WIM Alena Mrvová: The Queen Masters’ Local Star from Skalica
A multiple Slovak champion and long-time international for the Skalica chess club. WIM Alena Mrvová (rated 2136) plays the closed women’s Queen Masters 2026 on home soil in Skalica.
GM Leon Luke Mendonca: India’s Prodigy Returns to Skalica After Six Years
In 2020 he won the Skalica Chess Festival as a 13-year-old boy. Today he is a grandmaster and a Tata Steel Challengers winner. At Chess Slovak Open® 2026, GM Leon Luke Mendonca returns home as a star of the closed Masters.
GM Anton Korobov Returns to Skalica – 2025 Freestyle Winner in the Masters Field
A four-time Ukrainian Champion, European Blitz Champion and winner of last year’s Freestyle event in Skalica. GM Anton Korobov (rated 2608) returns for the Chess Slovak Masters 2026.
GM Aditya Mittal – India’s Young Talent Joins the Skalica Field
A grandmaster at sixteen and one of the brightest talents of India’s young chess wave. GM Aditya Mittal (rated 2599) will play in the closed Chess Slovak Masters 2026 in Skalica.
GM David Navara – Czech Chess Legend Heads to Skalica
Czech No. 1 for nearly two decades, a 14-time Czech Champion and a grandmaster at sixteen. GM David Navara (rated 2639) will play in the closed Chess Slovak Masters 2026 in Skalica.
GM Alexander Donchenko – Germany’s No. 1 and World Cup Quarter-Finalist Heads to Skalica
Germany’s number one GM Alexander Donchenko is coming to Skalica – a 2025 FIDE World Cup quarter-finalist rated 2640. He will play in the closed Chess Slovak Masters 2026.
GM Daniel Dardha – Belgium’s No. 1 and European Vice-Champion Heads to Skalica
Chess Slovak Open® 2026 unveils another star of the closed Chess Slovak Masters tournament. Belgium’s number one, GM Daniel Dardha, is heading to Skalica – one of Europe’s most talented young grandmasters. The youngest grandmaster in Belgian history Daniel Dardha (born 1 October 2005 in Mortsel) earned the grandmaster title at just 15 – the…
Chess Slovak Open® 2026 supported by the FIDE Open Aid Project
The international chess festival in Skalica is among the open tournaments backed in 2026 by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) through its Open Aid Project. The support reinforces a record prize fund and guarantees higher rewards for women and veterans alike.
Skalica Chess Festival sets a record prize fund. Registration for Chess Slovak Open® is open
Registration for Slovakia’s most prestigious chess event has begun. The Skalica Chess Festival 2026, including the Chess Slovak Open® tournament under FIDE auspices, will take place from 22 to 30 August with a record prize fund of € 15,000.
CAISSA Čadca crowned Slovak champions – final triple round of the Extraliga in Šamorín
CAISSA Čadca won the Slovak TIPOS Chess Extraliga 2025/2026. Undefeated throughout the season in Šamorín, with team leader Jerguš Pecháč scoring 7.5 points. After 15 years, the Kysuce club reclaimed the title they first won in 2010/11.