From Player to Coach | GM Bu Xiangzhi on Biel, China and Chess | Biel 2026

A conversation outside the Congress Centre, with the sounds of Biel all around — dogs splashing through the fountain, kids playing football, the city going about its summer day. GM Bu Xiangzhi 🇨🇳 first came to Biel as a player. Now 40, and a coach, he's back for a very different reason: to watch his students compete. In this relaxed interview he talks about why rapid and blitz suit him these days, why preparing his Chinese team leaves him little time to play himself, and what keeps drawing him back to this festival — his fifth visit. He also shares his thoughts on the state of Chinese chess, and offers some candid coaching advice for one of his country's rising stars. ❤️ 2027 marks our 60th anniversary! Help us make it unforgettable and invite a dream guest to Biel: 👉 https://www.bielchessfestival.ch/Part... ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Outside the Congress Centre in Biel 0:14 Rapid or blitz? Why classical feels too long now 0:32 "I don't have much time to play by myself" 0:48 At 40, a coach first — why he came to Biel 1:11 A working holiday with the family 1:28 Five visits to Biel over the years 1:56 His students at this year's festival 2:42 On Lu Miaoyi — and some honest advice 3:31 The state of Chinese chess 4:09 What makes the Biel Chess Festival special 5:02 "I hope I can come to Biel again" ♟️ About GM Bu Xiangzhi: China's 10th grandmaster, who earned the title in 1999 at just 13 years and 10 months — the youngest in the world at the time. In 2017 he famously defeated World Champion Magnus Carlsen at the World Cup in Tbilisi. 🔗 Official website: bielchessfestival.ch 📷 Instagram: instagram.com/bielchessfestival/ ✖️ X: x.com/BielFestival #bielchess #biel2026 #chessfestival #chess #buxiangzhi