Chess Beyond the Board: Exciting side events at 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad
The 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest promises to be not only a thrilling global chess tournament (and the biggest since its inception) but there will also be a diverse array of side events engaging participants and spectators alike. These events, ranging from conferences and exhibitions to artistic performances, highlight the cultural and social impact of chess. Here are the key side events scheduled during the Olympiad: FIDE100 Exhibition Date & Time: September 10-23, 2024 Location: BOK Sports and Conference Centre, Expo Area Description: The FIDE100 exhibition celebrates the centennial of FIDE, showcasing the rich history of chess and its governing body. Visitors can explore a diverse collection of exhibits highlighting the evolution of chess over the last 100 years. CAPTURE – The Photo Exhibition Date & Time: September 17-23, 2024 Location: TBD Description: CAPTURE is a photographic art installation that celebrates the beauty of chess through a luminous photo exhibition. The project invites viewers to explore the colorful world hidden behind the 64 black and white squares. Link: CAPTURE Exhibition QUEEN TRAP – Music Short Film Date & Time: September 17, 2024 Location: Hungarian Fine Arts Museum Description:“Queen Trap” is an unreleased chess-themed music short film by artist Juga, promoting female empowerment in chess. The project features top women chess players from around the world and is co-produced with the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess. We are already counting on the participation of Judit Polgar, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Elizabeth Paehtz, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Tania Sachdev, and many more! Link: Queen Trap Film Judit Polgar’s 10th Global Chess Festival Date & Time: September 17-18, 2024 Location: Hungarian National Gallery and Intercontinental Budapest Description: Celebrating its 10th edition, Judit Polgar’s Global Chess Festival will feature games, workshops, demonstrations, and tournaments. The event also includes the 4th EDU Chess Summit, where speakers discuss the role of chess in education. Link: Global Chess Festival The FIDE 100 Awards Ceremony Date & Time: September 19, 2024 Location: TBD Description: In celebration of FIDE’s centenary, the FIDE 100 Awards Ceremony will honor individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the world of chess. The awards recognize excellence in various fields, including playing, organizing, and promoting chess. Link: FIDE 100 Awards Conferences and Seminars FIDE EDU “Preparation of Teachers” course Date & Time:September 15-16 & 20-21, 2024 Location:September 15-16 -Pasha Cafe (Váralja utca 14), September 20-21 – BOK stadium Description:This exceptional 4-day seminar is an ideal opportunity for teachers, chess educators, beginner and advanced players with basic chess knowledge, and anyone with experience working with children. Engage in hands-on activities designed to integrate chess into academic settings while fostering essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.Expert Lecturers: Rita Atkins, WIM, Secretary of the FIDE Chess in Education Commission (Hungary) and Anzel Laubscher, WIM, FIDE Instructor, and FIDE EDU Commission Member (South Africa). For registration, please send an email to edu.courses@fide.com until September 10, 2024 Link: edu.fide.com/commissionNews/66c079144c003ef7ddac74aa #SOCIALCHESS Conference Date & Time: September 21, 2024, 09:00–13:00 Location: InterContinental Hotel Budapest and Online Description: Organized by the FIDE Social Commission, the #SOCIALCHESS Conference will discuss the societal benefits of chess. Attendees will learn about FIDE’s social initiatives, such as Chess for Protection, Chess for Freedom, Infinite Chess, Chess for Elderly, and Chess for Life. The event will feature speakers including Dana Reizniece-Ozola, André Vögtlin, and other project leaders. Link: SOCIALCHESS Conference FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar Date & Time: September 12-17, 2024, 09:00 – 12:30 Location: BOK Sports and Conference Centre Description: The FIDE Arbiters’ Commission will conduct this seminar, offering training and certification for arbiters. The seminar covers essential regulations and best practices and will be conducted