| 10 July | 20:00 | Reception of participants – toast at the Congress Centre |
| 11 July | 11:30 | Opening ceremony at the Congress Centre |
| 11 July | 14:00 | ACCENTUS Fischer Random rapid tournament |
| 12 July | 14:00 | Rapid games of the Masters & Generations Challenge |
| 13 July | 14:00 | Visit to Omega with the Masters & Generations Challenge participants |
| 14-18 July | 14:00 | Classical games of the Masters & Generations Challenge |
| 19 July | 14:00 | Blitz games of the Masters & Generations Challenge |
| 20 July | Rest day | |
| 21-23 July | 14:00 | Final rounds of the Masters & Generations Challenge (classical games) |
| 24 July | 10:30 | Closing ceremony with prize-giving and apéritif at the Congress Centre |
The participants
Masters
| Title | Name | Age | Country | FIDE ranking | Classical | Rapid | Blitz |
| GM | Liem Le Quang | 35 | VIE | 18 | 2731 | 2633 | 2690 |
| GM | Levon Aronian | 43 | USA | 22 | 2724 | 2735 | 2700 |
| GM | Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus | 15 | TUR | 28 | 2713 | 2493 | 2546 |
| GM | Matthias Bluebaum | 28 | GER | 36 | 2694 | 2587 | 2634 |
| GM | Aydin Suleymanli | 21 | AZ | 57 | 2657 | 2561 | 2559 |
| GM | Jose Eduardo Martinez | 27 | MEX | 69 | 2650 | 2620 | 2641 |
Generations Challenge
| Title | Name | Age | Country | FIDE ranking | Classical | Rapid | Blitz |
| GM | Xiao Tong | 17 | CHN | U20, 17 | 2599 | 2452 | 2465 |
| IM | Vaclav Finek | 16 | CZE | U20, 20 | 2593 | 2454 | 2504 |
| IM | Marco Materia | 17 | FRA | U20, 48 | 2508 | 2491 | 2509 |
| GM | Alexandra Kosteniuk | 42 | SUI | Women, 10 | 2510 | 2431 | 2392 |
| GM | Vaishali Rameshbabu | 25 | IND | Women, 12 | 2496 | 2410 | 2364 |
| IM | Carissa Yip | 22 | USA | Women, 20 | 2458 | 2333 | 2359 |
Portraits of the participants in the 2026 Masters
GM Levon Aronian, USA
Born on 6 October 1982, in Yerevan (Armenia)
Elo
Classical: 2724 (world ranking – 22nd)
Rapid: 2735
Blitz: 2700
The former world number two and holder of the fourth-highest Elo rating of all time (2830) combines an exceptional record with a creative playing style. An Olympiad winner with Armenia (2006, 2008, 2012), a two-time World Cup winner (2005, 2017) and the 2010 World Blitz Champion, he has belonged to the world elite for over twenty years and will try to add his name to the list of winners in Biel on his first appearance.
Looking for an opening that gets your opponents thinking on move one? Grandmaster Andy Woodward has relied on 1.b3 for years in blitz and bullet, using it to defeat strong masters and grandmasters who underestimated its hidden venom. While many players dismiss the opening as harmless, they often find themselves caught in unfamiliar positions, tactical traps, and uncomfortable middlegames. This compact course is designed specifically for practical play. Instead of overwhelming you with endless theory, it focuses on the critical lines, typical plans, and recurring tactical ideas that matter most when the clock is ticking.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: King’s Indian Setup
Levon Aronian at the Weissenhaus Freestyle tournament 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
GM Liem Le Quang, Vietnam
Born on 13 March 1991 in Ho Chi Minh City
Elo:
Classical: 2731 (world ranking – 18th)
Rapid: 2633
Blitz: 2690
Biel GMT: 2022 (winner), 2023 (winner), 2024 (winner)
After his late withdrawal in 2025, the three-time winner of the Masters Triathlon (2022, 2023, 2024) returns and is aiming for a historic fourth title. The 2013 World Blitz Champion and two-time winner of the Aeroflot Open (2011, 2012) is not only successful at the board, but also as a coach.
