Fourth leg of FIDE WGP 2024-2025 kicks off in Nicosia
The fourth leg of the 2024-25 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix kicked off this evening in the magnificent Nicosia Hilton Hotel, in the capital of Cyprus. Under the auspices of the International Chess Federation and Cyprus Chess Federation, the event runs from the 14th to the 25th of March, and will showcase the skills of ten of the best female players in the world. The opening ceremony began at 19:00 with the national anthem of the Republic of Cyprus, followed by the anthem of FIDE. Immediately afterward, FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky took the stage, welcoming everyone to the opening ceremony, and highlighted the significance of the tournament. “In the past two years, Cyprus has become one of the European chess hubs. We are delighted with our cooperation with the Cyprus Chess Federation and with our partner, Freedom, who are backing a number of important events all over the world. Our mission here is not only to stage a high-level event, but to lay a foundation and keep building on the previous work to make chess more popular, more accessible and more attractive to everyone.” Furthering their firm commitment to promoting chess in Cyprus, and supporting the event, Freedom Holding Corp CEO Timur Turlov, initiated his speech thanking the players for their participation and pointing out that it is a great honor to have them here. “I believe that the Cyprus role as interconnector of finance and chess will continue to grow. This is a country with very welcoming people, great weather, great cuisine, and with a lot of opportunities to enjoy and also focus on your business.” Turlov wished the players to be really focussed on their games but also have fun during their breaks and, if at all possible, visit other beautiful cities in Cyprus, such as Limassol. He was also very grateful to FIDE for their continued cooperation. “I am very thankful to FIDE for our partnership. We definitely share the same values and I believe that we will continue this cooperation through some new initiatives such as the International School Federation. I really see how prestigious this game is rising all over the world and how more and more people are being involved.” Finally, the President of the Cyprus Chess Federation, Criton Tornaritis, took the floor, welcoming all the players to Cyprus and highlighting the joint association with Freedom. “This is the second time we organize this tournament in Cyprus and I hope that there will be a third time. The most important thing for me is to enjoy some good games. Chess in Cyprus before Freedom was very poor. Now we have more than 2,000 members, most of them kids.” After the speeches, the attendees enjoyed the performance by a talented group of young dancers from Live Dance Studio, who brought a touch of energy and artistry to the ceremony. The evening culminated in a family group photo, with all the players on the stage joined by FIDE Secretary General and tournament director Lukasz Turlej and Takis Nikolopoulos, Chief Arbiter. Afterward, the guests had the chance to speak to the players, take photos, and enjoy the cocktail reception. The first round is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, at 3pm. As per rules, players representing the same federation must face each other at the start of the event. You can follow the games live and watch the action with our wonderful commentators GM Alik Gershon and WGM Anastasiya Karlovich on YouTube. Written by Michael Rahal Photos: Mark Livshitz Official website: womengrandprix.fide.com/
International Festival Baku Open 2025 announced
