Chess Slovak Open® 2026 unveils another star of the closed Chess Slovak Masters tournament. GM Anton Korobov is returning to Skalica – an experienced Ukrainian grandmaster who already knows the town well.
A return to Skalica
Korobov is no newcomer to Skalica. In 2025 he won the Freestyle (Chess960) event here, and he now returns to Záhorie to test himself in the strongest field ever assembled in Slovakia. His form is excellent – he recently won the Marienbad Open 2026 with 7.5 points out of 9.
A four-time Ukrainian Champion
Anton Korobov (born 25 June 1985 in Kharkiv) earned the grandmaster title in 2003 and became a four-time Ukrainian Champion (2002, 2012, 2018, 2020). In 2012 he was voted Ukraine’s best player of the year. He added the European Blitz Championship title (2013), an individual gold at the World Team Championship (2013) and an individual gold at the 2018 Chess Olympiad. His peak rating reached 2723 (2014), placing him 25th in the world; his current rating is 2608.
An elite field in Skalica
Korobov will compete in the closed Chess Slovak Masters 2026 alongside other world-class grandmasters – the organisers are aiming for the strongest average ELO in the event’s history, above 2600. The Chess Slovak Open® 2026 festival takes place 22–30 August 2026 at the House of Culture in Skalica.
We look forward to welcoming this seasoned grandmaster back to Záhorie!