From Norway to North Africa: Johan-Sebastian wins inaugural Sahel Chess Festival in Tunisia
Norwegian GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen emerged victorious at the inaugural Sahel Chess Festival, held in Monastir, Tunisia, from September 1–9, 2025. The event attracted 263 players from 11 federations. The tournament was hosted at the 4-star Amir Palace Hotel, a seaside resort that provided ideal professional chess conditions alongside a relaxing holiday atmosphere for players and their families. Christiansen, Norway’s second-highest-rated player, delivered a dominant performance, winning both the Open A and Blitz tournaments with a commanding 8.5/9 score. His only draw in the main event was against Algeria’s reigning champion, Boulmes Ala Eddine, who ultimately secured fourth place and achieved a Candidate Master (CM) norm. The festival featured four sections: Open A for players rated 2000+, Open B (1700-2000), Open C (under 1700), and a unique Open D for seniors aged 55 and over—a rare inclusion in open tournaments. Standout Local PerformancesThe event highlighted the potential of local talent, with several Tunisian players delivering impressive results: Bilel Ben Hamida, 13, won the C Open with 8.5/9, gaining 184 rating points. Sadok Zenaidi (pictured below), the 20th seed in Open A, scored 5/9, climbed to 7th place, earned 38 Elo points, and broke the 2000-rating barrier. These impressive results underscore how African players can significantly benefit from international competitions held on their home turf. It is widely recognized that players from the region are often underrated. They are eager for international events to test their skills, improve their ratings, and, for many, gain an official FIDE rating. In this context, festivals like the Sahel are of great importance. A remarkable number of young players, including many girls, entered the tournament unrated and earned their first FIDE rating—an opportunity unavailable if they only compete domestically. WFM Amen Miladi (pictured above), a member of the national women’s team, was the top female performer in the B Open. While most participants were Tunisians traveling from across the country, the festival also drew strong regional interest. Twenty players arrived from Libya, and the Algerian Chess Federation organized a bus bringing over 70 players and arbiters (pictured below), led by Federation Secretary Mrs. Karima Belkhedra. Tunisia’s leading players, including GM Amir Zaibi (the country’s only Grandmaster), IM Achraf Hbacha, FM Hamed Ben Ghanem, and CMs Ahmed Bouzidi, Yacine Barbaria, and Sahbi Taieb, were also among the participants. The international field was bolstered by IM Aleksandr Domalchuk-Jonasson, who traveled from Iceland to place second in both the Open and Blitz tournaments. The festival also included a FIDE Arbiters Seminar from September 3–5, allowing participants to earn norms and titles in accordance with official regulations. The seminar was led by lecturer IA Adnan Nesla (ALG), assisted by IA Mohamed Ali Baktach (TUN). The organizational core of the festival consisted of two dynamic local establishments: Chess Mall, a high-quality chess equipment boutique, and the Smart Chess Academy, a rapidly growing training center in Sousse. This partnership will continue, as they are already scheduled to organize the 2nd Sahel Chess Festival from September 3–10, 2026, with Sousse expected to be the next host city. Johan-Sebastian Christiansen Hassen Abdelali As the official sponsor, Chess Mall—with additional support from local and international backers—provided crucial support. The festival has the potential to grow into a significant event that promotes chess while showcasing the beauty and culture of the Sahel region. The 1st Sahel Chess Festival marked a significant step for international chess in North Africa. Its successful debut positions it as a major new event on the African chess calendar, offering vital opportunities to underrated regional players and drawing well-deserved attention to Tunisia’s vibrant chess scene. Sahel Chess Festival full results