Winners crowned at 2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities
The 2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities concluded today in Astana, marking a historic celebration of inclusivity, determination, and unity – coinciding with the Republic Day of Kazakhstan. The final day began with a vibrant cultural performance featuring traditional Kazakh dances, music, and local cuisine, creating a festive atmosphere for the participants. The ceremonial first move was made by Andrey Gromov, President of the International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA), together with Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess). “It’s the first time Kazakhstan has organised such an event,” said Gulmira Dauletova. “After hosting the World Cadets Championship just weeks ago, preparing this Olympiad in only 20 days was a huge challenge – but our team worked tirelessly, and we are proud that everything went so well. The players are happy, and that means everything to us.” “Our main goal was to create smiles. Seeing the players enjoy themselves, especially during moments like our ‘Hug Day,’ was the most rewarding part,” she added. A short but powerful history The Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities has a brief yet inspiring history. It began in 2020 with the first Online Olympiad, which saw 61 teams from 45 countries and nearly 400 players – Poland took gold in that inaugural edition. Three years later, the dream of meeting over the board became reality in Belgrade, Serbia, where 23 teams competed in the first in-person event – Poland once again emerged victorious. This year in Astana, the Olympiad reached a record 34 participating teams, making it the largest and most inclusive edition to date.The story continues: starting in 2026, the Olympiad for People with Disabilities will be held alongside the main Chess Olympiad, beginning in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. “For me, it’s special that chess allows people with all kinds of abilities to compete on an equal footing,” said Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board. “Chess is one of the most inclusive sports in the world – and aligning these Olympiads ensures that everyone remains part of the same global chess family.” Thomas Luther, Chairman of the FIDE Commission for People with Disabilities, added: “From next year, the Olympiad for People with Disabilities will take place alongside the main Olympiad and the FIDE Congress – a major step that guarantees the continuity and growth of this event.” Stories of Inspiration Inclusivity in chess extends to every corner of the world. Blessing Jemani, captain of the Zimbabwean team, shared a powerful story about his young student Tinashe Mvududu, who plays chess using his legs.“He teaches us that disability is not inability,” said Jemani. “He’s an inspiration to our entire chess community – and though he couldn’t join us this year, we hope to see him competing next year in Uzbekistan.” Position of the Day The final round delivered thrilling chess moments — notably, the game between Ihar Rasikhin (FIDE 2) and Luisa Fernanda Molina Valdes (Colombia), featuring a brilliant “Greek gift” sacrifice: 26. Bxh7+ Kxh7 27. Qxf7 Qd8?? (after 27…Rxe1! 28. Rxe1 Qc4! White is only slightly better) 28. Qh5+ Kg8 29. g6, and Black resigned facing inevitable checkmate. Awarding Ceremony The closing ceremony was filled with emotion and pride. Dana Reizniece delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing gratitude to all contributors: “The 2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities has been a true festival of humanity – a magnificent demonstration of the unbreakable spirit of chess. On behalf of FIDE, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Government of Kazakhstan and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for their continuous support of chess and its development. Our thanks also go to the Akimat of Astana and Mayor Zhenis Kasymbek for their warm hospitality, and to the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and its President Timur Turlov for their exceptional organisation. We are deeply grateful to our partners, Freedom Holding Corporation and all sponsors, for their invaluable support, and to the National Paralympic Centre for providing world-class playing conditions. Finally, heartfelt thanks to the arbiters, fair play team, and volunteers whose dedication ensured everything ran flawlessly.” Team standings The final standings crowned the champions of the 2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities: 1st Place – FIDE 1 (Babarykin, Ermakov, Lipilin, Zakharova, Obodchuk)2nd Place –Poland (Tazbir, Molenda, Piekielny, Leszner, Wolanski)3rd Place – Israel (Gruenfeld, Streltsov, Gurbanov, Aleksandrova) Full results: chess-results.com Special awards and board winners Special prizes Youngest player with hearing disability: Farkas Virag (Hungary) Youngest player with physical disability: Atassi Celine (USA) Youngest player with visual disability: Kuanyshuly Nurgisa (Kazakhstan 2) Oldest player with hearing disability: Jimenez Moron Elias (Panama) Oldest player with physical disability: Babula Milan (Czech Republic; pictured below) Oldest player with visual disability: Bibikov Yuriy (Kazakhstan 3) Longest chess career (female): Dietsche Birgit (Germany) Best game: Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza (Philippines) Best performance: Maksim Ermakov (FIDE 1) Board winners Outstanding performances were also recognised on each board, highlighting individual excellence throughout the event: Board 1: 1. Amato, Leonel (Argentina) 2. Varadi, Viktor (Hungary) 3. Gruenfeld, Yehuda (Israel) – pictured belowBoard 2: 1. Glazar, Domagoj (Croatia) 2. Pavicevic, Jovan (Serbia) 3. Ermakov, Maksim (FIDE 1)Board 3: 1. Musokeri, Prince (Zimbabwe) 2. Rasikhin, Igor (FIDE 2) 3. Kishan, Gangolli (India)Board 4: 1. Cherono, Mercy (Kenya) 2. Ali Mohamed, Mohamed (Egypt) 3. Salamon, Julia (IBCA)Board 5: 1. Kambarova, Aiganym (Kazakhstan 2) 2. Sarkar, Md Ali Nawaz (Bangladesh) 3. Pavicevic, Jovana (Serbia) Passing the flag to Uzbekistan During the ceremony, Gulmira Dauletova officially handed over the FIDE flag to Askar Ibraimov, Specialist of the Chess Federation of Uzbekistan for the Paralympic direction – symbolizing the transfer of hosting duties to Samarkand in 2026. “How it started years ago – it was a challenge,” said Akaki Iashvili, FIDE Special Tasks Director. “But thanks to the FIDE DIS Commission, KazChess, the government, volunteers, arbiters, and the Fair Play team, we created optimal conditions and a beautiful atmosphere. The journey continues.” With this symbolic moment, the 2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities officially came to a close – leaving behind unforgettable memories and setting the stage
2025 U.S. Championships: Fabiano Caruana and Carissa Yip defend titles
GM Fabiano Caruana and IM Carissa Yip were crowned U.S. Champions, winning their fourth and third consecutive titles, respectively. The 2025 U.S. Championships (Open and Women’s) were 12-player round-robins with a classical time control and a combined prize fund of $402,000. Held at the upgraded facilities of the Saint Louis Chess Club in St. Louis, Missouri, the tournaments attracted the strongest American players, with the exception of Hikaru Nakamura. The Open competition turned into a thrilling duel between Fabiano Caruana and Wesley So. Despite missing a win in their sixth-round clash, Caruana seized the lead in Round 9 and preserved it to the very end, securing his fifth national title with a score of 8/11. Wesley So finished a half-point behind the champion to take the silver medal. Levon Aronian completed the podium with 6.5/11; all three finished the event undefeated. The Women’s event followed an equally exciting script, with Anna Zatonskih, Carissa Yip, and Alice Lee sharing the lead with just two rounds to go. Yip finished strongly with two victories over Nazi Paikidze and Thalia Cervantes Landeiro to capture her fourth national title. Meanwhile, Anna Sargsyan pulled off two crucial wins over Zatonskih and Lee to claim the silver medal. Irina Krush scored 1.5 points in the final two rounds to secure the bronze. Photos: Saint Louis Chess Club / Lennart Ootes Official website: saintlouischessclub.org/event/2025-us-chess-championships/