A demanding marathon continues in Reykjavik
The first three rounds of the 2026 Reykjavik Open Chess Tournament, held in Iceland’s capital Reykjavik from March 25 to 31, have been completed. One of the notable open tournaments on the European calendar, the event features GM Mustafa Yilmaz, GM Vahap Sanal, and GM Emre Can representing Turkey. The picture after the opening rounds shows that our representatives have maintained their fighting strength against strong opposition.
At the end of round three, GM Vahap Sanal and GM Emre Can continue to track the top places with 2.5 points, while GM Mustafa Yilmaz remains in the tournament on 1.5 points. In open tournaments, especially in the early stages, the points balance is of great importance; for that reason, it can be said that our players who have reached 2.5 points have preserved their chances of closing in on the leading group in the coming rounds. In this format, where a single game's swing can quickly reshape the standings, every half-point carries its own value.
The Reykjavik Open is known not only for bringing together strong grandmasters, but also for attracting many titled and rising players from different countries. In this respect, the tournament serves as an important test both for players chasing norms and Elo gains and for grandmasters seeking top-level competition. Reykjavik, which holds a special place in Iceland’s chess history, also stands out as a venue that has hosted events that left a mark on the memory of world chess. Competing in such a deeply rooted atmosphere offers the players a distinct experience both sportingly and psychologically.
Round 4 of the tournament will begin today, Friday, March 27, at 15:00; these games will be played at 18:00 Turkey time. The results from the first three rounds show that our representatives are still in contention as the event enters its critical phase. Preparation in the middle rounds, accuracy in opening choices, and endgame technique will be the main factors determining their place in the overall standings. Turkish chess fans hope that our grandmasters competing in Reykjavik will continue to score strong results in the next rounds and finish the tournament with an impressive placing.