Newly revised “Preparation of Lecturers” course announced
Dear Chess Friends, Are you ready to take your teaching skills to the next level and prepare other educators for the introduction of Educational Chess in their practices? Or perhaps your ambition is to lead FIDE Preparation of Teachers courses that award the FIDE School Instructor title? If so, then the freshly revised FIDE Preparation of Lecturers (PoL) course is for you! Mark Your Calendars: July 19-21 Where: Online, in English Duration: 15 hours The new updated PoL course offers a two-tier qualification: Lead School Instructor (LSI): The first tier of qualification enables lecturers to train colleagues and award participation certificates to participants. Join us on July 19-21 for this part of the course. Senior Lead Instructor (SLI): The second tier of qualification allows lecturers to present the FIDE Preparation of Teachers course to obtain the School Instructor (SI) title. This part of the PoL course is a one-day online course to be held on August 31. Candidate lecturers may wish to obtain only the first level of qualification by choice. The objectives of the course: Develop and enhance the skills of effective teaching of chess basics to other educators, Develop and enhance the skills of effective teaching of educational chess to other educators Enhance the ability of using active and interactive teaching methods, Improve positive professional communication skills. Target audience: Professionals with experience in chess and education. Eligibility Criteria: Chess-playing ability (club level or higher) SI title holder At least two years’ teaching experience either in a school or as a chess trainer Familiarity with various PoT presentation tools Read the detailed course description here. Investment: LSI Course Fee for the first tier: €150 Title Award: Upon successful completion, meeting assessment criteria, and payment of €70 title fee. SLI Course Fee for the second tier: €200, due upon successful completion of the first tier. Title Award: Upon successful completion, meeting assessment criteria, and payment of €100 title fee. Special Announcement for Previous Title Holders: All LSI and CEL titles obtained before 2023 are automatically upgraded to LSI titles! Receive a FREE soft copy of the new PoT coursebook. Enroll in the first tier of the PoL course (LSI title course) at no cost! Application Deadline: July 15 Limited Spots Available! Only 20 participants (first come, first served). Ready to join? Complete the registration form here. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at edu.courses@fide.com About Court of Arbitration for Sport The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an institution independent of any sports organization which provides for services in order to facilitate the settlement of sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation by means of procedural rules adapted to the specific needs of the sports world. The CAS was created in 1984 and is placed under the administrative and financial authority of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS). The CAS has nearly 300 arbitrators from 87 countries, chosen for their specialist knowledge of arbitration and sports law. Around 300 cases are registered by the CAS every year. Official website: tas-cas.org/
Queen Trap: Music short film to feature women in chess at Chess Olympiad
Juga’s unreleased chess song, Queen Trap, will be transformed into a music short film during the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest. This artistic project, created by Juga in collaboration with the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, aims to celebrate women in chess worldwide. The short film will showcase the best female chess players from 160 countries, as well as women working in chess – organizers, streamers, photographers, and arbiters. Filming will take place on September 17, the free day of the Olympiad, at a Budapest landmark, the Hungarian Fine Arts Museum. Queen Trap promises to portray chess women as never before. The production team has already confirmed the participation of chess champions Judit Polgar, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Elizabeth Paehtz, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Tania Sachdev, and many more! Our goal is to unite all chess ladies and make this artistic performance of chess a dream come true! All female participants are invited to dress in their own style, entirely in black or white (including shoes and socks). Players will be filmed playing friendly blitz games (3+0 or 5+0 time control) against similarly ranked opponents. The games will be played on chessboards placed on low tables, with participants seated comfortably on cushions on the floor. Chess equipment, transportation to and from the filming location, and light snacks will be provided. Participants will be requested to stay at the film location for approximately 3 hours on September 17. A detailed schedule and further production information will be released soon. For players who prefer rapid or classical time controls, there is an option to indicate this on the registration form. Non-playing participants can discuss a pre-set game on a chessboard with other players. Please keep in mind: The result of the games is not important; there will be no audience or recording, only the filming crew, and only a few positions of a few games will be recognizable in the film. We just want to portray the beauty of playing and enjoying chess and the uniqueness of each chess lady! You can find the registration form on the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess website.
