Wang Hao and Hou Yifan Triumph at 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China
Grandmasters Wang Hao and Hou Yifan emerged victorious in the Open and Women’s sections of the chess competition at the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China. The Jiangsu team won the team event, while Shandong and Hebei took silver and bronze, respectively. The chess competition at the 15th National Games, the highest-level comprehensive multi-sport event in the country held every four years, took place in Shenzhen from September 23–28. It attracted the strongest local players, including former World Champions Ding Liren, Wei Yi, Yu Yangyi, Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun, Hou Yifan, Lei Tingjie, and Zhu Jiner. The event, played with a 25-minute plus 10-second increment time control, featured Open, Women’s, and Team sections and used a two-stage format: a round-robin preliminary stage followed by semifinals and finals contested by the top four players. The preliminary stage of the Open section produced a minor sensation as seventh-seed Xu Yinglun qualified for the semifinals alongside Wang Hao, Ding Liren, and Xu Xiangyu, edging out higher-rated players Yu Yangyi and Lu Shanglei. Both semifinals—Wang Hao vs. Xu Yinglun and Ding Liren vs. Xu Xiangyu—were tightly contested battles decided by tiebreaks. Wang Hao and Xu Xiangyu prevailed and advanced to the final. In the equally tense final, Wang Hao captured the title by winning the tiebreaker. Ding Liren defeated Xu Yinglun to claim the bronze medal. In the Women’s event, the top-rated players—Hou Yifan, Zhu Jiner, Ju Wenjun, and Lei Tingjie—lived up to expectations and secured spots in the knockout stage. In the semifinals, Lei Tingjie defeated Ju Wenjun, while Hou Yifan prevailed over Zhu Jiner in a very close tiebreak. Hou Yifan dominated the final, whitewashing Lei Tingjie 2-0 to claim the title. In the bronze medal match, Ju Wenjun beat Zhu Jiner in a tiebreak, completing the podium. Photos: CCA
FSI’s new Federal Technical Center open its doors in Spilimbergo, Italy
On September 27, the small town of Spilimbergo in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, situated between Venice and Trieste, hosted the official inauguration of the new Federal Technical Center of the Italian Chess Federation (FSI). The event’s significance was underscored by the attendance of CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio and Italian Government Minister Luca Ciriani. They were joined by local authorities, including Spilimbergo Mayor Enrico Sarcinelli and his council—key supporters of the project—and representatives of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, which provided generous financial backing. The new Center will serve as a dedicated hub for a wide range of activities, including: Technical training camps for the Open, Women’s, and Senior national teams. Sessions for the Federal Chess School and advanced training for promising young talents. Training camps organized by Regional Committees. Conferences and refresher courses for instructors, referees, and sports managers. National and local sporting events. This centralizes functions that were previously outsourced to various hotels on a case-by-case basis. “The purchase of this property is a turning point for our Federation,” said FSI President Luigi Maggi. “It is a true watershed moment in our century-long history that will make us even stronger and more capable of facing future challenges. It is also a wonderful gift for the 105th anniversary of the Federation, which was founded in September 1920. My thanks go to the Municipality of Spilimbergo and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region for their concrete support, as well as to CONI and Sport e Salute for their ongoing guidance and contributions to our progress.” Luca Ciriani, Minister for Parliamentary Relations, expressed his satisfaction: “Hosting the Federal Technical Center of the Italian Chess Federation in our region, in Spilimbergo, is a privilege that fills us with pride. We are proud to host such a historic federation and will do our best to support such a demanding discipline. I thank everyone for their commitment, and I am confident that Spilimbergo will rise to the challenge.”
FIDE Council approves targeted amendment to Rating Regulation
The FIDE Council has approved the amendments to the Rating Regulations, effective as of 1st of October, following the proposal from the Qualification Commission. The amendment is designed to ensure the fairness and integrity of the FIDE rating system and provide a level-playing field for all top-rated players. The change will apply to players rated 2650 and above and will affect approximately 70 top-rated Grandmasters. The amendment addresses the application of the 400-point rule. The rule stated that a difference in rating of more than 400 points shall be counted for rating purposes as it were a difference of 400 points. There are no restrictions of how many times it can be applied during a single tournament. The current wording in FIDE Rating Regulations will change to include the following, given here in bold: “8.3.1 For each game played against a rated player, determine the difference in rating between the player and their opponent, D. A difference in rating of more than 400 points shall be counted for rating purposes as though it were a difference of 400 points, for players rated below 2650. For players rated 2650 and above, the difference between ratings shall be used in all cases.” The accuracy of ratings and competitive fairness are paramount for chess. This amendment ensures that rating adjustments at the highest level accurately reflect a player’s performance against a pool of statistically equal opponents, safeguarding professional standards set by FIDE.
Winners crowned at FIDE World Junior Rapid & Blitz Championship 2025
For five days, Lima became the world’s chess capital. The Peruvian capital hosted the World Rapid and Blitz Championship, bringing together brightest young chess talents. In an atmosphere of intensity and high expectations, the clock ticked as fast as the plays unfolded, demanding not only creativity from the players but also absolute composure under pressure. Many games were decided in mere minutes, offering spectators a mix of spectacle, drama, and brilliance. The Peruvian audience responded with passion, filling the playing halls and proving that chess, in its most accelerated form, can be lived and celebrated with the energy of a true sporting event. Between draws, crushing victories, and heartbreaking defeats, Lima pulsed with the excitement of a discipline that allows no respite. By the end of five intense days, it was clear that this World Championship not only crowned new champions but also established Peru as a prominent stage on the international chess calendar. Below is the list of winners: Girls – Rapid WGM Xeniya Balabayeva (KAZ) – 7 WIM Afruza Khamdamova (UZB) – 6.5 WFM Varvara Poliakova (FIDE) – 6.5 Final standings Girls – Rapid Open – Rapid IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov (UZB) – 7.5 GM Mukhiddin Madaminov (UZB) – 7 GM Denis Lazavik (FIDE) – 7 Final standings Open – Rapid Girls – Blitz IM Eline Roebers (NED) – 12/13 WIM Umida Omonova (UZB) – 9.5 WFM Aliaksandra Tarasenka (FIDE) – 9 Eline Roebers delivered a commanding performance, clinching the title with a round to spare. The IM from the Netherlands scored an impressive 12/13, conceding just two draws. Final standings Girls – Blitz Open – Blitz GM Mukhiddin Madaminov (UZB) – 12/13 GM Denis Lazavik (FIDE) – 11.5 IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov (UZB) –10 The competition turned in an exciting race of GMs Mukhiddin Madaminov and Denis Lazavik. The runner-up of the Open – Rapid, Mamadinov seized the lead in Round 9 and preserved it to the end, finishing a half-point ahead of Lazavik. Final standings Open – Blitz Text and photos: Patricia Claros Aguilar Official website: fidewj2025.com/