Prague Chess Festival 2024 kicks off in Czech capital
The sixth edition of the Prague Chess Festival, the strongest chess event played these days, featuring three Indian Candidates 2024 participants, commenced in the capital of the Czech Republic. The main star of the opening gala night was the 15th world champion and FIDE Vice-President Vishy Anand. Together with the Chairman of the Senate of the Czech Republic, Miloš Vystrčil, he opened the 6th Prague Chess Festival with an exhibition game. The gala night started with a magical light show at the Hotel Don Giovanni Prague. The festival ambassador Vishy Anand reminisced about his visit to Prague 22 years ago during his opening remarks and wished all the participants good luck. Miloš Vystrčil also shared his enthusiasm for the royal game and demonstrated his chess skills in the subsequent exhibition game. Mathematician and social innovator Karel Janeček talked about the advantages of the Decision 21 voting system. The public can try this multiple-vote system when choosing the best game of the round every day of the festival. You can vote on the best chess games online on the platform Decision 21. The opening ceremony was also attended by the chairman of the Chess Association of the Czech Republic Martin Petr, the president of the 1st Novoborsk Chess Club Roman Mužík, FIDE Secretary General Lukasz Turlej, Shri Hemant H. Kotalwar, Ambassador to the Czech Republic, the representatives of partners and participants of the Masters, Challengers and Futures tournaments. The Masters, Challengers and Futures tournaments are 10-player round-robins with classical time control, so we are in for 15 exciting games every round. The games start at 15:00. Don’t hesitate to come and see them in person at the Don Giovanni Hotel. The drawing lots for both tournaments took place right after the opening ceremony. MASTERS CHALLENGERS FUTURES Photos: Petr Vrabec Official website: praguechessfestival.com/ Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube
FIDE Chess School Award established
FIDE Education Commission is pleased to announce its new initiative: the launch of the FIDE Chess School Award. The award is established to enhance the quality and position of chess in the primary and secondary education systems around the world. We wish to provide recognition and motivation for existing Chess in Education activities and programs in schools through a certification process. The second objective is to inspire new schools to increase their level of involvement in educational chess. The FIDE Chess School Award provides an effective means to achieve these goals. Photo: Vincent Masole, FIDE School Instructor in Botswana Schools with inclusive programs that involve most of their students, many from varying abilities and backgrounds, have an excellent chance of receiving the award. Schools that celebrate diversity and demonstrate high social awareness in their communities, with a focus on commitment and shared interest between students, educators, and parents for a holistic, game-based approach to education beyond the traditional academic subjects, will also be granted the award. Several aspects of school chess are examined. There are ten questions altogether, and applicants are asked to answer each question in as much detail as possible and provide supporting evidence. Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards can be obtained depending on meeting all or some of the criteria. Applications are accepted in English, Spanish, Russian, and German languages, and we may add additional languages in the future. The application fee for the award is €150. Two application cycles are planned in each year. In the current cycle, applications are invited until March 31, with the awards announced in June. Please apply via the FIDE EDU website. For more information, see the FIDE Handbook or write to education@fide.com. Here are some reasons for applying:
FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship 2024: Registration is open
FIDE invites you to participate in the 2024 World Corporate Chess Championship, aimed at companies and corporations from across the world. Registration is now open on the 2024 World Corporate Chess Championship official website. Chess and business share similarities in strategic thinking, decision-making, competition, and the need for effective planning. Both involve navigating complex environments where individuals or companies must assess risks, seize opportunities, and formulate tactics to achieve their objectives. In both realms, success often hinges on the ability to analyze situations, make informed decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances. That is why bringing people from the world of business to chess makes sense! The inaugural World Corporate Chess Championship was held in 2021 and was completely online. The event witnessed a surge in interest from the business world, with participation from industry giants such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Facebook, Samsung, Ford, and others. The competition brought together 1,262 players representing 288 companies from 52 countries. Grenke Bank team emerged victorious, taking the title. This year’s edition will feature an over-the-board final, with top teams meeting in New York to decide the winner. Who can take part The event is open to teams representing legally recognized companies from all around the world. A participating company can register more than