For the players of the Grand Master Tournament, the rest day was in the heights: they were able to escape the heat on the Bözingenberg above Biel (930 metres above sea level). On Saturday it will be hot at the boards again: at the Blitz tournament a total of 14 games will be played for each player with a reflection time of 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move. The eight players play against each other with both colours. These games are also counted for the overall ranking. There is one point for a victory (Rapid two points for a victory, classic reflection time, three points for a victory).
With the Blitz tournament a good starting position can be created for the remaining three rounds.
In the Master Tournament (MTO), two players were able to take the lead with wins in the 5th round: GM Ante Brkic (CRO) and GM Alexander Donchenko (GER) are leading together with 4.5 points.
In the parallel running General Tournament (ATO) one player still has the maximum points: Achim Schneuwly (Düdingen) is the only player with a flawless record of five wins. Behind him follow various players with 4.5 points. Among them was the third placed ATO 2017 Prosper Meyer from Biel.
On Saturday the VINETUM Youth Tournament will start at 10h and then the two Blitz Tournaments of the Grandmaster Tournament as well as the Swiss Blitz Chess Championship will start at 14h.
As always, admission to all tournaments is free.
Further photos are available at the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143150736@N02/collections/72157709757960902/