Former world number two and holder of the fourth-highest rating in history (2830), his achievements are matched only by his renowned creativity. A three-time Olympiad gold medallist with Armenia (2006, 2008, 2012), winner of two World Cups (2005, 2017) and the 2010 World Blitz Championship, he has been competing at the very top level for over two decades and will look to add his name to Biel’s winners list on his debut.

The German grandmaster is one of those quiet players who steadily establish themselves among the world elite. European Champion in 2022 and 2025, runner-up at the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss — earning qualification for the Candidates Tournament — he is enjoying an excellent season and will arrive in Biel in top form.

Four-time national champion, Olympiad gold medallist in 2022 and semi-finalist of the 2025 World Cup, he is a fearless competitor. Winner of the strong Qatar Masters Open 2023 ahead of an elite field including Magnus Carlsen, and of the UzChess Cup Masters 2024 despite starting as an outsider, he embodies the ambition of the new Uzbek generation. With the Olympiad coming to his home country, he will be eager to impress in Biel.

The youngest player in the field and already world number two under 20, he stands out for his precocity. World Youth Blitz Champion and the youngest player in history to surpass 2600 Elo, he has recently delivered strong performances in events such as the Tata Steel Masters and the World Rapid and Blitz Championships. A name to remember.

The first Latin American representative since 2021, the Peruvian-born Mexican will approach the Masters without pressure. This role suited him well at the 2025 World Cup in Goa, where he defeated five opponents, including three higher-rated players, before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual winner Sindarov. A dangerous outsider.