Chessnut at Rüben Open Leipzig 2026: Celebrating a Lifetime of Chess
Last weekend, 250 players gathered at Leipzig's Werk Zwei for a chess tournament unlike any other. Chessnut was proud to be part of it.
The Rüben Open Leipzig 2026 brought together players of all ages and levels for a weekend of classical chess in one of Leipzig's most vibrant cultural venues. But the moment everyone will remember happened on Saturday — and it had nothing to do with tournament standings.
A Match for the Ages
The highlight of the event was an exhibition match between two of the world's top-ranked active players aged 90 and above. Both sit at the pinnacle of FIDE's 90+ world rankings. Decades of mastery, distilled into a single game — played live in front of a captivated audience.
The match was played on a Chessnut Pro board, bringing real-time digital precision to a game that has spanned lifetimes. For everyone in the room, it was a powerful reminder: chess has no expiration date.
On Television
The exhibition caught the attention of mdr-Sachsenspiegel, the regional public television news program. Their coverage featured interviews with participants and close-up shots of the Chessnut Pro in action, introducing our board to viewers across the region.
A student television crew also produced a dedicated feature on the tournament, including an interview with the A-Open champion — adding another layer of visibility for the event and for Chessnut.
The A-Open Champion
IM Jonathan "Jonny" Carlstedt (Elo 2432) claimed victory in the A-Open, adding another strong result to an already impressive career. Carlstedt is one of Germany's most well-known chess personalities, and his win was the competitive highlight of the weekend.
Even better: on his popular weekly YouTube show Schachtalk am Sonntag, Carlstedt announced that he will be doing an in-depth review of the Chessnut Evo. We're excited to hear his take.
The Rüben Open
Word about this tournament has been spreading fast across German chess clubs, and it's easy to see why. The mix of competitive chess, meaningful moments like the 90+ exhibition, strong media coverage, and a venue with real character made this a standout event.
Congratulations to the organizers for pulling off something special. We're already looking forward to next year.
About Chessnut
The Chessnut Pro brings tournament-grade piece recognition and real-time digital integration to your physical board. The Chessnut Evo takes things further with built-in AI analysis and a seamless over-the-board experience. And the Chessnut Air offers a portable, affordable entry point for anyone looking to play smarter.
We believe chess is for everyone — from beginners to grandmasters, from 9-year-olds to 90-year-olds. The Rüben Open proved that, and we're honored to have been part of it.