The full program of the festival will be unveiled in a forthcoming press release — registrations are already open!
Join us in the world of 64 squares alongside the players of the Masters and Challengers, the true showcases of the festival: 12 world-class players will compete on the stage of the Congress Centre in the chess triathlon, Biel’s signature innovation.
Masters:
The Masters is the flagship event of the festival, featuring a top-level international lineup. It comes close to the symbolic 2700 Elo average, a level currently reached by only around thirty players worldwide. Most participants will be making their debut in Biel, all having recently delivered strong performances in major international events. Spectacular chess is to be expected.
Levon Aronian (43, 2724 Elo, USA): 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.
Liem Le Quang (35, 2731 Elo, Vietnam): the three-time Masters Triathlon winner (2022, 2023, 2024) has already demonstrated his mastery of the Biel format and will be aiming for a historic fourth title to compensate his last-minute withdrawal in 2025. World Blitz Champion in 2013 and two-time Aeroflot Open winner (2011, 2012), he combines top-level play with coaching, serving as head coach of the Webster University chess team (USA), one of the most renowned programs in the country.
Matthias Blübaum (28, 2695 Elo, Germany): 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.
Nodirbek Yakubboev (24, 2689 Elo, Uzbekistan): 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.
Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (14, 2687 Elo, Türkiye): 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.
José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara (27, 2646 Elo, Mexico): 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.
Generations Challenge:
The Generations Challenge naturally complements the Masters. The lineup has been built around a balance between leading female players and young talents under 18, creating an interesting contrast between experience and emerging potential. Among them is Alexandra Kosteniuk, former World Champion and Swiss representative, whose presence adds a notable reference to the festival in this Swiss context.
Alexandra Kosteniuk (41, 2487 Elo, Switzerland): 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.
Vaishali Rameshbabu (24, 2470 Elo, India): 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.
Carissa Yip (22, 2486 Elo, USA): 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.
Vaclav Finek (16, 2547 Elo, Czech Republic): 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.
Xiao Tong (17, 2555 Elo, China): 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.
Marco Materia (17, 2497 Elo, France): 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.
For any further information:
Tatjana Kraska Horvath, Secretary, office@bielchessfestival.ch
Laurent Freyd, Tournament Director invitational events, laurent.freyd@bielchessfestival.ch
Paul Kohler, Festival Director: paul.kohler@bielchessfestival.ch
Peter Bohnenblust, President of the Organizing Committee: +41 76 405 80 87
Photo credits (various): Biel Chess Festival, David Llada, FIDE, Michal Walusza, Lennart Ootes, Mark Livshitz, Patricia Claros