one team, with each team consisting of four members plus a team captain (who may or may not also be a player on the team). Every team has a right to have one invited player who is not directly employed at the company or a member of the board, while all other team members have to be working for/on the board of the company. In any round at any stage of the competition, each team must have at least one male and one female player playing. To ensure a level playing field, each team may only have one player whose FIDE standard rating exceeds 2400 (according to the January 2024 FIDE Rating list). The qualifying stages The FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship will consist of three stages: Online Qualifiers (played on Lichess.org) Online Knockout (played on Lichess.org) The Finals (played over-the-board at the grand finale in New York in June) The Online Qualifiers will be played in two different formats – Rapid (six rounds, played with a time limit of 10 minutes plus 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1) and Blitz (eight rounds, played at a time limit of 5 minutes plus 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1). The Online Qualifiers will be played as Team Swiss System tournaments. The team’s score shall be calculated as a sum of gamepoints. Each team will score 1 gamepoint for each game won, and ½ gamepoint for each game drawn, and 0 gamepoints for each game lost. The qualifier stages will take place on the following dates: Date Time Time control March 16 14:00 – 18:00 UTC Blitz March 17 14:00 – 18:00 UTC Rapid March 23 06:00 – 10:00 UTC Blitz March 24 22:00 – 02:00 UTC Rapid April 6 14:00 – 18:00 UTC Blitz April 7 06:00 – 10:00 UTC Rapid April 13 22:00 – 02:00 UTC Blitz April 14 14:00 – 18:00 UTC Rapid The top 8 teams in each qualifier’s final rankings will advance to the Online Knockout Stage. The knockouts will be organized on Saturday, April 20, between 14:00 and 18:00 UTC. The Finals will take place in New York on June 14-17. They will be played between eight winners of the Online Knockout Stage. The event will feature a group stage and a playoff stage. The prize Teams reaching the finals have their travel and accommodation expenses in New York covered. The winner will get FIDE’s recognition as the smartest company in the world. Players of the winning team will receive one Von Doren GRANDMASTER MARK II, WATCH. By taking a number of subtle style cues from chess, The Grandmaster Mark II pays tribute to the game that has captivated legions of followers for well over a millennium. The dial is steel white with a hint of shimmer, and the outer edge is decorated with a refined guilloché pattern as well as raised indexes in silver. Contrasted by cobalt blue lancet-shaped hands, the Grandmaster Mark II provides unbeatable readability. The Swiss Made STP 1-11 movement is visible through the caseback and is protected by a case of polished stainless steel and a double domed sapphire crystal. Delivered on an Italian handmade brown leather strap. Limited to 300 pieces. For more information see: vondoren.com/grandmaster-mark-ii Additionally, teams reaching the finals secure four seats each for an online simultaneous chess game against a participant of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024. Every participating team/corporate gets a digital diploma for participating. Regulations for World Corporate Chess Championship 2024 Official website
From Board to Wardrobe: Official FIDE Online Store Launched
FIDE is thrilled to announce the launch of its official online store! This digital storefront offers exclusive FIDE-branded merchandise, limited-edition collections, and much more. At the heart of the FIDE online shop is the desire to celebrate and share the rich heritage of chess and FIDE with the world. The store will feature products that embody the game’s spirit and history, allowing fans to connect with it on a more personal level. From stylish clothing and accessories to a special FIDE100 collection commemorating the federation’s centenary, there is something for everyone. From funky emojis to the historical Alekhine-Capablanca match, there is a lot to choose from! Fans can look forward to acquiring branded goodies from FIDE’s flagship events, starting with the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships. We have already shared our excitement for the line-up of events for the year, and you best believe that each tournament will have its own special merchandise. Additionally, in an exciting offering for collectors and fans alike, the FIDE online shop will also feature a range of items signed by some of the most prominent stars in the world of chess. As FIDE continues to promote chess and support its global community, the launch of the online shop marks a significant milestone in its mission. Whether you’re a seasoned player, a casual fan, or simply searching for a unique gift, the FIDE store has something for everyone. Understanding the global love for chess, we’ve ensured that our online shop caters to fans from every corner of the globe, offering worldwide shipping and various payment options to make your shopping experience seamless and enjoyable. We invite you to explore the FIDE online shop, immerse yourself in the world of chess, and join us in celebrating the game’s enduring legacy in the most stylish way. Visit shop.fide.com/ today. Don’t miss out! The first 64 customers get a 10% discount with the code “PLAYCHESS” at checkout.