Le Quang Liem finished second at the Leon Masters | Photo: Official website
GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, Türkiye
Born on 3 June 2011, in Bursa
Elo:
Classical: 2713 (world ranking – 28th / 2nd U20)
Rapid: 2493
Blitz: 2546
The youngest participant and already number two in the U20 world ranking, he impresses with his exceptional precocity. As World Youth Blitz Champion and the youngest player in history to surpass 2700 Elo (May 2026), he has recently made an impression at tournaments such as the Tata Steel Masters and at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships. A name to remember.
Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus at the Tata Steel Masters 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
GM Matthias Bluebaum, Germany
Born on 18 April 1997, in Lemgo
Elo:
Classical: 2694 (world ranking – 36th)
Rapid: 2587
Blitz: 2634
The German grandmaster belongs to a generation of players who have quietly but steadily established themselves among the world elite. As a two-time European Champion (2022 and 2025) and runner-up at the FIDE Grand Swiss, he qualified for the Candidates Tournament, where, as the lowest-rated player in the field, he achieved a respectable sixth place. In excellent form and well-prepared, he will travel to Biel – and the triathlon could allow him to cross the official 2700 Elo mark for the first time.
Matthias Bluebaum at the 2026 Candidates Tournament | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
GM Aydin Suleymanli, Azerbaijan
Born on 22 March 2005, in Baku
Classical: 2657
Rapid: 2561
Blitz: 2559
At only 21, the Azerbaijani grandmaster is already one of the most promising players of his generation. After becoming U14 World Champion in 2019, he attracted international attention at the age of just 14 by winning the Aeroflot Open and continued his steady rise towards the world elite. As the 2024 Azerbaijani Champion and bronze medallist at the 2026 European Championship, Suleymanli is regarded as a versatile and combative player who feels at home in all time controls. In his first appearance in the Biel triathlon, he will look to further consolidate his place among the world elite.
Aydin Suleymanli in Wijk aan Zee | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
Editor’s note: Aydin Suleymanli is stepping in at the last minute for Nodirbek Yakkubboev. According to the press release of 8 July 2026, Yakkubboev had to withdraw at short notice because of visa problems. The participants’ list in this text has therefore been adjusted accordingly.
GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara, Mexico
Born on 31 January 1999, in Lima (Peru)
Elo:
Classical: 2650 (world ranking – 69th)
Rapid: 2620
Blitz: 2641
The top representative of Latin America since 2021 comes into the Masters Tournament without pressure. This role already suited him at the 2025 World Cup in Goa, where he knocked out five opponents – including three higher-rated players – before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual winner Javokhir Sindarov. A dangerous underdog.
Jose Martinez Alcantara facing Faustino Oro at the WR Chess Marathon in Peru | Photo: ChessBase India / Amruta Mokal
Portraits of the participants in the 2026 Generations Challenge
GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, Switzerland
Born on 23 April 1984, in Perm (Russia)
Elo:
Classical: 2510 (10th in the women’s world ranking)
Rapid: 2431
Blitz: 2392
Who could better represent Switzerland? World Champion (2008–2010), winner of the Women’s World Cup 2021 and three-time Olympiad winner, she has one of the most impressive records in chess. Her experience in all formats of the triathlon will be an important factor against the younger competition. A player whose presence in the 2026 Generations Challenge carries particular weight.
Alexandra Kosteniuk at the Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess tournament 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
GM Vaishali Rameshbabu, India
Born on 21 June 2001, in Chennai
Elo:
Classical: 2496 (12th in the women’s world ranking)
Rapid: 2410
Blitz: 2364
Biel GMT: 2024 (3rd)
Biel MTO: 2021 (31st)
The Indian player will try to improve on her third place from 2024. As the only player to have won the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss twice (2023, 2025) and as the third Indian woman to earn the grandmaster title, she has just won the 2026 Candidates Tournament and will challenge World Champion Ju Wenjun in a match for the title. This experience could prove decisive at critical moments, particularly when handling pressure in tough situations.
