including double gold (individual and team) at the 2025 Mitropa Cup, victories in Pardubice 2024 and Teplice 2025, and the European U14 title in 2024.

Image Photo credit: Biel Chess Festival
Photo credit: Biel Chess Festival
by
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GM Xiao TONG

China

Born on November 20, 2008, in Qingdao

Elo std: 2555
Rapid: 2441
Blitz: 2427

GMT: –
MTO: 2024 (15th, 11th ex-aequo)
 

Winner of the Biel Chess960 tournament in 2024, he became a grandmaster shortly afterwards — the fifth youngest in Chinese history. He has excelled both in team events (gold at the U16 Olympiad 2023, individual gold at the 2025 European Club Cup) and individually, as reigning Chinese champion and recent joint third place finisher in Reykjavik.

Image Photo credit: FIDE / Lennart Ootes
Photo credit: FIDE / Lennart Ootes
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IM Marco MATERIA

France

Born on March 24, 2009, in Paris

Elo std: 2495
Rapid: 2487
Blitz: 2503

GMT: –
MTO: 2022 (47th), 2023 (46th), 2024 (19th)
 

Making his fourth appearance in Biel and first time on the stage, the former French youth champion and European U16 champion (2024) has already proven himself in rapid and blitz, winning the French adult titles in 2024. He notably faced Magnus Carlsen at the 2025 World Blitz Championship and has achieved several top-5 finishes in Biel in recent years.