The Azerbaijan Chess Federation (ACF) is thrilled to announce the Baku Open 2025, an international chess festival celebrating the game and the rise of Azerbaijani talent. The event will take place at Baku Crystal Hall from April 27 (arrival) to May 6 (last round and closing ceremony). The festival features three tournament sections (A, B, and C)—all 9-round Swiss tournaments with classical time control: Tournament A: Open to players with a FIDE Elo rating above 2250 (Women: above 2100). Tournament B: Open to players with a FIDE Elo rating under 2250 (Women: under 2100). Tournament C: Open to young players with a FIDE Elo rating born in 2013 or earlier. Unrated players may be accepted at the ACF’s discretion. The total prize fund for the festival is $55,000, with $12,000 awarded to the winner of Tournament A. Additionally, the first 10 registered players with a FIDE Elo above 2650 (as of April 1, 2025) and women rated above 2450 will receive full board accommodation at the official festival hotel, Ibis Hotel. Exciting side events Simultaneous exhibition by a former World Champion Viswanathan Anand (April 27, 2025) The legendary Viswanathan Anand will showcase his exceptional skills in a simultaneous exhibition against some of Azerbaijan’s most talented young players. This is a rare opportunity to see a chess icon take on the future stars of Azerbaijani chess! Rapid match: Viswanathan Anand vs. Rauf Mamedov (April 28–29, 2025) A thrilling rapid match between Viswanathan Anand and the 2025 Azerbaijani Chess Champion promises an intense, fast-paced showdown. Blitz match: Viswanathan Anand vs. Rauf Mamedov (April 30, 2025) A high-energy blitz match between Viswanathan Anand and Azerbaijan’s third-rated player will deliver lightning-fast moves and an electrifying conclusion to this prestigious event. All side events will be held at the Museum of Carpet in Baku, a venue that beautifully blends culture and competition, providing a perfect stage for these exciting chess battles. We warmly invite chess enthusiasts and supporters from around the world to join us for this spectacular festival. Don’t miss this celebration of chess, talent, and tradition in Baku! Regulations for Baku Open 2025 (PDF) Official website: http://www.asf.org.az/
FIDE extends fee waiver for Rapid and Blitz through 2026
The FIDE Council has announced the extension of its rating fee waiver for all Rapid and Blitz tournaments through 2025-2026 The FIDE Council—the organization’s strategic and oversight body—stated that the decision aims to expand player participation and promotion of chess. These rating fees, covered by federations, are outlined in the Financial Regulations of the FIDE Handbook. According to the regulations, “All rated tournaments are subject to rating fees. The FIDE Council, at its sole discretion, may waive or reduce rating fees for Rapid and Blitz tournaments for a given year.” The fee waiver was first introduced for the 2021-2024 period. Since then, nearly 60,000 Rapid and Blitz tournaments have been rated (59,603), with the estimated waived fees exceeding €2.2 million. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich noted that this helps not only federations and organizers but also players. While rating fees are a source of revenue for FIDE, this waiver is widely welcomed by national federations as it supports both organizers and players,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. “We believe this is not the right time to impose additional financial burdens. Instead, federations can redirect these funds toward increased prize pools and greater opportunities for players—which is fantastic news for the chess community.” Nebojsa Baralic – an International Arbiter who has also organized many chess events in his native Serbia and the Balkans, welcomed the news of the decision to continue waiving the rating fees. “This initiative eases financial pressures on organizers and federations while encouraging more Rapid and Blitz events,” said International Arbiter Nebojsa Baralic. “Support like this is crucial for the growth of chess, especially in regions with limited resources. By reducing financial barriers, we can have more grassroots tournaments and create opportunities for players at all levels.” Baralic further highlighted the positive impact on arbiters and organizers: “With reduced financial constraints, we can focus more on the quality and accessibility of events, ensuring that our sport reaches a broader audience.” The decision has been added to the FIDE Handbook and takes effect immediately.
