Zanas Nainys clear first at Bled Chess Festival 2026

by Shahid Ahmed - 15/04/2026

FM Zanas Nainys (LTU) scored 7.5/9 to win Bled Chess Festival Under-2300 Rating Tournament 2026. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. 12-year-old Leonard Belyaletdinov (SLO) scored 7/9 to secure second place. IM Leon Mazi (SLO), FM Adam Dorrance (CAN) and FM Miha Furlan (SLO) scored 6.5/9 each. They were placed third, fourth and fifth according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was €6000. The top three prizes were €1000, €700 and €400 each. Next year the festival will take place from 8th to 14th March 2027. Check out a huge report of the tournament and see if you cannot afford to miss the next edition. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

A festival in a serene atmosphere, surrounded by lovely people

At the beginning of the festival, someone asked me which is the best tournament you have attended/covered, my answer was Prague International Chess Festival and I also mentioned that at the end of this festival (Bled Chess Festival), it might change. Both are indubitably my favorite events. This one is in the beautiful cradle of nature. The tournament hall was arguably the best hall I have ever seen in a chess tournament. My thoughts was resonated by many chess players participating in the event as the hall overlooked the Lake Bled and Bled Castle. The Best Amateur Chess Tournament in the world is not just a tagline. The words are true. If you have missed this edition, you should make it a point to attend the next one which is announced to take place from 8th to 14th March 2027.

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd Leonard Belyaletdinov (SLO) 7/9, 1st FM Zanas Nainys (LTU) 7.5/9 and 3rd IM Leon Mazi (SLO) 6.5/9 flanked by the tournament ambassadors IM Laura Unuk (SLO, left) and GM Markus Ragger (AUT, right)

Interview with FM Zanas Nainys

The seventh round win against FM Adam Dorrance (CAN) is the game that he enjoyed the most as he did not blunder and played very cleanly.

FM Zanas Nainys (LTU) en route his final round victory against Ismail Cinar Keloglu (TUR) to become a clear champion

8th overall and Best Woman - Dr. WIM Teja Vidic (SLO) 6/9

Interview with Dr. WIM Teja Vidic (SLO)

GM Luka Lenic, Slovenia no.2 and President of Tajfun ŠK Ljubljana, made the inaugural first move on the first board in presence of the tournament ambassadors - GM Markus Ragger (AUT) and IM Laura Unuk (SLO)

Simul with IM Laura Unuk

Laura Unuk won Bled Chess Festival 2026 Simul 9.5-0.5. National Under-12 runner-up, 10-year-old Edvard Kaloh (SLO) was the sole player to hold draw against the top Slovenia woman. Laura analysed with her opponent at the end of the game and showed how he could have pushed for a win. It is indeed a special game and moment for the talented boy.

Simul with IM Laura Unuk

Slovenia no.1 woman takes on 10-year-old in Simul - IM Laura Unuk v Edvard Kaloh

Edvard Kaloh was the sole player to draw against IM Laura Unuk in the simul

9-year-old faces Slovenia #1 Woman in a Simul - IM Laura Unuk vs Marino Stefan

Surprise session with a GM

GM Luka Lenič, President, Tajfun ŠK Ljubljana, held a surprise session with a GM. The topic was Time Management.

Time Management with GM Luka Lenič

Simul with VIP

After playing a ten-player Simul, IM Laura Unuk played another Simultaneous exhibition against VIPs - sponsors, guests, federation office bearers, Ambassador of India to Slovenia and various dignitaries took part in the simul.

Highlights of VIP Simul

Max Warmerdam perfect at Evening Blitz Rating Open

GM Max Warmerdam (NED, 2557) attended the first few days of the Bled Chess Festival. He played the Evening Blitz Rating Open and won it with a perfect 9/9.

