Bosnia and Herzegovina may not be most recognized or richest European nation, yet it has long and fruitful chess tradition (including silver medals in Moscow Olympiad in 1994). Moreover, the federal Union established the all-national league (Premijer Liga) in 2002 when three ethnical chess sub-federations: Federation Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosniaks), Federation of Republika Srpska (Serbs) and Federation of Herceg-Bosna (Croats) agreed to create cross-national platform. Each sub-federations runs its own team championship too, effectively making it all-national second level.

The Premijer Liga became one of strongest chess leagues in Europe. With legendary Bosna Sarajevo, four time European Club Cup winners, the event featured a.o. Nigel Short, Teimour Radjabov, Michael Adams, Evgeny Bareev, Suat Atalik, Pavel Eljanov, Alexander Morozevich, Alexei Shirov and the likes. The format has been ten team round robin.

Out of 11 editions, Bosna won on 8 occasions, and Željezničar, Bihać and Široki Brijeg took one single trophy each. The 12th championship is being played right now in Sarajevo.


Summary of Bosnia and Herzegovina Premijer Liga 2002-2012