Nubairshah Shaikh dominates Biel Chess Festival 2026 WT1, Arun Manukonda second
IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh scored an unbeaten to win Biel Chess Festival 2026 Fast Standard (>1700) WT1 Rating.
Indians convincingly claim the top two
The top seed of the event, IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh was the sole leader 7.5/8, going into the last round. Arun Manukonda was the only pursuer at 7/8. Vlad Popescu (SUI) lost to Nubairshah and the latter became a clear champion. Arun defeated Arthur Delesenne (BEL) to secure second place. Alexan Floure (SUI) defeated Aleksandar Krstic (SUI) to finish third.
The total prize fund was CHF 950 + non-cash prizes. The top three prizes were CHF 400, 300 and 250.

Champion – IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh 8.5/9 | Photo: Biel Chess Festival 2026

Runner-up – Arun Manukonda 8/9 | Photo: Biel Chess Festival 2026


Top 3 (L to R): 2nd Arun Manukonda 8/9, 1st IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh 8.5/9 and 3rd Alexan Floure (SUI) 6.5/9 | Photo: Biel Chess Festival 2026

IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh in action | Photo: Biel Chess Festival 2026

IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh scored an unbeaten 8.5/9, finished a half point ahead of the rest and gained 3.6 Elo rating points
A total of 50 players including two IMs took part from 12 countries across the world. The five-day nine-round Above 1700 Rating Open tournament was organized by Biel Chess Festival at Concert Hall, Biel Congress Center in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland from 20th to 24th July 2026. The time control of the tournament was 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
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