L to R: 2nd FM Zanas Nainys (LTU) 8/9, 3rd FM Maksym Goroshkov (SLO) 6/9, 8th and Best Senior Dick De Graaf (NED) 5/9, 1st GM Max Warmerdam (NED) 9/9, 6th and Best Female IM Laura Unuk (SLO) 5/9 and 4th Ismail Cinar Keloglu (TUR) 6/9

Interview with Max Warmerdam

1.Nc3 against GM Max Warmerdam!?

The second round battle between Ivo Podrzaj and Max Warmerdam drew a lot of audience. Watch the video above to see what happened in the game

The pairings were displayed on a giant screen via projector and games were also shown live as all boards were DGT boards

Did you Lose on Time? Alain Dekker vs Alkan Suicmez

IM Laura Unuk vs GM Max Warmerdam, Round 4

Maksym Goroshkov prevails at Chess960 National Championship

FM Maksym Goroshkov (SLO) scored an unbeaten 6/7 to win Chess960 National Championship. Leonard Belyaletdinov (SLO), GM Luka Lenič (SLO) and Mate Todashvili (GEO) scored 5.5/7 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively.

L to R: 6th Bor Zuzek (SLO) 4.5/7, 8th FM Bogdan Bozinovic (CRO) 4/7, 5th WCM Anja Beber (SLO) 5/7, 2nd Leonard Belyaletdinov (SLO) 5.5/7, 1st Maksym Goroshkov (SLO) 6/7 and 3rd GM Luka Lenič (SLO)

How did I lose that pawn? GM Luka Lenič v FM Maksym Goroshkov

Interview with FM Maksym Goroshkov

Interview with Anja Beber

2nd Dr. Janez Barle Memorial Blitz Rating Open 2026

FM Adam Dorrance (CAN) scored 7.5/9 to win 2nd Dr. Janez Barle Memorial Blitz Rating Open 2026. FM Zanas Nainys (LTU) and the top seed of the tournament scored 7/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively.

Champion - FM Adam Dorrance (CAN) 7.5/9

Interview with FM Adam Dorrance (CAN)

L to R: 3rd GM Markus Ragger (AUT) 7/9, 6th Adam Mihic (SLO) 6/9, 8th IM Laura Unuk (SLO) 5.5/9, 23rd Darja Saradjen (SLO) 4/9, 1st FM Adam Dorrance (CAN) 7.5/9, 2nd FM Zanas Nainys (LTU) 7/9 and 13th Dick De Graaf (NED) 5/9

Photo Gallery

The organizers gave a wooden souvenir which was handcrafted by WGM FT IA IO Ana Srebrnič's father, Vojko Srebrnič. It was given to all players and me. Not only it looked beautiful as you can see but I also must mention something which cannot be felt through photographs is, it smelled very nice too. It had the smell of freshly cut wood.

Both sides of the wooden souvenir

The organizers gave a coupon to redeem one complimentary Original Bled Cream Cake at any of the three restaurants - Aperitif bar Rikli Balance Hotel, Aperitif bar Park Hotel and Kavarna Park. As recommended, I redeemed it on an afternoon at Kavarna Park. I must tell you that the photograph does not do enough justice to it. It looks amazing and tastes magnificent. It goes without saying that when you visit, Bled, this cream cake is a must try.

The famous Bled Cream Cake

Various prize winners got a bag tag and a beanie cap. I was given one of each too.

Beautiful bag tag and beanie

View from the top of the tournament hall at Rikli Balance Hotel in Bled, Slovenia

The tournament hall view from the floor

Anyone who attended the tournament will attest to the fact that the tournament had the most scenic background for in any chess tournament one has ever witnessed or experienced

The top five boards had tvs installed which was displaying the games and in the background you can see Bled Castle

Video Gallery

Opening ceremony

The endgame that GMs want to analyze - Adam Mihič vs Bor Žužek, Round 1

This Georgian watches ChessBase India videos every day - Mate Todashvili

This Exceptionally Talented Kaloh siblings can tell you the Pi (π) digits - Edvard and Frida