Qazaq Queens Chess Fest 2025: A global chess celebration
On March 7, 2025, Almaty became the focal point of the chess world as it hosted the Qazaq Queens Chess Fest 2025, a women’s blitz chess tournament organized by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess) with support from the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Dedicated to International Women’s Day, the tournament brought together 95 participants of various ages and skill levels, uniting them in a spirited competition for the championship title. More than just a sporting event, the tournament was a true celebration of intellect, artistry, and inspiration. The event was officially opened by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who made the symbolic first move, emphasizing the global significance of women’s chess and reinforcing support for the initiative. Later, the FIDE President had a productive meeting with top officials from KazChess, where they discussed joint projects both in Kazakhstan and internationally. He also fulfilled a long-standing promise by delivering a lecture at NARXOZ University. The rise of new Champions The tournament followed a 9-round Swiss system with a 3+2 time control. In a gripping battle, 13-year-old WFM Aiaru Altynbek emerged victorious scoring an impressive 8 points. Mariya Kholyavko secured second place, while 11-year-old Zhansaya Sholpanbek claimed third. All three winners are recipients of the Young Talent Support Programme scholarships. The tournament’s prize fund amounted to KZT 2 million (approximately $4,000), with the champion receiving KZT 500,000. Additional cash prizes were awarded to the top finishers and best players in various age categories. A Year of Triumph for Kazakhstan 2024 marked a historic milestone for Kazakhstan’s chess scene. Across international competitions, the country’s juniors, adults, and seniors won 160 medals, including 55 golds. The most remarkable achievement came from Kazakhstan’s women’s team, which secured silver medals at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest. These victories have inspired a new generation of female players, many of whom participated in the Qazaq Queens Chess Fest 2025. Supporting women’s chess Timur Turlov, President of KazChess, emphasized: “Kazakhstan’s women are shining brighter in chess than ever before in our country’s history. We witness their growing skill and professionalism each year. With their victories, they are paving a new path for Kazakhstan to reach the pinnacle of world chess. This motivates us to invest even more in supporting our remarkable female players. The Kazakhstan Chess Federation remains committed to expanding opportunities for women in chess. We will continue to nurture their talents and open new career prospects for them.” Chess and Art: When Boundaries Blur As part of the tournament, an art exhibition showcased paintings by Kazakhstan’s artist Aituar Amirkhanova, whose works explore themes of women’s experience and self-expression. A special guest at the event was Inessa Nazarova, titleholder of Mrs. Supermodel Worldwide 2019, who inspired participants with her motivational speech. Kazakhstan and the world: Women’s Chess without borders The Qazaq Queens Chess Fest 2025 became part of a global chess movement, with similar women’s tournaments taking place simultaneously in five countries: Wroclaw, Poland – IV Memoriał Apolonii Litwińskiej, honoring the legendary Polish chess player. Saint-Tropez, France – a simultaneous exhibition match with 24 opponents, led by the Ukrainian 15-year-old quad sisters, the Prochaievs. Nairobi, Kenya – the 3rd Queens Rapid Chess Tournament, the largest women’s chess competition in the region. Kampala, Uganda – the 4th Queens of Chess Rapid Chess Tournament, bringing together Africa’s strongest female players. Kazakhstan has reaffirmed its role as a key hub for women’s chess, and the Qazaq Queens Chess Fest 2025 has solidified its place in an international movement that unites women worldwide through the game of chess. Women are changing the chess world—and this is just the beginning.
Celebration of family, friends, and colleagues at Indonesia Chess Museum
By Peter Long There are few chess museums in various countries – Iceland, Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, Türkiye and now in Indonesia. Museum Catur Indonesia (Indonesia Chess Museum) was soft launched on 26th February 2025. Who are the people who made it happen? Peter Long, who was present at this event, shares everything about it with information and attractive photos. It is located together with Cafe Tutur at the Headquarters of the Utut Adianto Chess School (SCUA) in Bekasi, Indonesia, a FIDE Tier 1 Academy also founded by Eka Putra Wirya. Entrance to the Indonesian Chess Museum The soft launch of the Indonesia Chess Museum (ICM) on 26th February 2025 was indeed a celebration of family, friends, and colleagues of Eka Putra Wirja. ICM is of course