Swiss Wednesday Women’s Series: March & April highlights
Over the last few months, the Swiss Queens Wednesday Series has quickly become an anticipated weekly event, with top woman players from around the world battling it out online in 3+1 blitz Swiss tournaments. Each tournament has a prize fund of USD $1,000 and is open to women with FIDE or Arena titles. FIDE is delighted to report on the series’ incredible progress and excitement, particularly during weeks 6 through 13. Highlights by weeks Swiss Queens Wednesday #6 The competition reached new heights as many Grandmasters took part. The games were intense, and the leaderboard started to shift as former Women’s World Champion GM Alexandra Kosteniuk displayed an extraordinary performance, putting her at the forefront of the tournament for the first time. She was joined at the top by Nino Batsiashvili and Valentina Gunina, but Alexandra’s better tiebreak saw her clinch the first prize. Swiss Queens Wednesday #7 Rivalries took center stage as key matchups (and upsets!) provided exhilarating encounters, and some new names emerged, hinting at a change in the tournament dynamic. Former World Youth and World Junior Champion IM Polina Shuvalova finished first, a whole point ahead of the field! Swiss Queens Wednesday #8 This week saw surprising games and upsets, which is typical for the blitz’s nature. The 2023 FIDE Women’s Blitz Champion, GM Valentina Gunina (a regular Swiss Wednesday competitor and previous winner), clinched first place despite losing her final game in round 11. Swiss Queens Wednesday #9 With more aggressive gameplay and bold sacrifices, Week 9 saw players willing to take bold risks. Several new contenders made notable breakthroughs, shaking up the leaderboard and intensifying the competition. Two-time Women’s World Blitz Chess Champion WGM Bibisara Assaubayeva dominated the field, taking first place with two points ahead of the runners-up Teodora Injac and Savitha Shri Baskar. Swiss Queens Wednesday #10 This week’s winner was a familiar face who recently cemented her place as a formidable fast chess opponent by winning the 2023 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Championship. IM Anastasia Bodnaruk shows no sign of slowing down! Swiss Queens Wednesday #11 – 13 Exceptional performances from underdogs brought unexpected twists, reinforcing the unpredictability and excitement of the Swiss Queens Wednesday series. However, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, AKA Chess Queen, displayed true dominance, placing first three consecutive weeks. Notably, Alexandra played each weekly event from Toronto, where the FIDE Candidates Tournament was taking place. Although her capacity in Canada was as a spectator, perhaps the high-stakes atmosphere and thrilling chess games contributed to her excellent performances! Photo: Michal Walusza The Swiss Queens Wednesday series represents the spirit of women’s chess, providing an inclusive platform for both seasoned and emerging players. FIDE expresses gratitude to all participants, organizers, and partners for fostering a competitive and supportive environment that advances the global women’s chess community. Stay tuned for further updates, and don’t miss the upcoming weeks of the Swiss Queens Wednesday series! For more information, visit the FIDE Online Arena website.
Carlsen, Nakamura, Anand, and Amin set for epic showdown in Casablanca
World’s top Grandmaster will play rapid trying out the new Casablanca Chess Variant from 18-19 May, 2024 Casablanca Chess Variant: Bridging History and Innovation The chess world has walked a long way, evolving from the timeless brilliance of past masters to the dynamic landscape of modern play—replete with technology, online matches, engine variations, and meticulous opening preparation. In this digital age, some games unfold seamlessly, their moves orchestrated in advance, leaving little room for creativity at the board. To inspire the spirit of independent thought and strategic creativity, the Casablanca Stock Exchange introduces the groundbreaking Casablanca Chess Variant. The idea of this innovative format was suggested by Tarik Senhaji, CEO of Casablanca Stock Exchange. Unveiling the Casablanca Chess Variant • Starting Positions: The game commences from equal positions inspired by historical gems—some renowned, others less so. Will today’s masters follow the well-trodden paths of their predecessors, or will they choose a new direction? • Tournament Name: Casablanca Chess, organized by the Casablanca Stock Exchange with Casa Events & Animation and the Royal Moroccan Chess Federation • Elite Players: Representing four continents, four top players will play rapid games. Grandmasters Laurent Fressinet and Hicham Hamdouchi will choose and unveil surprise starting positions before each game. ◦ Magnus Carlsen: Widely considered the strongest chess player of all time, former World Chess Champion and current world #1, represents Europe. ◦ Hikaru Nakamura: A streaming sensation with millions of devoted fans, the world #3 player, defends the colors of North America. ◦ Viswanathan Anand: The legendary 5-time World Chess Champion, the trailblazer of Indian chess, represents Asia. ◦ Bassem Amin: Africa’s strongest Grandmaster, numerous times continental champion, plays on home turf. Casablanca FIDE100 Casablanca Chess is being held in conjunction with the FIDE 100 celebrations as the International Chess Federation marks a century since its foundation. This special edition promises to be exceptional, combining the passion for the game with the commemoration of a century of international chess history. This celebration will host the Torch ceremony, which travels around the world throughout the year. On this occasion, a significant event will be organized at the Parc de la Ligue Arabe, with several enriching activities for the general public, including a Simultaneous exhibition with 100 players. The series of FIDE100 events will also feature a photo exhibition, “Capture”, a project by photographer Stev Bonhage challenging the conventional perception of chess. From May 17-19, it will be displayed in Casablanca and from May 21-26, it will move to the country capital Rabat.” Capture” is sponsored by Freedom Holding Corp. – a U.S.-based financial services company that has been supporting chess events in recent years – as well as the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and France’s energy giant, TotalEnergies.
