Wijk aan Zee, 17 January 2026 – This afternoon, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2026 was officially opened in a fully packed De Moriaan community hall. The start of the tournament was delayed due to actions by protesters. The 88th edition of the world famous chess event was inaugurated by Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel Nederland, together with tournament director Jeroen van den Berg.
The Tata Steel Chess Tournament – known worldwide as the ‘Wimbledon of chess’ – each year attracts the world’s top grandmasters, emerging talents, hundreds of amateur players and thousands of visitors to the coastal village Wijk aan Zee. The tournament boasts a rich history dating back to 1938 and has evolved from an internal company competition (formerly Hoogovens) into an international toptier sporting event. Over the decades, legendary players such as Viswanathan Anand, Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, and Magnus Carlsen — who won multiple titles here — played chess in De Moriaan, as well as illustrious names from earlier times, including Max Euwe, Mikhail Botvinnik, Mikhail Tal, and Boris Spassky in Beverwijk.
Battle commences
This year, 28 top players are participating: 14 in the Masters group and 14 in the Challengers group. Immediately after the gong, all participating International masters and Grand masters took their seats at the boards for their first game, marking the official start of the battle for the prestigious titles. The Masters group features an average age of just 23 years – making it the youngest edition ever. The Challengers tournament includes no fewer than four women competing for the title, among them the Dutch player Eline Roebers, who made history earlier this year by becoming the first Dutch woman to win the European Blitz Chess Championship.
Important role of the local community
During the opening, Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel Nederland, emphasized the unique character of the tournament: “The Tata Steel Chess Tournament brings creativity, strategic thinking and innovation together – values that are central both in chess and in our organisation.”
He also highlighted the important role of the local community and the unique atmosphere that the event creates each year in Wijk aan Zee.
Extensive program rich in tradition
The event is distinguished by the combination of grandmasters and amateurs playing under one roof, a tradition symbolizing connection and accessibility within the chess world. In addition to the matches in De Moriaan, the tournament once again offers an extensive program for the local community, including the annual Tata Steel Chess Festival for families and children.
The games can be followed live in De Moriaan and online worldwide. More information is available at tatasteelchess.com.
Photos: Tata Steel Chess Tournament