Serbian International Arbiter Nebojša Baralić at the Prestigious Biel Chess Festival
The festival was also attended by H.E. Ivan Trifunović, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Switzerland, who had the honour of ceremonially making the first move to officially open the game between top grandmasters Levon Aronian and Matthias Blübaum.
Nebojša Baralić is an International Arbiter, International Organizer and FIDE Lecturer, as well as the long-serving Secretary of the FIDE Arbiters' Commission. His outstanding reputation in the international chess community was further confirmed by his appointment as Chief Arbiter of the 2023 FIDE World Championship Match between Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi, held in Astana.
Baralić's participation in the Biel Festival is yet another testament to the prominent role that Serbian chess professionals continue to play on the international stage.
The visit also held special personal significance for Ambassador Trifunović. His father, Dušan Lj. Trifunović, was a passionate amateur chess player who participated in tournaments in Biel on several occasions. In his memory, the "Dušan Lj. Trifunović" Memorial Chess Festival is held annually in Belgrade, bringing together renowned grandmasters, veteran players and young chess talents.
The gathering in Biel thus brought together Nebojša Baralić's international reputation, the long-standing tradition of the renowned Biel Chess Festival, and Ambassador Trifunović's personal family connection to the game of chess.
