On June 13, 2026, the first ever negotiation championship in Germany took place in Berlin, held in the "Classic Management Duel" format based on Vladimir Tarasov's methodology and conducted entirely in German.

The event combined business, educational, and cultural elements. Negotiation duels, expert commentary, live interaction, and the atmosphere of intellectual competition — here are the highlights.

Six competitors competed for the Cup, tackling seven negotiation cases. The format included a group stage, a final, as well as a coffee break, a musical interlude, and networking.

Here are the Cup winners:

Cup Champion — Marina Fischer

2nd place — Hilmar Bubenheim

Special nominations:

Best Judge — Peter Korolev

Best Second — Svitlana Bubenheim

A key role in the tournament was played by the judges — entrepreneurs, managers, and experts who evaluated not only the outcome of the negotiations but also the players' strategies, argumentation, ability to build relationships, and reach agreements.

During the coffee break, participants enjoyed culinary surprises from Maria Kulikova — a salad bar and homemade marshmallows.

Before the final, a musical interlude featured a wonderful duet by Anna Anisimova and Alexander Kislyakov, adding a special atmosphere to the event.

We would also like to highlight the international character of the event: participants, judges, and guests came from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. At the core of the format is the idea of fostering a culture of constructive debate (Streitkultur), respectful dialogue, and the ability to resolve conflicts peacefully.

Thank you to all players, judges, seconds, spectators, partners, and the organizing team!

Brief Description of the Classic Management Duel

Case

The duel is based on a negotiation case derived from a real-world management situation involving multiple roles and interests.

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Gamers

Two duelists, accompanied by their seconds, conduct negotiations at the gaming table—just as in real life.

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Rounds

The duel consists of two rounds, each lasting 5 minutes; roles are assigned at the beginning of each round.

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Judges

The proceedings are observed by a panel of 7 judges drawn from three distinct colleges, who evaluate communication, managerial mindset, and negotiation effectiveness according to their respective colleges' criteria.

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Decision

Following the duel, the judges determine the winners and provide constructive, development-oriented feedback.

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