- GM Amin Tabatabaei won the 2026 Reykjavik Open with a perfect 8/9 score and a performance rating of 2849
- The Iranian grandmaster won his first seven games before drawing his final two rounds
- GM Zhou Jianchao claimed second place while legendary GM Vasyl Ivanchuk finished third
- The tournament attracted 422 players from 51 countries, including 124 titled players
GM Amin Tabatabaei has extended his exceptional form in classical chess by securing one of the finest tournament victories of his career at the 2026 Reykjavik Open. Competing in Iceland’s prestigious championship tournament, the Iranian grandmaster delivered a dominant performance that left the rest of the field playing for second place.
Tabatabaei finished with an outstanding 8/9 score, earning the €5,000 first prize. His performance rating of 2849 underscores the exceptional quality of his play throughout the nine-round event. Despite entering as the tournament’s top seed, he surpassed expectations by dismantling an extremely competitive field of elite opponents.
Unstoppable Start
The 25-year-old’s early momentum proved decisive. Tabatabaei won his first seven consecutive games, establishing a commanding lead that proved insurmountable. His unbeaten streak eventually ended when English GM Matthew Wadsworth managed to secure a draw against him in round eight—a result that required nearly perfect defensive play from the English grandmaster across 54 moves.
Rather than settle for a draw in the final round, Tabatabaei continued his fighting spirit, testing his opponent for 51 moves before recording a ninth-round victory to complete his undefeated campaign.
Quality of Victory
The dominance of Tabatabaei’s performance becomes apparent when examining his worst position. According to Stockfish 18 analysis, his most challenging moment came against French GM Marc’Andria Maurizzi, where he was only 0.75 worse—a testament to the consistently high level of his play. This represents one of the most commanding open tournament victories in recent years.
Among his standout performances was a victory against Vasyl Ivanchuk in round five. Playing against the legendary Ukrainian grandmaster’s French Defense, Tabatabaei capitalized on a premature pawn advance and sealed victory on move 30 with an impressive 96.7% accuracy rating.
Elite Competition
The tournament field included numerous 2600-rated grandmasters and other serious threats. Romanian GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac (2655), Norwegian GM Aryan Tari, and French GMs Maxime Lagarde and Marc’Andria Maurizzi represented the elite tier of competitors, yet Tabatabaei’s superior play prevailed.
GM Zhou Jianchao of the United States finished in sole second place with 7.5 points, while the legendary Ivanchuk clinched third place ahead of six other players tied on seven points.
Historic Venue
The tournament took place at Reykjavik’s stunning Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, which attracted 422 players representing 51 countries. The 2026 edition featured 124 titled players competing for recognition at a venue steeped in chess history.
Iceland’s capital has hosted the Reykjavik Open annually since 1964, establishing itself as one of the strongest regular tournaments on the international chess calendar. The venue holds particular significance in chess lore as the site of the 1972 World Championship match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky, famously known as the “Match of the Century.”
Notable Participants
Beyond the elite competition, the tournament featured several popular chess personalities. GM Simon Williams showcased his characteristic fighting style by playing the unconventional 1.a4 (Ware Opening) in his final-round game and emerging victorious. WCM Hannah Sayce streamed her games on Twitch, providing viewers with insight into the tournament’s atmosphere while achieving a personal rating boost of 21 points, pushing her rating past 1900.
Tabatabaei’s commanding victory continues what has already been an exceptional period for the Iranian grandmaster, solidifying his status as one of classical chess’s most dangerous competitors.