in English. The Seminar will give norms and titles of FIDE Arbiter, according to the Regulations for the titles of Arbiters. Entry fee: 130 EUR Contact: IA/IO Nebojsa Baralic, ARB Secretary (secretary.arbiters@fide.com, +381 64 3232910 Link: FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar FIDE Fair Play Seminar Date & Time: September 15-18, 2024, 08:30 – 12:00 Location: TBD Description: Organized by the FIDE Fair Play Commission, this seminar will focus on anti-cheating regulations and fair play practices in chess. Participants will receive certification upon successful completion. Scope of the seminar Fair Play Legal Framework Anti-Cheating Regulations Statistical evidence Technical devices and their usage Fair Play Theory and Practice at OTB Events Seminar fee: 200 EUR Exam fee: 50 EUR Link: FIDE Fair Play Seminar 8th International Certification Seminar Date & Time: September 15-18, 2024, 08.30-12.30Location: BOK Sports and Conference Centre, Playing hallDescription: The International Arbiter Certification Seminar is a training session for active FIDE Arbiters. The goal of this second level of arbiter training is to ensure that candidates applying for the IA title are ready, in terms of technical skills and practical experience.The session is concluded by a readiness evaluation. Participants who are declared ready through the evaluation are granted an International Arbiter Norm from the seminar. The following topics will be covered in IA Certification Seminar:• Revision of all the necessary regulations of Arbiters, Rules, Qualification, Pairings, Fair Play and Technical Commissions• Ability to use chess clocks efficiently• Ability to use an approved version of pairing software efficiently• Ability to run a chess event• Ability to communicate in English in a chess event Entry fee: 130 EURContact: IA/IO Nebojsa Baralic, ARB Secretary (secretary.arbiters@fide.com, +381 64 3232910)Link: arbiters.fide.com/news/9396 Women&Chess&Balance Conference Date & Time: September 21, 2024, 15:00–19:00 Location: InterContinental Hotel Budapest and Online Description: This conference, organized by the Commission for Women’s Chess, will explore topics such as management, social media, and branding in chess, with a focus on empowering women in the chess community. Link: Women&Chess&Balance Conference Join us in Budapest for these enriching side events that promise to add a new dimension to the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad. For more details and registration information, please visit the official Olympiad website.
Karthik Venkataraman wins 61st India Championship
GM Karthik Venkataraman of Andhra Pradesh emerged as the winner of the 61st India Chess Championship thanks to a crucial final-round victory over Guha Mitrabh. Organized by the Haryana Chess Association at RPS International School, Gurgaon, the 11-round Swiss tournament boasting a prize fund of thirty lakhs rupees (approximately USD 35,000) brought together 341 players from all across India. In addition to winning the title, Karthik lifted a glittering trophy and a cash prize of six lakhs rupees (approximately USD 7,150). The top seed Ganguly, leading throughout the tournament, tied for the first place but had to settle for silver (only 0.5 Buchholz points separated him from the champion) after making four straight draws at the finish. IM Neelash Saha, with nine points, the same as Karthik and Ganguly placed third due to inferior tiebreaks. As many as six players, including the second seed Abhijeet Gupta, scored 8.5/11 and tied for fourth place. Dharmendra Kumar IA, treasurer, All India Chess Federation was the chief guest and awarded the prizes in the presence of Saurabh Jindal, President of Haryana Chess Association, Vishnu Bhagwan Kashyap, Secretary, HCA, Raj Chauhan from the film industry, Naresh Sharma, former treasurer of AICF, Raj Pal Chauhan Secretary, District Chess Association, Gurgaon, Dr. Pooja Sharma Principal, RPS School, and Sushma Chauhan, joint secretary Gurgaon DCA. Final standings: 1 GM Karthik, Venkataraman 2568 9 2 GM Ganguly, Surya Shekhar 2583 9 3 IM Neelash, Saha 2470 9 4 GM Ghosh, Diptayan 2568 8½ 5 IM Aronyak, Ghosh 2535 8½ 6 IM Gusain, Himal 2511 8½ 7 GM Lalit, Babu M R 2494 8½ 8 GM Gupta, Abhijeet 2583 8½ 9 IM Shyaam, Nikhil P 2442 8½ 10 GM Sethuraman, S.P. 2571 8 Complete final standings Photos: All India Chess Federation Official website: aicf.in/