From June 2 to 15, La Versiliana will host Chess Roads – an exhibition of 40 rare and original chess sets from Asia and Europe. On June 1, the event will open with a match between Faustino Oro and Viswanathan Anand: the youngest titled chess player in the world versus the legendary former World Champion.
Chess Roads – The Exhibition
Chess Roads – The Exhibition at La Versiliana, Italy, invites you on a mesmerizing journey across continents and centuries. On display are 40 rare and original chess sets from Asia and Europe crafted in ivory, bronze, and wood, spanning from the 1700s to today. This is not just a showcase of objects, but a journey into the extraordinary variety of forms, materials, and meanings chess has taken on through different cultures.
Curated by Corrado Ciano, one of Italy’s leading collectors, and Giovanni Longo, a visionary cultural designer, the exhibition is a journey through aesthetics, history, and creativity. It culminates in a dramatic finale; a chessboard designed by renowned artist Enrico Baj, symbolizing the boundless creativity of chess.
Ciano, born in Turin and based in Milan, discovered the game through his father and became captivated by it during the legendary 1972 Fischer–Spassky match. What began as a passion evolved into a remarkable collection, now revealed to the public for the very first time. Giovanni Longo adds a contemporary and symbolic dimension to the exhibition, enriching the display with works that explore the relationship between art and play. The exhibition culminates with an iconic chessboard created by Enrico Baj, symbolising the creative freedom and artistic depth of the chess world.
Clash of Generations
Preceding the exhibition, on Sunday, June 1, a spectacular match will take place between 10-year-old Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro and 5x World Champion Viswanathan Anand. A symbolic and thrilling “David vs. Goliath” encounter, the match recalls some of the most epic generational duels in chess history.
Organized by Unichess and conceived by Grandmaster Roberto Mogranzini and passionate chess lover Andrea Bocelli, the match will shine an international spotlight on this corner of Tuscany. Chess.com, the global platform with over 160 million registered users, will broadcast the match in three languages, reaching a worldwide audience of enthusiasts.
The event opens with a carriage parade from Forte dei Marmi and Pietrasanta to Villa La Versiliana—symbolically crossing the territory that will host this celebration of chess, the third most played sport in India and one of the most practiced globally, with over 650 million players.
Following the match, the winner will face twenty guests in a simultaneous exhibition. The entire event will be hosted by none other than Andrea Bocelli, a Versilia local and chess aficionado, who will welcome guests to this exclusive, invitation-only event for a select international and Italian audience of chess lovers.
Organisers, partners, and public authorities have expressed deep enthusiasm for the project:
“Since its beginning—now in its 46th edition—La Versiliana has offered refined entertainment, reflection, dialogue, and constant innovation for both locals and visitors who choose Versilia as their beloved destination. It’s in the DNA of one of Italy’s longest-running festivals to seek renewal. The chess world and its sporting culture represent a new path we’re excited to explore—looking to the future and working with excellence. That’s why we immediately embraced Andrea Bocelli and Roberto Mogranzini’s idea to organize an exhibition of exquisite chessboards and to welcome world-class players and amateurs from around the globe. The aim is to make Pietrasanta and Versilia an international chess hub. I thank Andrea Bocelli and Roberto Mogranzini for creating this opportunity to engage stakeholders and chess lovers worldwide in our cultural journey.”
– Paola Rovellini, President of the Versiliana Foundation
“Never before, in this fragile historical moment, has sports culture served as such a hopeful bridge between people and communities. The Municipality of Pietrasanta is proud to support this beautiful initiative at La Versiliana, a cultural beacon for over 40 summers. The exhibition will be appreciated by residents and tourists alike, and the match—broadcast globally—will be a remarkable promotional vehicle for Versilia. Pietrasanta confirms itself as a cultural powerhouse.”
– Alberto Stefano Giovannetti, Mayor of Pietrasanta
“What better place to merge sport and culture? For Andrea and me, Versilia and its festival were the natural choice. This will be a unique event for those who view chess not just as a game, but as an intellectual discipline uniting art, science, and strategy. The match between legends Vishy Anand and Faustino Oro will recall epic past duels like Kasparov vs. Carlsen, and the exhibition—curated by Corrado Ciano and Giovanni Longo—will be an aesthetic journey through time. The final piece, a chessboard by Enrico Baj, pays tribute to Pietrasanta’s devotion to contemporary art.”
– Roberto Mogranzini, President of Unichess
“As President of the Italian Chess Federation, I’m proud to endorse the Pietrasanta, Versilia Chess Roads project, which celebrates chess as both a competitive sport and an international showcase of art and culture. The exhibition of historic boards from the 1700s to today and the legendary match between Viswanathan Anand and the young prodigy Faustino Oro show how Italy can tell its story to the world through the universal language of chess—with elegance, history, and passion.”
– Luigi Maggi, President of the Italian Chess Federation
“The Clash of Generations match between Anand and Oro and the exhibition of some of the world’s finest chessboards, held at La Versiliana, are important for many reasons—not least for offering families a unique chance to spend meaningful time together. I hope to attend this beautiful initiative, and I thank and congratulate Mayor Alberto Giovannetti, Paola Rovellini, and the entire Versiliana Foundation for this inspiring project.”
– Daniela Santanchè, Minister of Tourism
“I’m thrilled that a special project I’ve envisioned with friends has come to life in the best way. It combines my passion for chess with my love for my Versilia. In Marina di Pietrasanta, we’ll host a private match celebrating the encounter—and clash—between generations: a grand chess duel between two extraordinary champions. The world will be watching Versilia. Alongside the match, we’ll have a unique exhibition of chessboards from different eras and regions, a fascinating journey through the game’s cultural and historical richness. It’s an honor to be part of it. Don’t miss it—see you at Villa La Versiliana!”
– Andrea Bocelli
“The most forward-thinking regions understand that tourism is a global competition. They must evolve, organize, and offer enriching experiences to travelers increasingly seeking authenticity and meaningful engagement with host communities. Chess tourism is booming, which is why I view the Pietrasanta and Versilia Chess Roads project as a fantastic opportunity for destination marketing. As Mayor of Forte dei Marmi and head of the Versilia Tourism Council, I proudly support those who serve the community with vision and integrity.”
– Bruno Murzi, Mayor of Forte dei Marmi for Versilia Tourism Area
Chess Roads is a celebration of history and imagination, and a symbol of how chess continues to connect people across generations and geographies. The match between Faustino Oro and Vishy Anand will be watched by fans worldwide, while the exhibition invites reflection on the timeless and artistic legacy of the game. For more information, visit: fondazioneversiliana.it/chess-roads/