Norway, 27 yo
Reigning World Champion

Elo: 2842
Date and place of birth: 30.11.1990 in Tønsberg
World ranking: 1
In Biel GMT: Winner in 2007 and 2011; 6th (2005), 2nd (2006 and 2012), 3rd (2008).

Azerbaijan, 33 yo

Elo: 2801
Date and place of birth: 12.04.1985 in Sumgait
World ranking: 3
National ranking: 1
In Biel GMT: first participation 2018

France, 27 yo

Elo: 2779
Date and place of birth: 21.10.1990 in Nogent-sur-Marne
World ranking: 8
National ranking: 1
In Biel GMT: Winner in 2009, 2013, 2014 und 2015; Winner of the Masters-Challenge 2016; 3rd after Tie-Break in 2010 and 3rd in 2011.

Russia, 42 yo

Elo: 2753
Date and place of birth: 17.06.1976 in Saint Petersburg (former Leningrad)
World ranking: 16
National ranking: 4
In Biel GMT: Winner in 2000; 2nd (2001); 2016 participant of the Masters-Challenge (against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave).

Czech Republic, 33 yo

Elo: 2741
Date and place of birth: 27.03.1985 in Prague
World ranking: 20
National ranking: 1
In Biel GMT: Shared 3rd (2015), 8th (2017)

Switzerland, 22 yo

Elo: 2526
Date and place of birth: 22.01.1996 in Bülach
In Biel GMT: Shared 4th place 2017; participant of the Juniors-Challenge 2016