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.”