The Bled Chess Festival in Slovenia continues a nearly century-long legacy of international chess events in the scenic spa town. Organized by the Ljubljana Chess Club, the current tournament features an open Swiss event alongside blitz, rapid games, and cultural activities. After four rounds, IM Leon Mazi leads with 3.5 points.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Bled in northwestern Slovenia, the town has long been a hub for chess enthusiasts, blending Alpine landscapes with historic architecture. The festival, held at the Rikli Balance Hotel's conference area, draws players from various countries and emphasizes a welcoming atmosphere, as reflected in its slogan: 'The best Amateur Chess Tournament in the World. Where you will be treated like a Grandmaster.'
Chess tournaments in Bled began in 1931, organized by Slovenian grandmaster Milan Vidmar. That event saw fourteen top masters compete, with World Champion Alexander Alekhine emerging victorious without a loss, followed by Salo Flohr and Efim Bogoljubov. Subsequent decades brought more prestigious gatherings, including the 1961 tournament won by Mikhail Tal, which featured a young Bobby Fischer among the participants. The modern highlight was the 2002 Chess Olympiad, attracting over 1,600 players from more than 130 nations.
The ongoing festival revives this heritage through a nine-round Swiss-system open tournament, limited to players rated up to 2300 Elo. The time control is 75 minutes plus 15 minutes after move 40, with a 30-second increment from the first move; participants can take up to three byes, each worth half a point. A €6,000 prize fund is available, with €1,000 for the winner and categories for women, seniors, juniors, and rating groups. Additional events include blitz and rapid tournaments, grandmaster simultaneous exhibitions, and regional cultural programs.
Organized by the Ljubljana Chess Club with local partners, the event involves experienced figures such as Markus Ragger, Laura Unuk, Darja Kaps, Ana Srebrnic, and Luka Lenic. As of after four rounds, Slovenian IM Leon Mazi holds the lead at 3.5/4 points, matched by Bosnia and Herzegovina's Petar Gazic, who started at seed 41 and scored 2.5 points against higher-rated opponents in rounds two through four. Nine players trail with three points each. In round five, both leaders will play black against opponents on three points.
