Blue Chevaliers

♟️ About Blue Chevaliers

Blue Chevaliers is a strictly non-profit chess organizing group active in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Rather than operating as a conventional membership club or commercial chess academy, the group consists of international chess players who organize and promote serious over-the-board competition. Its members are Bami Tanachaporn, David Camhi, Jeremi Nodon, Matthieu Penot, Nicolas Noel, and Peter Frost. Their work focuses particularly on classical chess with standard time controls, international participation, strong playing conditions, and opportunities for female, junior, and senior players. The organization is best known for the annual Blue Chevaliers International Open in Phuket, which began in 2022 and has grown from a relatively small international tournament into an established FIDE-rated event. Blue Chevaliers also publishes the free online newsletter Tiger Chess!, which promotes and reports on classical tournaments across Thailand and Southeast Asia. In recent editions, the group has partnered with Red Knight Chess Club, combining Blue Chevaliers’ international tournament organization with Red Knight’s experience in Thai chess, arbiting, and local tournament infrastructure. Peter Frost is the principal public contact and Tournament Director of the Blue Chevaliers International Open. The group’s main current project is the 5th Blue Chevaliers International Open, scheduled for September 7–13, 2026 at Novotel Phuket Resort in Patong. The tournament will feature nine rounds of FIDE-rated classical chess, Bami’s Blitz, a substantial prize fund, and a field that includes Grandmasters and other titled players from multiple federations.

📜 Development of the International Open

Blue Chevaliers launched its Phuket tournament in July 2022. The first edition was initially planned for 48 players but expanded after additional demand. FM Jony Habla won the Open Championship, while WFM Sarocha Chuemsakul, Shin Jingjang, and Ric Portugalera earned the Female, Junior, and Senior titles respectively. The tournament grew considerably in its second year. The 2023 edition attracted more than 100 players representing around 30 federations, demonstrating the increasingly international character of the event. The third edition followed at Novotel Phuket Resort in 2024. IM Oleg Badmatsyrenov won the tournament with 8/9, while the event again attracted players from a broad range of national federations. By 2025, the fourth edition had expanded its planned capacity to as many as 160 players. Blue Chevaliers also introduced Bami’s Blitz, adding FIDE-rated speed chess to the festival while retaining the classical tournament as its central competition.

🏆 Blue Chevaliers International Open

The International Open reflects the organizers’ preference for serious classical chess. The main tournament consistently uses a nine-round Swiss system with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move and is submitted for FIDE Standard rating. Blue Chevaliers also emphasizes playing conditions and tournament administration. Recent regulations have included clear rules concerning electronic devices, forfeits, spectator behavior, photography, dress standards, and fair play. The event has progressively expanded its awards. Alongside the overall Open Championship, prizes recognize female, junior, senior, and rating-group competitors. The organizers have also developed incentives for Grandmasters and other strong titled players to strengthen the international field.

🌍 5th Blue Chevaliers International Open 2026

The 5th Blue Chevaliers International Open will take place from September 7–13, 2026 at the Siam Conference Centre inside Novotel Phuket Resort in Patong Beach. Blue Chevaliers and Red Knight Chess Club are jointly presenting the tournament under the chess framework of Thailand. Peter Frost serves as Tournament Director, while IA Ellie Emira Syamimi is Chief Arbiter. The main event is limited to 130 players and requires a FIDE ID and a minimum published Standard rating of 1400. The nine-round classical competition is FIDE rated, while Bami’s Blitz on September 10 will use ten rounds at 3+2 and will also receive FIDE rating. The published prize fund totals THB 413,000, with prizes across the Open, Female, Senior, Junior, rating-group, and blitz categories. The current entry list includes several Grandmasters and other titled players from Europe, Asia, and beyond.

📰 Tiger Chess!

Beyond tournament organization, Blue Chevaliers publishes Tiger Chess!, a free online newsletter devoted primarily to standard-time-control chess in Thailand and Southeast Asia. The newsletter promotes upcoming tournaments and reports on events around the region. Therefore, it extends the group’s activity beyond its own Phuket competition and supports greater visibility for classical chess opportunities across Southeast Asia. Subscriptions are free and are coordinated through Peter Frost, who also handles Blue Chevaliers tournament enquiries.