located together with Cafe Tutur at the Headquarters of the Utut Adianto Chess School (SCUA) in Bekasi, a FIDE Tier 1 Academy also founded by Eka. Eka Putra Wirja Who is Eka Putra Wirja? To start with, one of the worst kept secrets of the Indonesian chess success of the last three decades, as he is recognized together with Senator GM Utut Adianto, Indonesia’s greatest ever player, as either the first or second of the two main pillars of a trio that includes FST Kristianus Liem. In a long ranging interview conducted with the official opening of ICM, we learned Eka’s story, and indeed how this might be the final piece of a strategic vision which begun in 1990. Post Catholic Mass family photo Remarkably, with family together with hundreds of friends and chess colleagues present, a special Catholic Mass was held to both inaugurate and bless the ICM and Cafe Tutur premises. Tributes then followed, from a member of SCUA management, this writer considered an old friend, a media representative, followed by the keynote address by Eka, after which came the speech and official opening by GM Adianto, also the President of the All Indonesian Chess Federation (PERCASI), and who had rushed back from official government work in China. GM Utut Adianto Media and guests then were taken through a guided tour before adjourning to lunch, and entertainment by a live band helmed by a former junior chess champion where many, including Eka joined the performances, while concurrently two clock simultaneous exhibitions took place with some of the best Indonesian young talent took on the two GM winners of the recently concluded Indonesia GM & IM Tournaments. Main Hall, Indonesian chess history display Eka was in his youth a promising young talent but the responsibilities of being the oldest son in a business family demanded he gave up his chess ambition, at least that of becoming a grandmaster. And yet, when visiting the FIDE World Championship Match in Singapore last year, he was still strong enough to beat former world women chess champion GM Xie Jun in a simultaneous exhibition. Instead, Eka decided to continue to support chess in Indonesia as both an official and as a patron, starting with leading the Indonesian team to the Manila Olympiad in 1990. He hooked up with a player he recognized as having exceptional talent, and convinced him to quit his job to take up chess full-time, and did exactly the same to a journalist who covered and wrote about chess with the same passion he had. Indonesian GM showcase Yes, the soon to become the three pillars of Indonesian chess was beginning to take shape. Adianto of course went on to be the poster boy of Indonesian chess, a top twenty grandmaster, who even when not playing for over ten years and in his 50s could still fill in on board one for a weaken Indonesian team at the Baku Olympiad and make an unbeaten 5/6 score. Liem on the other hand took the operating managing role at SCUA, initially started as Enerpac Chess School. SCUA outdoor signage It is without exaggeration that Eka and his two friends love chess and Indonesia more than anything, and that they were instrumental for every Indonesian success in the last ten years, every World and Asian Cadet, Schools, Youth, and Junior champion, for every grandmaster, international master, women grandmaster and international women grandmaster. Eka is even prouder that the success of SCUA together with the many events organized and sponsorship of national players and teams to international competitions has lifted many chess players out of abject poverty and to middle and even upper middle class lives and this is the simple explanation for the hundred from the chess community who came to the ICM soft opening. Jigsaw complete With ICM, something that no other Asian country has yet to see, Indonesian chess now has a showcase of both the history and achievements of their champions, and to serve as an inspiration to those to come after. But it also recognizes the contributions of individuals and corporations who have given so much to Indonesian chess, and offers a compelling reason for sponsors to come onboard. And finally, it positions chess in education, clearly not only articulating the benefits of chess to their young, but in collaboration with SCUA, also a means for implementation of schools and talent development programs. With ICM, Eka has perhaps put in the last piece of the jigsaw that has long been his vision for chess in Indonesia, together with old and like-minded friends Adianto and Liem. Photos: FM FT IA Peter Long
FIDE Circuit 2025: Ding Liren still leads, Praggnanandhaa closes in
