Nine days packed with great chess games, thrilling finishes and international matches are now behind us. The Sparkassen Chess Trophy 2026 – the 53rd International Dortmund Chess Days – have once again demonstrated the special appeal of Germany’s most historic chess festival.

In the second-to-last round of the A-Open, the title contenders for the final day have become clear. In the direct duel between the two leaders, Elham Amar and Felix Xie, the Norwegian grandmaster came out on top.

Elham Amar went into the final round with a half-point lead and a strong tiebreak score. It was nearly clear that a draw would be enough for him to secure victory in the tournament.

Photo of the prize-giving ceremony: Tournament Director Patrick Zelbel, winner Elham Amar, third-placed Kacper Piorun, and Dirk Schaufelberger, Chairman of the Board of Sparkasse Dortmund

Max Pick, reverently nicknamed “The Peak” by the other participants, wins the B-Open of the 2026 Sparkassen Chess Trophy!