Tech Mahindra Global Chess League to host its second edition in London
London, 27th June 2024: The Global Chess League, a joint initiative between the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Tech Mahindra, a leading global provider of technology consulting and digital solutions to enterprises across industries, is set for a highly anticipated second edition in London. Following the success of the first edition, the league aims to unite the world’s top chess players in one of the most historic cities. The 10-day, one-of-a-kind chess league featuring top players will take place at Friends House, located in the heart of central London, from October 3rd to 12th, 2024. Based on the feedback from fans worldwide, London was selected as the venue for this season to connect with the fast-growing fan base and enthusiasm for chess in the European region. Photo: friendshouse.co.uk Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President, said, “After a fantastic response to the inaugural season, we are excited to continue our mission of expanding the reach of chess worldwide and drawing in new experiences for chess fans. Tech Mahindra’s commitment to usher in a new era in the modern chess ecosystem is commendable, and we are confident that the second edition of the league will provide the right platform and push needed to further elevate the sport.” Through this innovative league, FIDE and Tech Mahindra aim to revolutionize the fan experience of chess through a new format and ecosystem, providing an inclusive platform for fans to support their favourite teams and stars, similar to major global sports leagues. The second edition will feature top players from around the world, including reigning world champions and rising stars, competing in a unique team format that emphasizes strategy, collaboration, and high-stakes play. Mohit Joshi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tech Mahindra, said, “Chess and business share key values such as planning, speed, strategy, and risk management. The infusion of technology opens exciting new opportunities, transforming both fields. The Global Chess League’s second edition creates a unique platform for the global growth of chess.” Building on the success of its first season, the league aims to further broaden the viewership base through live broadcasts, interactive fan experiences, and community engagement activities like soon to be launched Global Chess League Trophy Tour. In the tournament, the players will compete in a unique joint team format consisting of six players, including two top women chess players and a prodigy player per team. Each team will play a total of 10 matches in a double round-robin format, with the winner of each match being decided in a best-of-six board scoring system. Peeyush Dubey, Chairperson, Global Chess League Board, said, “We will continue to leverage the Global Chess League’s innovative format and next-gen technologies to captivate and engage fans worldwide. The second edition is seeing unprecedented excitement from our partners and stakeholders. Together with FIDE, our vision for the league is to bring the best from the chess world.” The second season will see FIDE and Tech Mahindra collaborate to tap into the growing chess fan base, build a larger audience for chess viewing, and engage in exciting fan activities such as the ongoing all-inclusive hackathon. The hackathon engages with participants of all chess skill levels and technical expertise and collates ideas for improving the way chess is experienced, played, and consumed. Participants can propose ideas in various categories, including education, digital innovation, social impact, business, and arts, among others. About FIDE The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the governing body of the sport of chess, and it regulates all international chess competitions. Constituted as a non-governmental institution, it was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in 1999. FIDE currently has its headquarters in Lausanne, but it was initially founded in 1924 in Paris under the motto “Gens una Sumus” (Latin for “We are one Family”). It was one of the very first International Sports Federations, alongside the governing bodies of the sports of Football, Cricket, Swimming, and Auto Racing. It is now one of the largest, encompassing 201 countries as affiliate members in the form of National Chess Federations. Chess is a truly global sport nowadays, with dozens of millions of players on all continents and more than 60 million games on average played every day. More information: fide.com Contact: press@fide.com About Tech Mahindra Tech Mahindra (NSE: TECHM) offers technology consulting and digital solutions to global enterprises across industries, enabling transformative scale at unparalleled speed. With 145,000+ professionals across 90+ countries helping 1100+ clients, Tech Mahindra provides a full spectrum of services, including consulting, information technology, enterprise applications, business process services, engineering services, network services, customer experience & design services, AI & analytics, and cloud & infrastructure services. It is the first Indian company in the world to have been awarded the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Terra Carta Seal in recognition of actively leading the charge to create a climate and nature-positive future. Tech Mahindra is part of the Mahindra Group, founded in 1945, one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies. For more information on how TechM can partner with you to meet your scale at speed imperatives, please visit techmahindra.com, connect with us on techmahindra.com Our Social Media Channels: For more information on Tech Mahindra, please contact: Abhilasha Gupta, Head – Global Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, Tech Mahindra Email: Abhilasha.Gupta@TechMahindra.com; media.relations@techmahindra.com About Tech Mahindra Global Chess League The Global Chess League is the world’s first and largest official franchise league of its kind, with chess players from all over the world competing in a unique joint team format. It is a joint venture between Tech Mahindra, a part of the Mahindra Group, and FIDE. The league will feature male and female chess champions competing in the same team. Playing on the popular Rapid format, the league’s joint male-female teams will have the rare distinction of being a unique multiplayer team in the world of professional sports. In addition, the league is a one-of-its-kind live televised chess event offering fans a unique viewing experience. Tech Mahindra and FIDE will explore innovative ways to promote the game through interactive technology-enabled platforms by leveraging next-generation technologies such as 5G, artificial
Parivartan: Transforming lives through chess