The first Austrian GM to cross 2600 and 2700 - Markus Ragger

Minor Piece Endgame with an Abrupt Finish - GM Max Warmerdam vs FM Zanas Nainys

I am just happy to give back to the chess community - Slovenia no.2, GM Luka Lenič

Laura Unuk invites you to Bled Chess Festival 2027

This man knows about 200 different board games - Alain Dekker

I feel I am the part of this very big chess family - WGM Darja Kapš

Bled Collector's Days - 13th March

This WGM is an International Arbiter, Organizer and FIDE Trainer - Ana Srebrnič

Triveni Continental Kings in Slovenia? Edwin Rutte v IM Laura Unuk

Ford Slovenia ambassador shows her Chess Car Ford Puma - IM Laura Unuk

This Chess Enthusiast was the main sponsor of a top Dutch Chess Team - Edwin Rutte

Dutch against a Dutch!? GM Max Warmerdam vs Alain Dekker

Venue tour and a lot more games will be published over time. Keep checking this playlist for more videos.

Overall, 'I feel Love' is not just a tagline, the people are really very nice. You will feel loved and welcomed in this beautiful city and country. It is indubitably the best place I have ever been when it comes to natural beauty. After all, you do not get to see Lake, Castle and a Mountain range from the playing hall every day. If you are a fan of Alan Wake like me, the area surrounding Lake Bled will give you a nice vibe and remind you of Bright Falls.

Replay all available Classical games

Replay all available Evening Blitz games

Replay all available Chess960 games

Replay all available Dr. Janez Barle Memorial Blitz games

Round 9 results

Bo.		White	Rtg	Pts.	Result	Pts.		Black	Rtg	PGN
1	IM	Mazi, Leon	2280	6½	0 - 1	6		Belyaletdinov, Leonard	2119	PGN
2		Keloglu, Ismail Cinar	2083	5½	0 - 1	6½	FM	Nainys, Zanas	2286	PGN
3		Krstić, David	2158	5½	0 - 1	5½	FM	Dorrance, Adam	2288	PGN
4	IM	Biti, Ozren	2267	5½	½ - ½	5½		Mestek, Igor	2013	PGN
5	FM	Furlan, Miha	2239	5½	1 - 0	5½	FM	Božinovič, Bogdan	2080	PGN
6	IM	Praznik, Niko	2294	5	0 - 1	5		De Graaf, Dick	2126	PGN
7		Todashvili, Mate	1930	5	½ - ½	5		Keber, Aljoša	2140	PGN
8	WIM	Vidic, Teja	2106	5	1 - 0	5		Demšar, Maks	2074	PGN
9		Sibincic, Nikola	1988	5	½ - ½	4½	IM	Vujakovic, Branko	2219	PGN
10	FM	Praznik, Anton	1973	4½	½ - ½	4½		Kovačič, Peter	2138	PGN

Details

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	Typ	sex	FED	RtgI	Club/City	Pts.	TB2	TB3
1	3	FM	Nainys, Zanas	U18		LTU	2286		7,5	47	9
2	12		Belyaletdinov, Leonard	U14		SLO	2119	Tajfun - Šk Ljubljana	7	44	9
3	4	IM	Mazi, Leon	S65		SLO	2280	Društvo Tomo Zupan	6,5	48,5	9
4	2	FM	Dorrance, Adam			CAN	2288		6,5	42	9
5	6	FM	Furlan, Miha	S50		SLO	2239	Šk Trebnje Bmp	6,5	41,5	8
6	5	IM	Biti, Ozren			CRO	2267	Šd Posočje	6	46	9
7	25		Mestek, Igor	S50		SLO	2013	Šd Kočevje	6	40,5	8
8	13	WIM	Vidic, Teja		w	SLO	2106	TAJFUN - ŠK Ljubljana	6	40	7
9	11		De Graaf, Dick	S50		NED	2126		6	39	9
10	8		Krstić, David	U14		SLO	2158	Tajfun - Šk Ljubljana	5,5	47	9