Ding Liren continues to lead the FIDE Circuit 2025 with 40.64 points earned in the title match. However, his lead is no longer secure, as his competitors are closing in. Praggnanandhaa R gained 11.06 points by tying for second place in the Prague International Chess Festival 2025 – Masters, reducing the gap to just 4.5 points. Among other competitors, six tournaments counted toward the FIDE Circuit 2025 in February, brought a few new names into the top ten rankings. Photo: Petr Vrabec Aravindh Chithambaram emerged victorious in the Prague International Chess Festival 2025 – Masters, jumping to the third place in the circuit standings. The winner of the Djerba International Masters, Marc’Andria Maurizzi, earned 16.04 circuit points, then added another 5.88 points for his third-place finish in the Prague International Chess Festival 2025 – Challengers, climbing to fifth position. Ian Nepomniachtchi demonstrated his determination in the FIDE Circuit 2025 campaign by triumphing in a highly competitive Aeroflot Open, earning 18 points and rising to seventh place. Photo: Aeroflot Open Meanwhile, Anish Giri and Wei Yi, who shared second place with Praggnanandhaa R in the Prague International Chess Festival 2025 – Masters, each collected 11.06 points, securing their spots in the top ten. Just outside the top ten are the winner of Prague International Chess Festival 2025 – Challengers Nodirbek Yakubboev, Aydin Suleymanli, Mukhiddin Madaminov who caused a minor sensation by taking the Al-Beruniy Masters, Daniel Dardha and the newly crowned Azerbaijani Champion Rauf Mamedov. We maintain a dedicated page on our website for the FIDE Circuit 2025, offering the latest information on eligible tournaments, the current standings, and regulations. Visit: FIDE Circuit 2025
World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships return with record prize fund and new format
The World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships are back—bigger, bolder, and with a record-breaking €500,000 prize fund. After thrilling editions in Düsseldorf (2023) and Astana (2024), the event heads to London from June 10–16, introducing a new knockout stage in the Blitz Following the addition of the Blitz format in Astana 2024, this year’s edition introduces further improvements – a significantly increased prize fund and an extra day for the Blitz competition for the knock-outs. The championships will take place at Novotel London West Hotel (1 Shortlands Hammersmith International Ctre, London W6 8DR, United Kingdom). The total prize pool for 2025 jumps to €500,000, a significant increase from last year’s €350,000. The Rapid event will distribute €310,000, while the Blitz tournament’s prize fund rises to €190,000. Here’s how the prize money is allocated: Another notable change for this year is the addition of the second day of the Blitz. After a successful run of the Blitz in 2024, FIDE has decided to expand the competition by adding the separate second day for knock-out stage. Blitz games will follow the standard time control of three minutes plus two seconds per move, but the competition will now feature two distinct stages instead of one. In the first stage, teams will be grouped into pools of similar strength. Each pool will compete in a round-robin tournament, with a maximum of 16 teams advancing to the knockout stage. On the second day of the Blitz, the qualifiers from stage one will play a knock-out tournament, determining the winner. The rising interest in chess globally and in the UK Chess has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, both globally but also in the UK, where in recent years the government has also provided funding for the sport. For the first time in 30 years, the public broadcaster BBC will air a TV program dedicated to chess. The show will follow 12 of Britain’s rising stars of chess as they play against one another and explore the beauty of the game. “The growing popularity of chess in the UK and the global appeal of London as an international hub is one of the key reasons why we decided to bring the event here. The addition of another day for the Blitz competition and this substantial increase in the prize fund reflects the growing prestige of the competition and the continuing global interest in chess,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said. Team composition The event is open to any team that meets the official requirements, which have been designed to ensure there is an inclusive, level-playing field. Each team must have at least six and no more than nine players. This has to include at least one female player. Additionally, each team has to have one recreational player—defined as a participant who has never achieved a FIDE Standard, Rapid, or Blitz rating of 2000 Elo (or an equivalent national rating, as determined by FIDE’s Global Strategy Commission) up to and including the March 2025 rating lists. This rule is designed to encourage broader participation and give aspiring players a chance to compete alongside seasoned professionals. Additionally, each team must have a captain, who may also be one of the players. How to register for the event The forthcoming event in London is open to all and will see 60 teams take part – 10 based on their highest ratings and 45 based on earliest registration, with five wild card teams provided by the organizers. Teams wishing to participate need to apply by filling in a REGISTRATION FORM by May 10. Teams are required to register at least six players. Full event regulations and team participation requirements are available here: handbook.fide.com/files/handbook/WRTC2025Regulations.pdf The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships have a prominent place in the chess calendar and will offer a chance for top-tier Grandmasters and chess enthusiasts to play together, giving the public a chance to see the world’s best players in action. Official website: https://worldrapidblitzteams.fide.com/
