Chess in Serbia: Belgrade Premier League

Shortly after the end of the First Serbian League in mid-September, the centrally organized Belgrade Premier League 2025 was held as a round-robin tournament in the center of the Serbian capital.

Team captain FM Miroslav Simonovic alias MarklarMarklar

At the invitation of the team captain of the Zmaj Chess Club, FM Miroslav Simonovic, I was allowed to play on the first board for his second team for five rounds (out of a total of eleven rounds; unfortunately, I didn't have enough time for more rounds) against Serbian masters. Miroslav is undoubtedly one of the country's greatest chess enthusiasts – he manages several teams both online and offline with great passion:

SK Zmaj teams on Lichess & OTB

On the one hand, he and his team SK Zmaj also participate in the Lichess Bundesliga and Lichess Rapid League, which is how the original contact came about. Miroslav also participated in the Serbian First League with SK Zmaj, helping his team to finish as runners-up this year. He coordinates and sponsors his teams and also took part in this year's European Team Cup with a women's and men's team. Anyone who invests so much time and energy into chess must be a true chess lover! Miroslav also successfully took part himself for his team in the European Team Cup, which earned him the FM title despites being 51 years!

Many Serbs are familiar with at least the rules of chess, including my taxi driver from Belgrade Airport, whose smartphone home screen clearly displayed a Lichess icon—a good omen! The club players also follow events in the local leagues: some spectators met up and chatted about chess outside the playing hall. Since Serbia is not in the EU, the atmosphere in bars and restaurants (as well as in all chess analysis areas) is generally more relaxed – smoking is allowed everywhere (at least not in the playing hall)! The atmosphere in Serbia is generally more relaxed than in other European countries.

Back to the Belgrade Premier League: Miroslav also took on the role of player there at times, but otherwise he took good care of his players and provided them with water and a small sweet before each round, which strengthened the team spirit!

During the games, there was also a chess stand with books and chess equipment from the well-known tournament organizer GM Sinisa Drazic, who was also participating in the league at the same time.

Historical buildings in Belgrade as well as a (chess) book store plus a chess club in the center.

id-Chess & ChessCam as cheap Broadcasting alternatives to DGT

Another interesting observation was something that is not yet in use even in Germany's top leagues: six boards in the Belgrade Premier League used modern broadcasting technology from id-Chess, which involves using one smartphone camera per board to record the games without the need for DGT boards. This then transmits the moves via the software, which initially does not require an internet connection. The software, which is recognized by FIDE, certainly offers a good alternative to DGT.

In addition, tournament organizers also have ChessCam, a free open-source alternative – so it will be exciting to see whether broadcasting games with smartphones will become standard practice at tournaments in the future!

Shaky games in 90+30 time control

FIDE recently just announced a few days ago, that 45+30 games will also be FIDE rated, as FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said that “We are adapting the pace of modern sport, while preserving the quality and essence of the game” It will be interesting to see if this statement will remain true, as the quality of games already feels quite shaky in 90+30 without any additional second time control after move 40. At least from my experience in Belgrade and other events, the quality rapidly decreases as soon as one player faces serious time trouble.

Impression of the playing hall

As you will notice, I should have lost the first game instead of winning it.

Lucky win vs. IM Marko Nenezic

Belgrade Premier League - Results

Our team SK Zmaj 2 got 7th in the end and was able to stay in the league successfully.
All results: https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1263572.aspx?lan=1&art=83&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0

Last but not least: Ćevapi!

If you want to try out proper Ćevapi, I would definitely recommend you to try them from a charcoal barbecue with Kupus (Cabbage) salad, in a pita and as recommended by Miroslav including Kajmak - a rich, creamy dairy product similar to clotted cream, made by skimming the thick layer that forms on top of heated milk as it cools, common in the Balkans, Turkey, and the Middle East. It's characterized by its high milk fat content (around 60%), buttery texture, and mild, slightly sweet taste, often served with breakfast, desserts, bread, or fruit, and sometimes lightly fermented or salted.

Left: FM Miroslav Simonovic and your author

Note that this article was first published originally in German in the December 2025 issue of the German chess magazine Rochade Europa).