Vaishali Rameshbabu won the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
IM Carissa Yip, USA
Born on 10 September 2003, in Boston
Elo:
Classical: 2458 (20th in the women’s world ranking)
Rapid: 2333
Blitz: 2369
Four-time US Women’s Champion and already a winner against a grandmaster at the age of ten. A two-time youth vice-world champion and a successful Olympiad participant in 2024. After strong recent results, particularly at Tata Steel India and in Wijk aan Zee, she travels to Biel in excellent form.
Carissa Yip can also be found behind the camera | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
GM Xiao Tong, China
Born on 20 November 2008, in Qingdao
Elo:
Classical: 2599 (17th in the U20 world ranking)
Rapid: 2452
Blitz: 2465
Biel MTO: 2024 (15th, 11th ex aequo)
Winner of the 2024 Biel Chess960 tournament and, shortly afterwards, a grandmaster – the fifth-youngest player from his country to achieve the title. Successful both in team events and individually, with achievements including gold at the 2023 U16 Olympiad as well as individual gold at the 2025 European Club Cup, he is also the reigning Chinese Champion and recently finished joint third in Reykjavik.
Xiao Tong at the Grenke Chess Open 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
IM Vaclav Finek, Czech Republic
Born on 16 January 2010, in Liberec
Elo:
Classical: 2593 (20th in the U20 world ranking)
Rapid: 2454
Blitz: 2504
The future Czech grandmaster recently dominated the Challengers tournament in Prague, where he secured his final GM norm. His list of achievements is already considerable: double gold (individual and team) at the 2025 Mitropa Cup, tournament victories in Pardubice 2024 and Teplice 2025, as well as the title of U14 European Champion in 2024.
Vaclav Finek won the Prague Challengers 2026 | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase
IM Marco Materia, France
Born on 24 March 2009, in Paris
Elo:
Classical: 2508 (48th in the U20 world ranking)
Rapid: 2491
Blitz: 2509
Biel MTO: 2022 (47th), 2023 (46th), 2024 (19th)
In his fourth appearance in Biel – and his first on the main stage – the former youth champion and U16 European Champion (2024) has repeatedly shown his strength in rapid and blitz chess. In 2024, he won the French adult titles, and at the 2025 World Blitz Championship he got to face Magnus Carlsen.
Marco Materia became French rapid champion in 2025 | Photo: Laurent Frydman, Kim and Philippe Tran / FFE, tournament website
Masters Tournament Open (MTO)
| Date | 13-23 July 2026 |
| System | Open tournament, for players rated 1900 Elo and above. 10 rounds, Swiss system. |
| Time control | 40 moves in 100 min, then 30 min for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move. |
| Tournament prizes | CHF 23,800 + non-cash prizes |
Among those registered for the Masters Tournament (MTO) are Shamsiddin Vokhidov (2655) from Uzbekistan and Christian Gloeckler (2506) from Germany (as of 2 July 2026).
Other tournaments
The London System is one of the most popular openings at every level of chess but not all Londons are the same. In this course, Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz presents the London System, a structured and ambitious approach based on the immediate Bf4, leading to rich and dynamic positions.
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: 5…cxd4 6.exd4 Qb6 sidelines
- General Tournament (ATO)
- Freestyle Chess Tournament [960] (FSC)
- Fast Standard Elo 1700+ (WT1)
- Fast Standard Elo 1699- (WT2)
- Rapid tournament (RAP)
- Blitz tournament (BTZ)
- Swiss Rapid Fischer Chess Championship (960)
- Problem-solving tournament (PLT)
- Vinetum Youth Tournament (JTO)
- Biel Hospital Centre Total Chess (TRI)
For more information about the various tournaments: Official tournament website.
Total Chess explained | Video: Biel Chess Festival