Bled is back on the global chess map – a successful first international festival with players from 13 countries and a rich programme. Returning in March 2027.
At Sava Hotels Bled in hotel Rikli Balance, we are proud to have hosted the First International Chess Festival, held from 9 to 15 March. The event successfully combined a high-level competition with a rich accompanying programme, bringing together 78 chess players from 13 countries and featuring a prize fund of €6,000. The festival was supported by ambassadors Laura Unuk and Markus Ragger, who joined players in analyses and social events, adding further value to the experience.
The festival once again placed Bled firmly on the international chess map, reviving a tradition that dates back nearly a century to the legendary 1931 tournament won by world champion Alexander Alekhine. Over the years, chess greats such as Bobby Fischer and Mikhail Tal have also competed here, while today Bled continues to strengthen its reputation through prestigious events such as the Chess Olympiad and the World Senior Championship. The festival will return to Sava Hotels Bled in March 2027.