FIDE Women’s Chess celebrations: A truly global movement
March is a time of reflection and celebration for women and girls worldwide. International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of resilience, achievements, and the ongoing pursuit of gender equality. This year, the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess (WOM) transformed this moment into a global movement—cooperating with organizers on 4 continents to host inspiring chess events that highlighted the role of women in the game and beyond. We have officially collaborated with organizers located in 4 continents: Kazakhstan (Asia), Kenia (Africa), Poland, France (Europe) and St. Lucia (Americas), who have been doing a remarkable job in their countries and beyond for years now, to promote chess for girls and women. Beyond these flagship events, the Chess Women’s Day Celebration – Strength, Community, Empowerment initiative called on organizers worldwide to hold chess events throughout March in honor of women and girls. Over 40 events in around 30 countries joined the movement, making this a truly global celebration. At the heart of our celebrations was the Qazaq Queens Chess Fest 2025. Kazakhstan: A grand stage for Women’s Chess The Qazaq Queens Chess Fest 2025, held in Almaty on March 7, was the largest of these events and had the special honor of being attended by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who made the ceremonial first move. Organized by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess) with FIDE’s support, the blitz tournament brought together 95 participants of all ages. The competition followed a 9-round Swiss format with a 3+2 time control, and 13-year-old WFM Aiaru Altynbek triumphed with 8 points. The top three finishers, all recipients of the Young Talent Support Programme scholarships, shared in the event’s KZT 2 million ($4,000) prize fund. The tournament also featured an art exhibition by Kazakh artist Aituar Amirkhanova, whose works explored themes of women’s experiences and self-expression. Special guest Inessa Nazarova, Mrs. Supermodel Worldwide 2019, inspired participants with a motivational speech, reinforcing the theme of empowerment. Kazakhstan continues to shine as a hub for women’s chess, and the Qazaq Queens Chess Fest, reinforcing the role of the game in gender equality. Kenya: A community-driven success In Nairobi, Kenya, we proudly supported the Queen’s Tournament on March 8. The event attracted an impressive 43 female players, including a 7-year-old girl, the youngest participant, who was recognized with a medal. The event, played on DGT boards and FIDE-rated, awarded trophies to the top three players and medals to 11 others. Notably, a group of chess moms stepped up to sponsor additional cash prizes, demonstrating how the chess community can empower and support one another. This grassroots initiative ensured a highly competitive and rewarding experience for the participants, embodying the spirit of unity and encouragement in women’s chess. Poland: Nurturing future champions The IV Memoriał Apolonii Litwińskiej, part of a big Women’s Chess Festival in Wrocław, Poland, was a key event celebrating Women’s Chess. The Festival had an honor of being attented by Łukasz Turlej, FIDE Secretary General, who opened the closing ceremony of the event and presented awards to the winners. Supported by WOM, the tournament featured top Polish junior players, many of whom are national champions and world championship medalists. The event allowed young talents to compete alongside women grandmasters like Alina Kashlinskaya, Teodora Injac, and Aleksandra Malcewska. The top 8 juniors advanced to the finals on March 9, where Varvara Matskevich emerged victorious, defeating Kaja Rządzkowska. Beyond competition, organizers and WOM provided an enriching experience with a special workshop led by mental coach Hanna Rychlik, who works with top athletes, including Poland’s No. 2 female chess player, Klaudia Kulon. The interactive session focused on confidence, handling pressure, and overcoming challenges in professional sports. Additionally, all participating girls took part in a chess-themed photo shoot, making them feel like stars both on and off the board. France: A chess showcase in Saint-Tropez The event