Étienne Bacrot and Sophie Milliet achieved remarkable success at the French chess championships held in Vichy, further solidifying their legacies by winning their ninth and seventh national titles, respectively. Their victories highlight the intense competition and skill present in this year’s tournament.
2026 French Chess Championship Overview
The 2026 championship took place from August 7 to 16 and featured a dynamic format consisting of 16-player knockout brackets in both the Open and Women’s events. In addition to the main events, several Swiss side tournaments added to the excitement. Each match consisted of two classical games, and in case of a tie, players proceeded to a rapid playoff. This rapid format allowed for 15 minutes of play with a 10-second increment, followed by a blitz set with 5 minutes and a 3-second increment. If the match was still tied after these rounds, it culminated in an Armageddon game to determine the winner.
In the Open category, Bacrot navigated the early rounds with relative ease, reaching the quarterfinals without issue. He faced IM Peio Dubois in a playoff, where he emerged victorious. His semifinal matchup against GM Laurent Fressinet mirrored his previous performance: both classical games ended in draws, but Bacrot secured his place in the finals through a rapid victory. On the opposite side of the bracket, Lagarde faced a tougher path, needing a single tiebreak to eliminate Sébastien Mazé in the Round of 16. He continued his winning streak by defeating Yannick Gozzoli and the defending champion, Marc’Andria Maurizzi, with identical scores of 1.5–0.5 in both the quarterfinals and semifinals. The final match was fiercely contested, with both classical games ending in draws. However, Bacrot showcased his prowess in the rapid tiebreak, decisively winning both games to claim the championship title. Maurizzi secured the bronze medal by triumphing in both blitz games against Fressinet after their match ended in a stalemate through classical and rapid play.
The Women’s tournament mirrored the intensity of the Open event. Milliet advanced through a challenging bracket, defeating competitors such as Nino Maisuradze, Manon Schippke, and the defending champion, Yosha Iglesias. In the finals, Pauline Guichard battled her way past Natacha Benmesbah, Anastasia Savina, and Marie Sebag to reach the championship match. The final showdown between Milliet and Guichard was a nail-biter, with two classical games ending in draws. After a closely contested first rapid game, Milliet clinched the title by winning the fourth game of the playoff. Sebag finished in third place by winning the first classical game against Iglesias and drawing the second, showcasing her own skill throughout the tournament.
The 2026 French Chess Championships not only highlighted the exceptional talents of Bacrot and Milliet but also illustrated the depth of competition present in French chess today. As they continue to dominate the scene, the future of chess in France looks bright.