Sambuev Tops Sahel Chess Festival in Monastir

Festival Launches in Monastir

Bator Sambuev of Canada claimed victory at the second edition of the Sahel Chess Festival, held from 25 to 31 October 2026 at the El Habib Hotel in Monastir, Tunisia.

The event, organized under the auspices of the Tunisian Chess Federation and FIDE, featured five classical tournaments alongside an open blitz event. More than 300 participants representing twenty federations took part in the nine‑round Swiss‑system competitions.

Open A: Dominant Performance

Sambuev, arriving as the top seed, secured the Open A title with a score of 8 points from 9 rounds. His only dropped points came from two draws against IM Mohamed Ali Boudriga and FM Nicolo Casadio. Wafa Hamed of Egypt finished half a point behind in second place, while Italy’s Valerio Carnicelli took third.

Other Tournament Winners

In Open B, Badr Bilel Chabchoub topped the standings with an impressive 8.5/9. IM Zaur Tekeyev also celebrated on the final day by winning the blitz tournament with the same score of 8/9.

Festival Atmosphere

The four‑star El Habib Hotel, with rooms overlooking its grounds and beach, provided a comfortable setting for both play and social interaction. Attendees highlighted the friendly exchanges among players from across the continent and beyond.

Looking Ahead

The successful second edition reinforces the growing stature of the Sahel Chess Festival as a key event on the African chess calendar.

Source

This report is based on information published by FIDE — International Chess Federation.

Official source: https://www.fide.com/sahel-chess-festival-bringing-the-world-of-chess-to-africa/