Exciting start at the Biel Chess Festival 2025
The 58th Biel International Chess Festival began today in Biel with the rapid chess discipline of the Grandmaster Triathlon (GMT). As expected, the two favorites Vladimir Fedoseev and Aravindh Chithambaram have taken an early lead in the Masters tournament, showing dominance across five games.
Meanwhile, Radoslaw Wojtaszek, the 2020 Biel winner, trails closely behind. In the Challengers section, Nikolas Theodorou leads the table after a strong performance, remaining undefeated, as did his nearest rival, Aram Hakobyan.
Chess960: Radoslaw Wojtaszek wins Accentus Chess960 Masters in Biel
Rapid: Biel Chess 2025 – Masters rapid / Biel Chess 2025 – Challengers rapid
Calendar: Top Events / Chess Calendar
Starting Monday: Master Tournament (MTO): For players rated over 1900, 10 rounds until 24 July ; FSC Free Style Chess Tournament (Chess960): 7 rounds over 7 mornings
Starting Tuesday: Amateur Tournament (ATO): For players rated under 2000 Elo, 9 rounds.
GMT-Masters: Fedoseev and Aravindh Lead After Rapid Chess
After the first triathlon discipline—rapid chess—GM Vladimir Fedoseev and GM Aravindh Chithambaram are tied at the top. They drew in their direct encounter. While Aravindh remained undefeated in all five games, Fedoseev lost one game to Wojtaszek but won the other three.
Radoslaw Wojtaszek follows closely in third, with Volodar Murzin trailing further behind. A crucial classical round—worth four points—will follow tomorrow’s rest day, where Fedoseev and Aravindh will once again face off.
GMT-Masters: Interim Standings
| Rank | Name | Games | Classical | Rapid | Blitz | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM Vladimir FEDOSEEV | 5 | – | 7 | – | 7 |
| 2 | GM ARAVINDH Chithambaram | 5 | – | 7 | – | 7 |
| 3 | GM Radoslaw WOJTASZEK | 5 | – | 6 | – | 6 |
| 4 | GM Volodar MURZIN | 5 | – | 5 | – | 5 |
| 5 | GM Frederik SVANE | 5 | – | 3 | – | 3 |
| 6 | GM Saleh SALEM | 5 | – | 2 | – | 2 |
GMT-Challengers: Theodorou from Flop to Top
After finishing last in the ACCENTUS Chess960 Rapid yesterday, Nikolas Theodorou bounced back spectacularly. Undefeated in today’s five games under standard rapid rules, he defeated Dardha, Jumabayev, and Navara.
Aram Hakobyan is one point behind, also undefeated, but with one additional draw compared to Theodorou.
GMT-Challengers: Interim Standings
| Rank | Name | Games | Classical | Rapid | Blitz | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM Nikolas THEODOROU | 5 | – | 8 | – | 8 |
| 2 | GM Aram HAKOBYAN | 5 | – | 7 | – | 7 |
| 3 | GM MA Qun | 5 | – | 5 | – | 5 |
| 4 | GM Rinat JUMABAYEV | 5 | – | 4 | – | 4 |
| 5 | GM Daniel DARDHA | 5 | – | 4 | – | 4 |
| 6 | GM David NAVARA | 5 | – | 2 | – | 2 |
Benjamin Bok Wins Biel Open Rapid Tournament
On Sunday, GM Benjamin Bok triumphed in the Open Rapid One-Day Tournament at the Biel Congress Centre. The Dutch grandmaster emerged undefeated, scoring 8 out of 9 points, ahead of GM Mikhail Kobalia and Chen Yuan.
Final Standings (Top 5):
- 1. GM Benjamin Bok 8 pts
- 2. GM Mikhail Kobalia 7½ pts
- 3. Chen Yuan 7½ pts
- 4. GM Mustafa Yilmaz 7½ pts
- 5. IM Banh Gia Huy 7½ pts
Retrospective: Opening Day Highlights
The Festival kicked off on Saturday, inaugurated by OC President Peter Bohnenblust. The opening events were all played in Fischer Random (Chess960) format.
- Accentus Chess960 Masters: Winner – GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek
- Chess960 Challengers: Winner – GM Rinat Jumabayev
- Swiss Rapid Fischer Chess Championship: New Swiss Champion – Kaspar Kappeler