Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2026 officially underway in Wijk aan Zee
This afternoon, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2026 officially got underway in a fully packed playing hall in Wijk aan Zee. With the sounding of the opening gong, the 88th edition of one of the world’s most prestigious chess tournaments has begun.
Opening ceremony Tata Steel Chess Tournament
The tournament was inaugurated by Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel Nederland, together with tournament director Jeroen van den Berg.
Immediately after the ceremony, all participating grandmasters took their seats at the boards, marking the start of the competition in both the Tata Steel Masters and Tata Steel Challengers.
A tournament with a rich legacy
Known worldwide as the “Wimbledon of chess”, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament has been a cornerstone of the international chess calendar since 1938. What began as an internal company competition has grown into a global top-tier sporting event, attracting the world’s leading grandmasters, emerging talents, hundreds of amateur players and thousands of visitors each year.
Over the decades, legendary players such as Viswanathan Anand, Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov and Magnus Carlsen have competed in Wijk aan Zee, as well as icons from earlier generations including Max Euwe, Mikhail Botvinnik, Mikhail Tal and Boris Spassky.
The battle begins: Masters and Challengers
This year’s tournament features 28 top players:
- 14 players in the Tata Steel Masters
- 14 players in the Tata Steel Challengers
With an average age of just 23 years, the Masters group is the youngest in the tournament’s history. The Challengers tournament includes four women, among them Dutch player Eline Roebers, who earlier this year became the first Dutch woman to win the European Blitz Chess Championship.
A tournament rooted in the local community
During the opening ceremony, Hans van den Berg highlighted the unique character of the event and its strong connection with Wijk aan Zee. The Tata Steel Chess Tournament is renowned for bringing together world-class grandmasters and amateur players under one roof, creating a unique atmosphere of accessibility and shared passion for chess.
Alongside the games in De Moriaan, the tournament once again offers an extensive event program for visitors and the local community, including events for families and children.
Follow the tournament live
The games can be followed live in De Moriaan, Wijk aan Zee and online worldwide via the official Tata Steel Chess channels.
- Get your free tickets to visit the tournament
- Join the live commentary in Café de Zon
- Watch the live broadcast online