in Saint-Tropez, France, was held under the theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment”, organized by Club d’Échecs de Saint-Tropez in cooperation with WOM. A unique simultaneous exhibition took place in the beautiful garden of the Annonciade Museum, featuring the Prochaieva sisters—Alina, Tina, Yelyzaveta, and Olha—quadruplet refugees from Kyiv, Ukraine. Facing off against local players from Saint-Tropez and the Côte d’Azur region, the sisters’ participation was a poignant symbol of resilience and hope. Every participant received a commemorative diploma, medal, flowers, and a participation gift, reinforcing the spirit of appreciation and inclusion in chess. Americas: Honoring women’s contributions to chess In the Americas, Tris-Ann Richards, President of the St. Lucia Chess Federation and a new national champion, hosted a special event that celebrated the achievements of women in chess. The session featured Francisco Cruz, Chair of the FIDE America Diversity Commission, and Sonja Johnson, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Chess Federation, who shared insights on how women can access opportunities in the chess world. A special award was presented to Vernessa James in recognition of her contributions to the St. Lucia Chess Federation, further emphasizing the importance of honoring women’s leadership and dedication to the game. The event was hosted online and locally, allowing everyone to join the lectures, and celebrations, via zoom. A global celebration of Women’s Chess This year’s Chess Women’s Day Celebration proved that chess can be a powerful force for empowerment, unity, and recognition of women’s achievements. FIDE WOM Chair Anastasia Sorokina reflected on the success of the global initiative: “March is a time of celebrations of women, and this year we introduced a true chess Marathon to celebrate Women’s Chess. As Chair of WOM, I am extremely happy to see so many devoted, talented, and unique people have been involved in our initiative worldwide. Our mission is to attract as many women as possible to the incredibly diverse world of chess—not just as players, but also as arbiters, trainers, journalists, and organizers. Projects like Chess4All & All4Chess and the Queens’ Challenge show women how incredible they are and how many opportunities chess offers them. With so many federations supporting us in this March in a global movement to celebrate Women’s Month, I am sure we are moving in the
History of Chess960
Robert James Fischer went down in chess history not only as a great champion but also as an author and a popularizer of Chess960, also known as Fischer Random Chess. On the 82nd anniversary of the 11th World Champion’s birth, we publish a piece on the chess variant that bears his name. Early contributions The concept of random chess, also known as shuffle chess, was first proposed by the Dutch chess enthusiast Philip Julius van Zuylen van Nijevelt (1743-1826). In his renowned treatise on chess, La Supériorité aux Échecs, published in 1792, Van Zuylen van Nijevelt articulated his disdain for the repetitive patterns often found in standard chess openings. He proposed the idea of randomizing the starting positions of the main pieces to create a vast array of unique starting positions, eliminating the possibility of pre-game memorization or extensive opening theory. This early conception of random chess by Van Zuylen van Nijevelt laid the foundation for Chess960. The earliest documented games of shuffle chess were played between Van der Hoeven and Alexandre in Mannheim in 1842. One of these games is preserved in Sissa, the Netherlands’ first long-standing chess journal, demonstrating an initial position with two advanced pawns on each side. A later game played by Van der Hoeven was against Baron von der Lasa (1818-1899), adhering more closely to the contemporary rules of random chess, except for the monochromatic bishop pairs. Following Van der Hoeven’s visit, the Sissa Chess Society received an invitation from the Philidor Chess Society in Amsterdam, in collaboration with Van der Hoeven, to organize a shuffle chess tournament. Originally intended as a tournament among the eight prize winners of the 1851 Philidor-organized event, logistical challenges led to invitations being extended to other chess societies. Ultimately, a tournament with seven players from Amsterdam, along with the 74-year-old Van der Hoeven, was organized. Maarten Van’t Kruijs emerged as the winner of the tournament, reinforcing the growing sentiment that the removal of opening theory allows true chess talent to shine. Bronstein and Benko’s support Just as the Dutch inventors of Shuffle chess back in the 18th century, World Champion Challenger David Bronstein promoted the same idea in the late 1940s, and then later Pal Benko in the 1970s. They referred to it by various names such as: Placement Chess, Pre-Chess, Shuffle-Chess. In the variant promoted by Bronstein and