From June 19-21, FIDE and IndianOil Corporation, in collaboration with the All India Chess Federation and the Ministry of Justice of India, organized the second in-person Chess for Freedom Conference in Pune, India. It was a fitting location for the event as Yerwada Central Jail, a high-security prison in Pune and the largest prison in South Asia, housing over 5000 prisoners, is also famous for its chess players. In October 2023, the Yerawada Central Prison team won the gold medal at the Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners. The conference attendees had a chance to learn how these impressive results have been reached since the chess project was first introduced to Yerwada inmates in 2021. “Parivartan – Prison to Pride” is a pioneering initiative designed to empower the most disadvantaged and vulnerable group of people – prison inmates. Launched in 2021 under the leadership of IndianOil’s Chairman Mr. Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, “Parivartoan” has grown significantly, impacting 4,100 inmates in 83 prisons, including Yerwada. “IndianOil has been leading a number of social stewardship programs across the country. “Parivartan” initiative aims to build confidence and improve the well-being of prison inmates through sports. The program is in sync with IndianOil’s core value of care and will complement our ongoing initiative of employing prison inmates and people who have completed their time in prison as customer attendants at our fuel stations,” says Mr Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman of IndianOil. IndianOil, in collaboration with state police prison departments, provides coaches to train inmates in various sports, including chess, badminton, table tennis, kho-kho and basketball. The chess program boasts renowned coaches like GMs Abhijit Kunte and Surya Sekhar Ganguly, who emphasize the positive impact of sports in channeling energy and transforming lives. The support for Parivartan has extended beyond the oil giant, with renowned sports personalities contributing to this initiative. The chess courses in Indian jails are supervised by experienced coaches, including GMs Abhijit Kunte and Surya Sekhar Ganguly, WGMs Eesha Karavade, Soumya Swaminathan, Padmini Rout, to name a few. Coaches involved in the program stress its significance, noting that channelling the energy of individuals in prison through sports can positively transform their lives. “It’s heartening to witness the success and positive changes Parivartan brings about. Being a part of such initiatives fills me with immense pride,” says GM Abhijit Kunte. In 2023, following Parivartan’s success, the “Nayi Disha” program extended benefits to over 2200 young inmates at 45 Juvenile correction centers across India, building sportsmanship and camaraderie in the process. In October 2023, the Children Correctional Home team from Bhopal, India, achieved a remarkable victory by securing the gold medal in the Youth Category at the Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners. Coaching has also been introduced in women’s prisons, beginning with Tihar Jail, and extended to 15 juvenile centers for girls. These efforts have introduced chess to over 6,000 inmates across 128 facilities in India. IndianOil’s “Parivartan” and “Nayi Disha” have gained global recognition for their social impact receiving the SportstarAces Chairperson Award 2023 for sports for social good and the prestigious Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for Thought Leadership. Mr Shrikant Madhav Vaidya was also awarded the “Friend of FIDE” title. The award recognizes IndianOil’s valuable contribution to the FIDE Chess for Freedom program and the promotion of sport as a tool for social transformation in India. “The mission of the Parivartan project by IndianOil goes beyond the chessboard,” says Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President. “It is a testament to the possibilities that lie within us all. It gives the right to a better life and a second chance for everyone. I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to IndianOil and all those involved in the project as well as to players taking part in it.” With the 4th Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners approaching (October 8-10), “Parivartan” and “Nayi Disha” students are already preparing to compete for medals in all three sections—men, women, and youth. To learn more about the Chess for Freedom program and other chess initiatives for prisoners, visit chessforfreedom.fide.com. Text and photos: Anna Volkova
Nine new female teams to compete in 45th Chess Olympiad
The Women’s Commission National Female Team Initiative, a significant step in promoting women’s chess, reached its penultimate stage on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Led by the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess (WOM) with the support of FIDE Trainers’ Commission (TRG), this initiative aims to help countries establish female teams for the upcoming 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. The online closing ceremony celebrated the successful completion of the first phase of training for these new Olympiad participants. Notable figures like Khader Sami (Chair, Trainers Commission) and Jose Carillo (President, Chess Confederation of America) joined coaches and new Olympiad participants. The training program, running from March 15, 2024, to June 16, 2024, featured an impressive lineup of coaches, including FM Ricko Depaune, WFM Anu Bayer, FI Ryan Blackwood, WIM Denise Bouah, IM Jomo Pitterson, WIM Natalija Popova, WIM Deborah Richards Porter, WIM Knarik Mouradian, and FI Russel Porter. Their expertise and guidance have been instrumental in preparing these teams for their international debut. The initiative, spearheaded by WOM Chair Anastasia Sorokina and WOM Councilor Tris-Ann Richards, along with team members Yilmaz Kartal, Paris Klerides, Akua Kosife Esse, and Monalisha Khamboo, began in August 2023. It has successfully fostered the development of female teams from nine countries: Liechtenstein, Guernsey, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, the US Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Nauru, and the Cayman Islands. St. Kitts and Nevis female team – one of the first-timers in the upcoming Olympiad This initiative provides these countries with a team captain and financial travel support, ensuring they are well-prepared to compete in the Olympiad for the first time. Looking ahead, the final stages of the initiative will involve collaboration with the FIDE Trainer Commission (TRG) to enroll these countries in the Olympiad Training Support Program (July-August 2024). This program is set to provide further support and resources to these debutants. This initiative represents a significant step towards gender equality in chess, empowering female players from underrepresented countries to participate in one of the sport’s most prestigious events.
