Biel, Switzerland – The 2025 Biel Chess Festival is now in full swing, presenting a fascinating contrast as one major tournament begins while another pauses for breath. Monday marked the official start of the highly anticipated **Master Tournament (MTO)**, drawing a significant international crowd, even as the elite players in the Grandmaster Triathlon (GMT) enjoyed a well-deserved rest day.
A Global Gathering in the Master Open
The Biel Congress Centre is buzzing with the arrival of **112 determined chess players** from across the globe for the MTO. This open event is a vibrant mix of chess generations and experience levels. Among the participants are seasoned **Grandmasters** vying for victory, alongside a large contingent of ambitious **young talents** eager to make their mark and perhaps score an upset against their higher-rated counterparts.
The first round of the ten-round tournament saw many of the top seeds navigate their initial challenges successfully, securing full points. However, demonstrating the depth of the field, a couple of Grandmasters were held to draws, a clear indication that easy games are a rarity here. The tournament features players from **27 different nations**, highlighting Biel`s status as a key international chess destination.
Naturally, Switzerland has the largest representation with 32 players, followed closely by Germany (15), India (13), and the USA (10). The top of the seeding list is led by Indian **GM Karthikeyan Murali** (Elo 2650), with GM Benjamin Bok (NED, Elo 2593) and GM Pranesh M (IND, Elo 2592) close behind. The strongest Swiss participant, IM Fabian Bänziger (Elo 2450), holds the 11th seed position, carrying local hopes.
Grandmasters Trade Chessboards for Escape Rooms
Meanwhile, the participants of the Grandmaster Triathlon, having completed the rapid and blitz portions, took their first rest day. The organizers, as is tradition, arranged a unique activity to keep their minds sharp away from the competitive pressure. This year, the challenge involved tackling an **escape room**. Grandmasters were tasked with solving puzzles themed around scenarios like escaping Alcatraz, summoning Aladdin`s ghost, or breaking free from a school of magic.
Happily for the festival`s schedule (and perhaps their egos), all Grandmasters proved just as adept at escaping locked rooms as they are at escaping difficult positions on the board. Their successful breakout ensures that the Grandmaster Triathlon can seamlessly transition into its crucial classical games section tomorrow, promising intense strategic battles.
Two Sides of the Festival
The start of the MTO alongside the GMT rest day perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Biel Chess Festival – a premier event that caters to both the absolute elite and a wide field of strong international players. It`s a place where future stars emerge and established masters test their mettle. With the Master Open now officially underway and the Grandmaster Triathlon poised to enter its classical phase, the coming days in Biel are set to be packed with high-quality chess and compelling narratives.
