With its landmark 30th season approaching, TCEC is set to enter a new chapter in its history, with the Swiss competition taking center stage as the first major event of the season. The milestone season promises to be a particularly significant one, combining TCEC’s established competitive tradition with the evolving landscape of modern computer chess.
Against this backdrop, TCEC is now taking steps to address the growing impact of AI on the computer chess world, recognizing that the emergence of fully AI-coded engines represents a fundamentally different approach while also presenting an important opportunity for innovation. Season 30 will therefore serve as an initial testing ground for integrating these new developments into the TCEC ecosystem. Here is the full statement by the TCEC Tournament Director Anton Mihailov.
Statement on accommodating AI developments in TCEC
In these changing times, TCEC recognizes the need to accommodate the rapid developments in AI within the chess world. We understand that fully AI-coded engines and traditionally programmed engines are fundamentally different approaches. At the same time, TCEC has always embraced innovation and sought to evolve alongside developments in computer chess.
To accommodate the interests and needs of both sides of this debate, TCEC will take the following steps for Season 30:
TCEC Season 30 will serve as a testing ground for the growing AI wave in computer chess. AI engines will be introduced exclusively through the TCEC Swiss, with Category 3 + Category 4 Playoff serving as the starting point and the winner earning a place in the Swiss. Regardless of how an AI engine performs in the Swiss, however, it will not be eligible to enter the regular TCEC Leagues. Instead, a dedicated extra gauntlet will be organized to provide a separate competitive path for AI engines.
The TCEC Rules Committee will continue to monitor and evaluate new developments, with the ultimate goal of establishing separate and/or joint competitions that can accommodate both traditionally programmed and AI-assisted engines.
This approach will allow TCEC to explore the possibilities of AI in computer chess while preserving the integrity and competitive structure of its existing events.
Anton Mihailov
TCEC Tournament Director
31 August 2026