World Cadet U8, U10 and U12 Rapid & Blitz Championship: Registration deadline extended
FIDE and the Albanian Chess Federation cordially invite all young players to participate in the World Cadet U8, U10 and U12 Rapid & Blitz Championship, which will be held in Durres, Albania from April 25-29. The playing hall is located in the official hotel of the Championship: Grand Blue FAFA Resort 5*. Registration is open until March 15, 2024, via the following link: worldcadetrb2024.fide.com/registration/ By now, players representing 42 federations have registered in the competition. Schedule Full regulations for the Cadet World Championship and all the details are available on the official website: worldcadetrb2024.fide.com/
Mitropa Cup 2024: Germany wins double gold
The 2024 Mitropa Cup took place from February 15-23 in Apolda, Germany, with the participation of 10 federations: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. The event is played in Open and Women’s sections separately. Both competitions were 10-team round-robins with classical time control. Germany emerged as the Winner of both Open and Women’s sections, winning a historical double gold. Scoring perfect 18 match points, the German team convincingly won the Open event with a round to spare. Germany fielded the following line-up: GM Bluebaum, Matthias (GER, 2658)GM Svane, Rasmus (GER, 2632)GM Donchenko, Alexander (GER, 2636)GM Kollars, Dmitrij (GER, 2619)GM Svane, Frederik (GER, 2618) Switzerland clinched silver with the score of 14 match points; Czech Republic took bronze with 12 match points. German Women’s Team netted 16 match points to emerge as the winner of the Women’s section. With only two draws in the tournament, Germany finished two match points ahead of the runner-up French team. The composition of the Winning team was: WGM Heinemann, Josefine (GER, 2328)WGM Schneider, Jana (GER, 2320)WGM Hanna Marie Klek (GER, 2279)FM Schulze, Lara (GER, 2308)WIM Dolzhykova, Kateryna (GER, 2255) France clinched silver medal scoring 14 match points, while Switzerland came third with the score of 12 match points. Final standings of both sections can be found here. Written by europechess.org/ Official website: mitropacup2024.de/ Photos: Klaus Jager About the Mitropa Cup: The Mitropa Cup is the annual team chess tournament for national teams from Central Europe. The traditional team event this year brings together 10 nations competing against each other in an Open and a Women section on 4 boards each. Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland. The event commenced in 1976 in Innsbruck.
Queens’ Chess Festival 2024: Registration continues
Hundreds of female players from all continents have already registered for the upcoming Queens’ Online Chess Festival, a series of continental women’s online blitz tournaments that will take place from March 09-30, 2024, on the Tornelo online platform. The initiative of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess was launched in 2021 and is now one of the biggest online chess events for female players. The festival welcomes all women chess players from around the world of all ages and all rating groups, including unrated chess enthusiasts. Participation is free of charge. The main prizes of the Queens’ Online Chess Festival are worth fighting for. Like in the previous edition, the winners of the World Queens’ Open 2024 and Princess’ Tournament (both U9 and U16 ) will be invited to the 45th World Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest, Hungary, this September. Air tickets, full-board accommodation for three days and invitations to the Opening Ceremony of the Chess Olympiad 2024 for the winner and one accompanying person will be covered. Queens’ Women Open Tournament Registration form: forms.gle/Bs9swcu5zkuEY4T87 Registration deadlines: Africa – March 02, 2024 Europe – March 03, 2024 Asia – March 09, 2024 Americas – March 10, 2024 The qualification tournaments and semi-finals will be 9 or 11-round Swiss tournaments with 3+2 time control, depending on the number of participants, while the final will be a round-robin with 5+5 time control (7 rounds). Unrated Princesses’ Tournament Registration form: forms.gle/gqSM1nkUfR6m1LhWA Registration deadline: March 17, 2024 Unrated players U16 (born on 01.01.2008 or later) can play in both the Queens’ Women’s Open tournament and the Unrated Princesses’ tournament.
