Chess on the Mediterranean coast
The Sahel Chess Festival, a new chess event in Tunisia, establishes the African continent on the international chess map. Its inaugural edition took place last year, and we covered it on the pages of our news site.
FIDE also highlighted the tournament under the headline “From Norway to North Africa”, referring to the victory of Norwegian grandmaster Johan-Sebastian Christiansen, Norway’s second-highest-rated player after Magnus Carlsen.
GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen lapping up the sun in Monastir
The Sahel Chess Festival’s second edition will take place from 24 October 2026 (arrival day) through to 1 November 2026 (departure day), in Monastir, Tunisia.
A panoramic view of Monastir, showing the old town, the marina and the central beach
The Festival will feature five classical tournaments, divided according to rating categories. Full regulations and the official invitation can be found here.
One of the tournaments is reserved exclusively for players aged fifty and above, reflecting the organisers’ desire to offer attractive playing opportunities for senior competitors.
Young players, however, will once again form an important part of the Festival. Thanks to its partnership with Smart Chess Academy, based in Sousse and recently expanded with a second branch in Tunis, many promising Tunisian juniors are expected to compete alongside their international counterparts.
GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen with Dhafer Ktita, founder of Smart Chess Academy
The Festival’s principal sponsor is Chess Mall, a specialist chess retailer based in Sousse. Although operating with a relatively modest prize fund, last year’s inaugural edition attracted more than 300 players from around the world, which demonstrates that attractive playing conditions and an appealing destination can successfully draw an international field. The organisers are seeking additional sponsorship to support the Festival’s long-term development and strengthen its contribution to chess on the African continent.
Calculation is at the heart of practical chess. Every chess concept builds on proper calculation technique. Therefore, all chess players should continuosly train the fundamental techniques, concepts and patterns this course will present. The goal isn’t only to teach you to calculate, but to give you the tools and insights to keep improving long after the final lesson.
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: Quiet Moves
Hassen Abdelali, founder of Chess Mall and the driving force behind the Festival
The organisers’ ambition for this year’s edition is to attract a stronger field of titled players in order to create opportunities for players seeking international title norms. Invitations have already been extended to several grandmasters, while discussions with additional titled players are still ongoing.
A short, promotional video
Beyond the chess itself, the Festival benefits greatly from its location. Monastir, situated on Tunisia’s central Mediterranean coast, is one of the country’s best-known seaside destinations, combining sandy beaches with a rich historical heritage.
The official venue, the four-star Hotel El Habib Monastir, enjoys a particularly convenient location. Besides offering direct access to the beach and several swimming pools, it lies within walking distance of Monastir’s historic centre, marina and principal cultural landmarks.
For participants, the organisers offer an eight-night full-board package, including soft drinks, for €486 per person in a shared double room, representing excellent value for an international chess festival.
Hotel El Habib Monastir | Photo: Hotel’s official website
October is also an attractive period to visit Tunisia. While the intense summer heat has passed, temperatures remain pleasant and the Mediterranean Sea is often still warm enough for swimming. Players will naturally devote much of their attention to their games, but family members and other accompanying persons will have ample opportunity to enjoy both the beaches and the town itself.
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Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: King’s Indian Setup
A beach in Monastir
Monastir is served by its own Habib Bourguiba International Airport and is located a two-hour drive from the capital, Tunis.
The festival’s concept revolves around Sahel (meaning ‘shore’ or ‘coast’), one of the country’s six regions. While Monastir was chosen to host the first two editions, the organisers envisage that future Festivals will rotate between several of the region’s celebrated coastal and historical cities, including Sousse, Mahdia, Kairouan and El Jem.
The third edition, planned for 2027, is expected to take place in Sousse and will commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the famous 1967 Sousse Interzonal, remembered as one of the most controversial events in chess history after Bobby Fischer withdrew following a dispute with the organisers.