Round 4 of the Schachbundesliga kicks off Friday with the heavy hitters still jostling for position. Vachier-Lagrave and Rapport lead the charge, joined by a sharp squad of young talent in Suleymanli, Pranav V, and Aravindh. The 16-team format means every result matters early. Sarana and Blübaum anchor solid squads, while Kasimdzhanov brings veteran experience. Ninety minutes per side with increment gives these players room to punish mistakes. This is where the 2026/27 season takes real shape.