Indjic and Chelushkina triumph at 2024 Serbian Championship
Aleksandar Indjic and Irina Chelushkina emerged victorious at the 2024 Serbian Championship. Aleksandar successfully defended his title and won his fifth overall, while Irina lifted the trophy for the second time. The 18th Serbian Championship 2024 took place from June 17–25 in the Fantastico Exclusive Hotel in Senta. The open and women’s tournaments ran concurrently. Both competitions were 10-player round robins with classical time control. In the open competition, Aleksandar Indjic seized the lead after Round 4 and maintained his top position to the very end. Facing top seed Alexey Sarana with black pieces in the final round, he displayed exceptional defensive skills, securing a draw and the championship title with an excellent 7/9 score. Robert Markus and Alexey Sarana finished on 6/9 and tied for second place. Just like a year ago, Robert Markus took silver (this time, thanks to a better tiebreak). The rating-favorite Alexey Sarana had to settle for bronze. The champion and the runner-up became the only unbeaten players in the tournament. Final standings Open: 1 GM Indjic, Aleksandar 2602 7 2 GM Markus, Robert 2587 6 3 GM Sarana, Alexey 2712 6 4 GM Popovic, Dusan 2486 5 5 GM Ivanisevic, Ivan 2536 5 6 GM Perunovic, Milos 2531 4½ 7 GM Atalik, Suat 2450 4 8 GM Kovacevic, Aleksandar 2482 3½ 9 IM Radovanovic, Nikola 2441 3 10 GM Muratovic, Alija 2513 1 The women’s section witnessed Irina Chelushkina’s dominance. Conceding only two draws, she finished a clear 1.5 points ahead of the runner-up, WIM Adela Velikic. WIM Jovana Srdanovic earned the bronze medal with 6/9 points. Final standings Women: 1 WGM Chelushkina, Irina 2134 8 2 WIM Velikic, Adela 2290 6½ 3 WIM Srdanovic, Jovana 2134 6 4 WGM Mandura, Tijana 2224 5 5 WIM Djukic, Sandra 2118 5 6 WGM Eric, Jovana 2184 5 7 WFM Vujovic, Vera 2154 4½ 8 WFM Bukhteeva, Viktoria 2070 3 9 Stankovic, Andrea 1990 2 10 Radenkovic, Mila 1870 0 The chief arbiter IA Vladica Andrejic and the deputy chief arbiter, Zoltan Helenji, officiated the competition, while IO, IA Nebojša Baralić, acted as the championship director. At the closing ceremony, the president of the Chess Federation of Serbia, Dragan Lazić, and the owner of the “Fantastico Exclusive” hotel, Šandor Lerinc, presented cups and medals to the top finishers. All the participants received gifts from the host and the Serbian Chess Federation (ŠSS). Official website: serbiachess.org/ Photos: Šahovski savez Srbije
2024 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports underway in Uganda
Entebbe, Uganda is playing host to the 2024 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports Chess & Bridge, taking place from June 24 to 30. The Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) is proud to continue its tradition of hosting FISU World University Championships. This marks the fourth time Uganda has organized a FISU event, following Woodball in 2010 (Kampala), Cross Country in 2014 (Entebbe), and Netball in 2018 (Kampala). “The Entebbe 2024 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports promises to be an exhilarating display of intellectual prowess, strategic thinking, and friendly competition,” states Vincent Kisenyi, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (pictured below, in the middle). Entebbe, a captivating town situated on a peninsula of Lake Victoria near the Entebbe International Airport, provides a stunning backdrop for the competition. Participants can enjoy breathtaking views and access to Africa’s largest lake, renowned for its diverse fish population. The women’s podium in 2022 in Antwerp The 2022 Antwerp championship saw Fiona Sieber (Germany) claim the women’s chess title, followed by Anastasia Avramidou (Greece) and Anna Kubicka (Poland). In the open chess competition, Arash Daghli (Iran) secured gold, while Igor Janik (Poland) and Jingyao Tin (Singapore) took silver and bronze respectively. The open podium in 2022 in Antwerp This year’s edition features twelve teams from across the globe: Botswana, Czech Republic, France, India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Slovakia, and Uganda. The championship chess program offers classical and blitz tournaments for both the open and women’s categories. Following a vibrant opening ceremony, the players made their first moves, officially launching the chess program of the 2024 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports. For more details, visit the official website. Photos: fisu.net/ and official website
