The 5th Blue Chevaliers International Open 2026 is officially underway. Round 1 has been played, and the tournament — one of Southeast Asia's most popular beachside chess opens — runs through 7–13 September 2026 at the Novotel Phuket Resort on Patong Beach, Thailand.
Tournament at a Glance
- Event: 5th Blue Chevaliers International Open 2026
- Dates: 7–13 September 2026
- Venue: Novotel Phuket Resort, Patong Beach (played in the resort's Siam Conference Centre)
- Format: 9-round Swiss, standard play at 90 minutes + 30-second increment per move, plus a separate blitz event
- Prize fund: Over US $13,000 — up 25% on last year
- Organizers: Blue Chevaliers, in partnership with Red Knight Chess Club
- Chief Arbiter: IA Ellie Emira Syamimi (MAS)
- Deputy Chief Arbiters: IA Chuah Jin Hai Jonathan (MAS), IA Wasinee (THA)
- Status: FIDE-registered international open, with live pairings and standings on Chess-Results
A Growing Fixture on the Regional Calendar
This is the fifth edition of an event that has quietly become a fixture on the Southeast Asian chess calendar. The Blue Chevaliers — a small, strictly non-profit group of foreign players active in the region — have run the open in Phuket every year, alongside their free newsletter "Tiger Chess!," which covers 90/30 tournaments across Thailand and Southeast Asia.
What started as a modest gathering has grown steadily: this year's prize fund jumped 25% over 2025, and the field is drawing a genuinely international mix. Indian players in particular have taken to the event — 18 traveled to Phuket for last year's edition, with an even larger contingent expected this September. French Grandmaster Fabien Libiszewski headlines the early entry list for 2026.
Run by a Malaysian-Led Arbiter Team
Behind the scenes, the tournament is being officiated by a Malaysian-led arbiter panel: Chief Arbiter IA Ellie Emira Syamimi, supported by Deputy Chief Arbiters IA Chuah Jin Hai Jonathan (also Malaysian) and IA Wasinee representing the host federation, Thailand. It's a nice detail for Malaysian chess followers — a home-grown arbiter team overseeing an international FIDE open just across the border.
Why the Venue Matters
Unlike the typical city-hotel open, the Blue Chevaliers is a beach resort tournament. Games are played in the Novotel's Siam Conference Centre, but players staying at the resort (or nearby) get a 15% discount on spa, food, and non-alcoholic drinks for the week — turning the event into as much a chess holiday as a competition. That combination of serious FIDE-rated play and a Patong Beach backdrop is a big part of the tournament's appeal, and it's helped the event build a loyal following of travelling players and families.
Format Notes for Followers
- Nine rounds are well spaced into seven playing days.
- Players may request up to two half-point byes, for any of rounds 2–7.
- The closing ceremony is scheduled for 3:00 PM on 13 September, and prize winners must be present to collect — absent winners forfeit their prize.
What to Watch as the Week Unfolds
With Round 1 in the books, the standings are still wide open. A few threads worth following as the rounds progress:
- How many top seeds — including GM Fabien Libiszewski — hold perfect scores as they start meeting each other in the middle rounds.
- Whether a Thai, Malaysian, or Indian junior emerges as a surprise leader. In an open field this size, upsets in the early-middle rounds are common.
- The tiebreak battle that typically decides places just below the top, given the crowded Swiss field.
We'll be following the pairings and crosstable on Chess-Results as the week progresses, with full coverage of the games here on catur.org.
Live pairings and standings: Chess-Results
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