Benko, the game starts with white and black pawns set as usual, but the initial position of other pieces is selected by the players. The two players place their pieces alternately, one at a time. White first places one of his pieces on his first rank, and then Black does the same. Players continue to alternate in this manner until all pieces have been placed, with the only restriction being that bishops must be on opposite-color squares. The game then proceeds in the usual way. Strategic chess thinking therefore begins with the first placements of pieces. Yet, the essence of the game remains the same, as the pieces move as usual as in traditional chess, and the game similarly ends with checkmate. Fischer’s influence and the evolution of Shuffle-Chess to Chess960 The year after Bobby Fischer returned to chess in 1992 for a second match versus Boris Spassky, he moved to Budapest at the suggestion of Susan Polgar. For nearly a year, he was a regular visitor to the Polgar family. He sought the help of Susan Polgar to better the rules of Shuffle-Chess. They spent a lot of time discussing and experimenting with various versions of the rules, which at times was joined by Pal Benko. Fischer’s goal was to eliminate what he considered the complete dominance of opening preparations in classical chess, and replacing it with creativity and talent. Like others before him, Fischer believed that eliminating memorized book moves would level the playing field. In those days, Fischer and Susan Polgar initially played by the Shuffle-Chess rules promoted by Bronstein and Benko. There were three key points of debates: if the pieces should be required to be positioned symmetrically; if castling should be part of the game, and if so, in which exact form; and if Bishops can start on any square, or with the restriction of starting on opposite-colored squares. The Final Rules by Fischer and Susan Polgar Fischer and Susan Polgar concluded the following: – Castling should be incorporated into the rules (by requiring the King to start somewhere in between the two Rooks), and the King and Rook would end up in their traditional castling positions. – Bishops must start the game on opposite color squares, as in traditional chess. – The pieces from both sides should be set up symmetrically. Back then, it was originally known as “Fischerandom” or “Fischerandom chess”, the name given by Fischer himself. While in Budapest, Fischer consulted mathematicians to figure out how many such piece arrangements were possible. The answer was 960, which as far as he was concerned, was enough to prevent players from planning their opening moves in advance. Hence, the name Chess960. Fischer Random Chess was formally introduced to the public on June 19, 1996, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Here is a link to all possible 960 starting positions: https://web.archive.org/web/20070402110500/http://www.playchess960.com/images/AllPositionsChess960.gif Chess 960 Tournaments There have been many Chess960 tournaments held since the first one which was held in Kaniza, Yugoslavia, in the spring of 1996. Some of the most notable ones were: The Mainz Championship series 2001-2009, organized by Hans-Walter Schmitt. In the Battle of the Sexes match, which took place in Lindsborg, Kansas between Anatoly Karpov and Susan Polgar, 2 games of the Chess960 variant were included, ended with one win for each player. The first edition of the European Fischer Random Cup was held in Reykjavík on March 9, 2018, on Fischer’s 75th birthday. In February 2018, a Chess960 match between former classical World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen and the unofficial Fischer Random Chess world champion Hikaru Nakamura was held in Høvikodden, Norway. The match consisted of 8 rapid and 8
Salome Melia to replace Lela Javakhishvili in FIDE WGP India
IM Lela Javakhishvili, Georgia’s nominee, has withdrawn from the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix India for personal reasons. In accordance with WGP regulations, she will be replaced by IM Salome Melia (pictured above), who is now set to compete in the fifth leg of the series. A native of Batumi, Georgia, Melia won the European Under-18 Girls Championship twice, in 2004 and 2005. She also claimed silver at the Women’s European Individual Chess Championship in 2013 and bronze in 2014. A two-time Georgian Women’s Champion (2008 and 2010), she has represented her country in multiple Chess Olympiads, including the 45th edition in Budapest. Additionally, she was a member of the gold medal-winning Georgian team at the 2015 Women’s World Team Chess Championship in Chengdu. The fifth leg of the FIDE WGP 2024–25 will take place in India from April 13 to 24, with Salome Melia replacing Lela Javakhishvili in the draw. The full pairings can be found below: FIDE Women’s Grand Prix India 2025 Pairings (PDF) FIDE WGP official website: https://womengrandprix.fide.com/ Photo: Anna Shtourman