26th Asian Youth Chess Championships conclude in Almaty, Kazakhstan
The 26th Asian Youth Chess Championships, held June 10-20, 2024, at the Almaty Sports Palace in Kazakhstan, came to a successful close. Setting a record for participant numbers in an international chess event hosted by Kazakhstan, the competition attracted 650 young players aged 7 to 18 from 33 countries. The youngsters battled it out in all time controls: standard, rapid, and blitz. The event was organized by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess), with support from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Asian Chess Federation, the Akimat of Almaty, and the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. Freedom Holding Corp. is the general partner of the championships. Kazakh chess players emerged victorious, winning the first team place. Competing against top juniors from leading chess countries such as India, China, and Iran, they secured 25 medals, including 12 gold. The closing ceremony featured by KazChess President Timur Turlov, Almaty City Mayor Beibut Shakhanov, Secretary General of the Asian Chess Federation Hisham Al-Tahera, FIDE Management Board Executive Director Viktor Bologan, and other dignitaries. “This tournament is of great significance for our country, reflecting the trust of the global chess community. For the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, it was a test of our professionalism. Judging by the number of awards won by our players and the positive feedback from participants from 33 countries, we passed this test with flying colors,” said Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, who personally congratulated the winners at the closing ceremony. Participants hailed from various parts of Asia, from Iran to New Zealand. Besides the Kazakh team, which won medals in all three time controls (12 gold, 8 silver, and 5 bronze), other notable winners included FIDE (9 gold medals), India (5 gold medals), Vietnam (3 gold), Iran (3 gold), China (1 gold), Mongolia (1 gold), Kyrgyzstan (1 gold), and the Philippines (1 gold). Three participants achieved double victories in both standard and rapid: Narayani Umesh Maratha (G08) from India, Anna Shukhman (G18, FIDE), and Kazakhstan’s Aldiyar Ansat (U18). Besides the overall team standings, 36 gold medals were awarded across boys’ and girls’ categories in six age groups and three time controls (rapid, standard, and blitz). At the closing ceremony, the newly crowned World Junior Chess Champion, Kazybek Nogerbek, was also honored. In a remarkable gesture, KazChess President Timur Turlov announced a “golden package” of support worth 30 million tenge, presented Kazybek with the keys to an electric car and personally congratulated him on his remarkable victory, marking a new chapter in the history of Kazakh chess. The 26th Youth Championship was held with a focus on environmental friendliness and sustainable development. All plastic used at the tournament was recycled, with participants even contributing by using a unique bicycle shredder. Notably, the championship winners’ cups were also crafted from recycled plastic. Beyond the intense competition, the championship offered participants opportunities to explore Almaty’s natural beauty by hiking at Shymbulak. The Kazakhstan Chess Federation also organized master classes with Moldavian grandmaster and FIDE executive director Viсtor Bologan and Kazakh grandmaster Alisher Suleimenov as well as other leisure activities. Official website of the event: aycc2024.kazchess.kz Press releases and photos of the 26th Asian Youth Championship can be found here.