List of Open Tournaments to receive FIDE Aid Packages 2024
Following a successful implementation of the FIDE Aid Package for Opens in 2022 and 2023, the program was extended for the year 2024. The total amount of Aid Package Program 2024 reached €200,000. This impressive amount will be distributed among multiple tournaments across four continents selected by FIDE. In the historic year of FIDE’s 100th anniversary, we are excited to announce the tournaments to receive the FIDE Aid Packages 2024. The list in pdf and docx formats can be found below. With some applications still being processed, several tournaments may be added later. List of selected Opens Tournaments 2024 (pdf)List of selected Opens Tournaments 2024 (docx)
Georgian Women’s Championship: Lela Javakhishvili wins fifth title
Lela Javakhishvili emerged as the winner of the Georgian Women’s Championship 2024. One of the most titled Georgian chess players, Lela clinched her fifth national title. She previously won this event in 2001, 2007, 2014 and 2016. The Georgian Women’s Chess Championship 2024, a 10-player round-robin with classical time control, took place from February 9-18 in the country’s capital Tbilisi. As is often the case in Georgian Women’s championships, it was a very close race among the top-rated players and the members of the national team IM Lela Javakhishvili, GM Nino Batsiashvili, IM Meri Arabidze and GM Bella Khotenashvili. Lela Javakhishvili delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 7.5/9. Most importantly, the native of Telavi defeated her main rivals, Nino Batsiashvili and Meri Arabidze, in the direct encounters to clinch the title. The champion became the only unbeaten player in the event. Nino Batsiashvili (7/9) and Meri Arabidze (6.5/9) stayed in the contest for the most part but could not keep up with the champion and took silver and bronze, respectively. Final standings: 1 IM Javakhishvili, Lela 2438 7½ 2 GM Batsiashvili, Nino 2447 7 3 IM Arabidze, Meri 2461 6½ 4 GM Khotenashvili, Bella 2464 6 5 IM Melia, Salome 2355 4 6 WFM Mgeladze, Kesaria 2040 4 7 WCM Tsetskhladze, Mariam 1881 3 8 Donghvani, Nia 2029 2½ 9 WFM Lomaia, Diana 2001 2½ 10 WFM Kirtadze, Anastasia 2089 2 Photos: Georgian Chess Federation Facebook
African Amateur Individual Championship 2022 gets underway in Kenya
The seventh edition of the African Amateur Individual Chess Championship is taking place at the Mombasa Continental Resort, Kenya. The event attracted a total of 93 players from 15 federations, the highest attendance in the event since its inception in 2015 in Matola, Mozambique. The Open section has three groups: the U2300, U2000 and U1700, while the Ladies’ section has the U1700 and a combined U2300 & U2000. In round two, 17-year-old wonderboy Robert “McLigeyo” Oluka, rated 1786 took an early lead as he upset top seed FIDE Master (FM) Abubaker Tagelsir of Sudan, rated 2231 in the toughest section, the Under 2300 open. McLigeyo is fresh from the African Junior Chess Championship in Algeria earlier this month, where he finished 5th overall in the open section tying on points with the third and fourth players losing out on tie-break points. In the combined 12-player sections of women Under 2000 and 2300, the reigning Kenya National Chess Champion Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Sasha Mongeli maintained the lead with maximum points in a category Kenya is highly tipped to scoop big fielding a total of seven players. Sasha stopped Uganda’s Milly Takali and Zambia’s Naomi Mwale in rounds one and two, respectively. In the Under 2000 open section, the eighth seed Faruk Karim Kizza of Uganda, is in the lead with maximum points in the 22-player section that includes second seed Kenya reigning men champion Martin Njoroge. Njoroge, rated 1973, survived a very bad position to force a draw against Sudan’s Hussain Abdalla, rated 1889, to place seventh currently with 1.5 points in the 9-round event. In the women Under 1700 category, top seed Olympiad debutant Jully Mutisya of Kenya is in the lead with maximum points and faces second seed Safinah Mugide of Uganda in round three. In the Under 1700 open section, the 34-player tournament the third seed Calvin Ntumwa of Uganda grabbed the lead after scoring two straight victories. In round two, there was a major upset when Kenya’s Zadock Nyakundi, rated 1569 beat the top seed Leornard Nghifikwe of Namibia, rated 1699, to obtain a precious win and Elo rating points. Other upsets in round two were Kenya’s 16-year-old Candidate Master (CM) Aguda Lwanga (1575) holding the second seed Dahir Mahad (1695) of Somalia and Kenya’s rising 14-year-old Jamie Kanango (1357) toppling his experienced compatriot Thomas Nzioki (1662). In round three action among top games, veteran CM Benjamin Magana faces Ugandan FM and second seed Haruna Nsubuga on Board 1, and Oluka plays compatriot Samuel Wafula on Board 2. In women Under 2300, Sasha takes on WFM Gloria Nansubuga of Uganda on Board 1, while Kenya’s 2021 World Amateur Woman Under 1700 champion Madelta Glenda is pitted against Linda Shaba of Zimbabwe on Board 2. Text and photos: Chess Kenya