swiss chess

While the Candidates Sleeps: The European Championship Is Eating Top Seeds Alive in Katowice

The 2026 European Individual Chess Championship has 501 players, 43 federations, and a €100,000 prize fund. It also has a body count. By Round 3, the top seed had been knocked off by an IM rated 240 points lower, and the third seed had blundered his way into a loss. Here is what is going on in Katowice while everyone watches Cyprus.