Chess returned in style.
The 2026 edition marked a successful return of chess to Bled,
bringing together players from 22 countries for nine rounds
of competitive play in one of Europe’s most beautiful destinations.
2026 at a glance
Open Bled winners
The 2026 Podium
After nine competitive rounds, the title went to
FM Zanas Nainys from Lithuania, followed by
Leonard Belyaletdinov and IM Leon Mazi of Slovenia.
More than just a tournament
The festival experience extended far beyond the main tournament. Alongside competitive chess, participants enjoyed special chess events, Grandmaster evenings, social gatherings and opportunities to experience Bled together. From walks around Lake Bled and culinary experiences to simultaneous exhibitions, spa and wellness activities and time spent with Grandmasters, the festival brought together chess, travel and shared experiences in a truly unique setting.
The programme also included a chess psychology seminar, visits to Bled Castle, activities for accompanying persons and additional opportunities for players to spend time together away from the tournament hall.
People behind the festival
Festival Ambassadors & Project director
A special part of the 2026 festival experience was shaped by
IM/WGM Laura Unuk in GM Markus Ragger, the ambassadors of the Bled Chess Festival, together with Luka Lenič, project director of the 2026 edition.
Their presence brought participants closer to top-level chess through simultaneous exhibitions, special events, conversations and shared experiences.
Laura Unuk and Markus Ragger will return as festival ambassadors in 2027.
Voices from Bled
What players said
Beyond the results, it was the atmosphere, the people and the experience
of spending a week in Bled that made the festival memorable.
Player photo
“Player impression from the 2026 festival will be added here.”
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“Player impression from the 2026 festival will be added here.”
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“Player impression from the 2026 festival will be added here.”
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Jubilee International Tournament, 1961 · Bobby Fischer and Mikhail Tal
From 1931 to today
A Timeline of Chess in Bled
International Tournament
Bled hosts a legendary international tournament won by
World Champion Alexander Alekhine.
Candidates Tournament
Bled becomes one of the host locations of the celebrated
Candidates Tournament.
Jubilee International Tournament
Mikhail Tal triumphs while a young Bobby Fischer leaves
a lasting impression.
Bled redno gosti močne odprte turnirje in ekipna tekmovanja
Bled regularly hosts strong open tournaments and team
competitions, preserving its place on the chess map.
35th Chess Olympiad
The chess world gathers in Bled for one of the game’s
largest international events.
Obisk legendarne Judit Polgar
The Bled Chess Festival is opened by Judit Polgar,
widely regarded as the strongest female chess player in history.
World Senior Championship
Another major international championship adds to
Bled’s long and distinguished chess tradition.
Bled Chess Festival Returns
78 players from 22 countries come together as a new
chapter of Bled’s chess story begins.
Scroll through Bled’s chess history →
The story continues
Looking Ahead
The successful 2026 edition was only the beginning.
Bled Chess Festival has ambitious plans for the years ahead:
to grow its international community, enrich the experience both on and off
the board, attract players from around the world and establish Bled as one
of Europe’s distinctive destinations for chess festivals.
