12 Opens! Something for everyone! Take your pick!

For the 59th consecutive year, Biel/Bienne will host its prestigious International Chess Festival. Over two weeks, from July 11 to 24, 2026, over half a thousand participants will showcase their creativity, tactical skill and strategic understanding across a wide range of formats, from amateur level to the world elite. Here is a quick overview of the twelve (!) events that will give you the chance to play in the same room as living legends such as Levon Aronian and Alexandra Kosteniuk!

12 Opens! Something for everyone! Take your pick!

Last Thursday saw the unveiling of the participants for our prestigious invitation tournaments — the Masters, the Generations Challenge and the ACCENTUS Chess960 — along with the opening of online registration for the open tournaments. Ready to compete? Below is a quick overview of the twelve open tournaments.

Six classical open tournaments offer maximum flexibility: Free Style Chess, Fast Standard (9 rounds over 5 days), classical standard (ATO and MTO), and the brand-new Biel Hospital Center Total Chess — a chess triathlon where each match is combining, every morning of the final week, one rapid game (10'+5''), one blitz game (3'+2'') and one fast-standard game (60'+30'').

The most ambitious players will go for the full package: Free Style mornings in the first week, classical games in the afternoons (ATO or MTO), then triathlon mornings in the second week alongside the final rounds of the ATO or MTO — if you add the one-day tournaments 960, Rapid, and Blitz, you end up playing 50 games in just two weeks! Those with only one week to spare can choose between the Free Style Chess (7 rounds over 7 days) at the start of the Festival, or one of the two Fast Standard tournaments (±1700 Elo limit, time control 60'+30'') held over the last five days with double rounds.

What's new in 2026

• Biel Hospital Center Total Chess – Triathlon (TRI): every morning of the final week, a match combining one rapid game + one blitz game + one fast-standard game. A perfect fit for ATO or MTO players or for the ones who want to enjoy the summer afternoons away from the board.

• Fast Standard (WT1 / WT2): two nine-round tournaments (WT1 for players rated 1700+; WT2 for players rated below 1700), at the 60'+30'' time control, counting for the standard rating. The ideal option for those who can only attend for five days.

• Free Style Chess (FSC): for the second consecutive year, the tournament formerly known as Chess960 or Fischer Random Chess returns, with 7 rounds at the 60'+30'' time control on the mornings of the first week.

The classic tournaments

• ATO (Amateurs Tournament): 9 rounds, 90'+30’ +30'' time control, up to 2050 Elo.

• MTO (Masters Tournament): 10 rounds, 100'+30’ +30'' time control, from 1900 Elo.

• RAP / BTZ: rapid and blitz tournaments.

• JTO – Vinetum: free entry tournament for players under 19.

• PLT: second edition of the Chess Problem Solving Competition, for chess studies enthusiasts.

• SIM: Festival prologue, Friday 10 July given by Chinese teenage prodigy Lu Miaoyi (aged 16 - photo).

Come and challenge some of the world's finest players, sharpen your tactical instincts, and immerse yourself in a unique experience where passion, strategy and camaraderie come together. Whether you are a casual player or a seasoned competitor, the Biel Chess Festival is the perfect opportunity to improve your game, share your love of chess and create lasting memories.

Full Schedule:

Contacts:

Tatjana Kraska Horvath, Secretary, office@bielchessfestival.ch, 032 589 68 68

Florian Zarri, Tounament regulations, arbiter@bielchessfestival.ch

Paul Kohler, Festival Director: paul.kohler@bielchessfestival.ch

Peter Bohnenblust, Chair of the Organising Committee: 076 405 80 87