FIDE World Cup 8-12: Multiple leaders emerge after Day 2
It’s been a thrilling start to the FIDE World Cup Under 8-12 in Batumi, Georgia, with several players sharing the lead after two rounds. U8 Group A in the girls section sees a three-way tie for first between Chen Zhihan (China), Yan Rayna (USA), and Baghramyan Sofia (Armenia). Group B is even more competitive, with five players – Elizabeth Xia (USA), Azaliya Balakanova (Kazakhstan), Reana Kinzyabulatova (FIDE), Harshika M (India), and Amira Shomanova (Kazakhstan) – all on two points. Similar stories unfold in the older age groups. Both U10 sections boast multiple leaders. Samhita Pungavanam (India), Khusnitdinova Husnorakhon (Uzbekistan), Zhang Jianning (China), and Kiyana Parihar (India) share the top spot in Group A. Yunker Alisa Genrietta (FIDE), Yi Ruiyu (China), and Divi Bijesh (India) lead Group B. In the Girls U12 Group A, as many as five participants recorded two wins in two rounds: WFM Laurie Qiu (USA), Aknur Mamakova (Kazakhstan), Xue Tianhao (China), Leyla Mirzaliyeva (Azerbaijan), and Kristina Zavivaeva (FIDE). Similarly, in Group B, there are also five players with 2 points each: WFM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana (Sri Lanka), Bordoloi Pratitee (India), Pavithra R V (India), Xu Luna Yuexiu (New Zeland), and Khanzada Amanzhol (Kazakhstan). The Open sections mirror the Girls’ section with exciting close races. In Open U8 Group A, five players – Prokhor Baranov (FIDE), Rizat Ulan (Kazakhstan), Reddy Adulla Divith (India), Jan Szumiec (Poland), and Swain Sattwik (India) – are tied for first. Open U8 Group B is even tighter with six players sharing the lead. The fight for the championship continues in the U10 and U12 Open sections as well. Five players in Open U10 Group A – CM Reyaansh Chakrabarty (Australia), Lev Shangin (USA), CM Kaushik Ashwath (Singapore), Malhotra Vyom (India), and Nurali Bolashakov (Kazakhstan) – boast perfect scores. Open U10 Group B sees Modith Aaroh Mutyalapati (Canada), Joshua Xia (USA), Yu Zechen (China), and Khasan Akramov (Uzbekistan) leading the pack. Finally, the U12 Open sections are equally tense. Four players – Biloliddin Obidov (Uzbekistan), Siddhanth Poonja (India), Damir Bulgak (FIDE), and Yang Zilong (China) – top Group A. Tatvidze Davit (Georgia), Gabriel Gabadadze (Georgia), Qu Haoming (China), and Baatar Batbaatar (Mongolia) share the lead in Group B. Stay tuned for more updates from the FIDE World Cup U 8 – 12 in Batumi, Georgia. Official website: wcc2024.fide.com Live games: chess.com/events/2024-fide-world-cup-u8-group-a/games Video and live commentaries:youtube.com/watch?v=3yXvGJwXe3w&ab_channel=chessingeorgia64 Photos: Sophie Nikoladze and Tornike Tavadze
Max Warmerdam wins Teplice Open 2024
Grandmaster Max Warmerdam emerged victorious in the 2024 Teplice Open, a chess tournament with a rich history dating back to 1922 and held annually since 2006. The competition, supported by the FIDE Aid Package initiative (launched in 2021), took place from June 15th to 23rd at the Sports Hall in Teplice, Czech Republic. The event attracted 240 players from 33 countries, including 16 Grandmasters. It was a tightly contested event, with several players sharing the top position most of the way. Going into the final round, a remarkable six participants jointly lead with 6.5 points each. Max Warmerdam, Alexander Donchenko, and Tin Jingyao secured crucial victories in the final round, resulting in a three-way tie for first place. Warmerdam came out on top thanks to a superior rating average of the opponents, while Doncheko and Jingyao took second and third place respectively, based on the Buchholz tiebreaker. Women’s honors went to WGM Ravi Rakshitta, who scored 6.5 points out of 9. Local hopeful IM Vaclav Finek (pictured below) also impressed, netting 7 points and tying for third place overall while simultaneously winning the U18 category. Final standings: 1 GM Warmerdam, Max NED 2654 7½ 2 GM Tin, Jingyao SGP 2570 7½ 3 GM Donchenko, Alexander GER 2639 7½ 4 GM Stocek, Jiri CZE 2524 7 5 IM Akbas, Umut Ata TUR 2437 7 6 IM Finek, Vaclav CZE 2450 7 7 GM Svane, Frederik GER 2638 6½ 8 IM Martin, Julian GER 2402 6½ 9 IM Kaasen, Tor Fredrik NOR 2465 6½ 10 GM Babula, Vlastimil CZE 2521 6½ Complete final standings Official website: tepliceopen.com Photos: Teplice Chess Club