Magnus Carlsen is coming back to Biel

To celebrate its 45th anniversary, the Festival is pleased to announce that World Number 1 Magnus Carlsen, who has already won twice in Biel (2007 and 2011), will come back for the 2012 edition. The Norwegian will replace Leinier Dominguez Perez to take part on Sunday, July 22 in the 45th anniversary blitz tournament and from Monday, July 23, in the Grandmaster Tournament, which will be a category XXI tournament (2756 Elo average) for the first time in its history.

This will be the strongest invitational tournament ever played in Biel and in Switzerland. With Magnus Carlsen (No. 1), Hikaru Nakamura (No. 7) and Alexander Morozevich (No. 9), three members of the Top-10 and four from the Top-15 will be competing, with Wang Hao’s (No. 15) first participation. Etienne Bacrot and Anish Giri will complete the line-up.