The Slovak TIPOS Chess Extraliga 2025/2026 has its champion. The final triple round, played from 24 to 26 April 2026 at the x-bionic® sphere sports and leisure resort in Šamorín, was dominated by CAISSA Čadca. After 15 years they reclaimed the title they first lifted back in 2010/11.
A flawless run by the Kysuce side
Čadca went through the entire season unbeaten. Across eleven rounds they posted a record of 10 wins and 1 draw for 31 points. The only point dropped in the long-format competition came in round 8 against Liptovská šachová škola — otherwise nobody managed to stop them.
The title-winning lineup featured Jerguš Pecháč, Marián Jurčík, Martin Jurčík, Jozef Straka and Martin Zvarík. Top scorer was Jerguš Pecháč with 7.5 points and not a single defeat — a performance confirming his place at the very top of Slovak chess.
Final standings — top 3
- 1. CAISSA Čadca – 31 points (10-1-0)
- 2. ŠK K CERO INVEST Nitra – 30 points (10-0-1)
- 3. Šachy Reinter Humenné – 21 points (7-0-4)
The title was decided by the slimmest of margins. Runner-up Nitra dropped only one point all season — and ironically, it was their direct duel against Čadca that sealed who would step on the top of the podium.
Chess hosted at a top sports resort
The final triple round (rounds 9 to 11) brought all twelve clubs of Slovakia’s top division to Šamorín. The x-bionic® sphere venue offered modern facilities and a fitting climax to the season. Reigning champions ŠK Modra ended up 11th, underlining how competitive and unpredictable the Extraliga has become in recent seasons.
The Chess Slovak Open® connection
The newly crowned Extraliga champion Jerguš Pecháč is no stranger to our festival. At Chess Slovak Open® 2025 in Skalica he finished second in the OPEN 2000+ main event. His latest performance in the CAISSA Čadca shirt confirms once again that he belongs to the very top of Slovak chess — and we already look forward to welcoming him at the start of Chess Slovak Open® 2026 (22–30 August 2026, Skalica).
Congratulations to all CAISSA Čadca players and the club’s leadership, as well as to silver medallists Nitra and bronze medallists Humenné. Slovak club chess wraps up another excellent season.
Sources: chess.sk, teraz.sk, sportnet.sme.sk. Video: TV JOJ / noviny.joj.sk.