Friday, February 27, the opening ceremony of the 21st International Chess Festival "Aeroflot Open 2026" took place in the Central Chess Club named after Mikhail Botvinnik in Moscow.
Pianist Ivan Bessonov, the first Russian winner of the Eurovision Musicians competition and first‑prize laureate of the Sergei Rachmaninov International Competition, performed masterpieces of the world classical repertoire.
The guests and participants were welcomed Andrey Chikhanchin, First Deputy CEO for Commerce and Finance of Aeroflot, Anatoly Karpov, many-time world champion, State Duma deputy, and Honorary President of the Chess Federation of Russia, Andrey Filatov, President of the Chess Federation of Russia, and Alexander Tkachev, Executive Director of the Chess Federation of Russia.
The photo album "Aeroflot Open — 20 Years. A runway into the sky of world chess" was presented at the opening ceremony created by the Chess Federation of Russia with the support of Aeroflot.
The drawing of lots was conducted by Chief Arbiter IA Vladimir Staratorzhskiy. Just like a year ago, it was held in the format of the Armageddon game between GMs Andrey Esipenko and Evgeniy Najer.
The duel ended in victory of Andrey Esipenko, who had the white pieces. He declared the colour for the tournament's rating favorite as black. It means that the participants with odd numbers will play in Round one as Black.
The drawing of lots procedure was followed by the national anthem of the Russian Federation.
Round one of the "Aeroflot Open 2026" will be held on Saturday, 28 February. The games start at 5 PM (Moscow time).
The competition will be held at The Carlton, Moscow.
The Aeroflot Open International Chess Tournament is organised by the Chess Federation of Russia and the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation with the support of Aeroflot. The media partner of the tournament is a social network Odnoklassniki.
Tournament on Chess-Results
Games online
Photos
Official website
Photos by Alexander Kazarintsev and Pavel Iovik
Pianist Ivan Bessonov, the first Russian winner of the Eurovision Musicians competition and first‑prize laureate of the Sergei Rachmaninov International Competition, performed masterpieces of the world classical repertoire.
The guests and participants were welcomed Andrey Chikhanchin, First Deputy CEO for Commerce and Finance of Aeroflot, Anatoly Karpov, many-time world champion, State Duma deputy, and Honorary President of the Chess Federation of Russia, Andrey Filatov, President of the Chess Federation of Russia, and Alexander Tkachev, Executive Director of the Chess Federation of Russia.
The photo album "Aeroflot Open — 20 Years. A runway into the sky of world chess" was presented at the opening ceremony created by the Chess Federation of Russia with the support of Aeroflot.
The drawing of lots was conducted by Chief Arbiter IA Vladimir Staratorzhskiy. Just like a year ago, it was held in the format of the Armageddon game between GMs Andrey Esipenko and Evgeniy Najer.
The duel ended in victory of Andrey Esipenko, who had the white pieces. He declared the colour for the tournament's rating favorite as black. It means that the participants with odd numbers will play in Round one as Black.
The drawing of lots procedure was followed by the national anthem of the Russian Federation.
Round one of the "Aeroflot Open 2026" will be held on Saturday, 28 February. The games start at 5 PM (Moscow time).
The competition will be held at The Carlton, Moscow.
The Aeroflot Open International Chess Tournament is organised by the Chess Federation of Russia and the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation with the support of Aeroflot. The media partner of the tournament is a social network Odnoklassniki.
Tournament on Chess-Results
Games online
Photos
Official website
Photos by Alexander Kazarintsev and Pavel Iovik