Pune, India to host three-day Chess for Freedom Conference
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and IndianOil Corporation are proud to organize the second in-person Chess for Freedom Conference from June 19-21, 2024, in Pune, India. This event will bring together experts from the global chess community to explore the use of chess as a rehabilitation tool for incarcerated individuals. “As we convene for the Chess for Freedom Conference, our mission extends beyond the chessboard. This gathering is crucial for spreading the transformative power of chess across numerous countries and prisons,” said Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chairperson of the FIDE Management Board. “By sharing experiences and methodologies, we not only enhance the scope of our initiatives but also provide vital support for newcomers who are integral to our community. These efforts are essential for developing a framework that empowers incarcerated individuals worldwide, fostering skills that pave the way for their successful reintegration into society.” FIDE warmly invites chess officials, representatives of national federations, members of penitentiary administrations, and policymakers from various countries to engage in discussions on innovative strategies for chess programs in prisons. The three-day conference will showcase the successful implementation of the Chess for Freedom project across different countries, feature case studies from national initiatives, and present real-life examples of forming prison chess teams competing in the intercontinental tournament. Attendees will also have an opportunity to visit an Indian correctional facility to observe these social programs firsthand. Event Schedule: ●June 19: Day 1 – Plenary session with various breakout topics. ●June 20: Day 2 – Plenary session with various breakout topics ●June 21: Visit to a Pune prison, including interactions with the prison administration and Chess in Prison program staff. The detailed event schedule will be released soon. This conference will be broadcast live on FIDE’s YouTube channel, and participants can join via Zoom to pose questions directly to the speakers. Registration Information: To participate in the conference, please complete the following form: forms.gle/519uuACkmfpZorZC8 About the Chess for Freedom Program: Launched in May 2021 by FIDE and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (Chicago, USA), the Chess for Freedom program emphasizes the rights and opportunities for self-realization and development of incarcerated individuals. Chess not only provides quality recreation but also helps mitigate symptoms like depression, stress, and anxiety. By enhancing memory, logical thinking, concentration, and imagination, chess aids in the reintegration of individuals post-release. The program kicked off with an online conference and an exhibition tournament involving four countries. It has since grown to include the annual Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners, which, in its third edition in October 2023, featured over 100 teams from 50 countries. The FIDE Social Commission also facilitates the Chess For Freedom Network, supporting ongoing or aspiring Chess in Prisons projects through peer access, best practice sharing, workshops, and seminars. Chess for Freedom Conference – Contact Information: Lasma KokorevichaSecretary of the FIDE Social CommissionEmail: sc.secretary@fide.comWhatsApp: +371 29 221 222
World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships: Registration is open
The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2024, organized by the International Chess Federation and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation in partnership with Freedom Holding, will be held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, between August 1 and 6. The second edition of the Championships will consist of a 12-round Swiss tournament played over three days under rapid time control (August 2-4) and a one-day blitz championship (August 5). The event, with a prize fund of €350,000, is open to squads from all over the world. Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President: “Following the success of the inaugural event last year in Dusseldorf, I am thrilled that we are now preparing for the second edition of this tournament, which is on its way of becoming a regular feature in the calendar of top global FIDE events. In our strive to diversify chess events and formats and increase opportunities for non-professional players, the World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships – where many amateurs of different chess skills have a chance to take part – is an excellent example of that ambition. FIDE and the chess world are very fortunate to have the likes of Freedom Holding and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation helping organize and fund this event. In recent years both have done a lot to support and promote chess in Kazakhstan but also in Asia and globally, and we thank them for that.” Create your own team from your club members, members of different federations or your favourite chess players. Registration is open via the following link: worldrapidblitzteams.fide.com/registration Team composition: Each team shall be composed in accordance with the following requirements: A. At least six and not more than nine players, including at least: a. one female player, b. one player, other than the one indicated in the previous point, who never achieved FIDE Standard, Rapid or Blitz Rating of 2000 Elo points (or unrated) up to and including the July 2024 rating lists, B. A captain, who may also be one of the players. Teams are required to register at least six players meeting the requirements by 1 July 2024. Three more players may be added at any time until 12pm Lausanne time, 25 July 2024. Among those who have already confirmed their participation in the event the world’s top-rated chess player (and holder of the world titles in Rapid and Blitz) Magnus Carlsen. World #1 will strengthen WR Team, which won the inaugural edition, and is ready to defend their title and try to take the first team crown in the Blitz. Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp. and President of Kazakhstan Chess Federation: “Over the past few years, Freedom Holding Corp. has been a sponsor of the largest and most milestone events in the chess world, and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation has significantly enhanced its partnership with FIDE during this period. Investments have a positive impact on chess popularization in the world and human capital development. I believe that having one more spectacular chess event in our nation’s capital will help elevate the status of Kazakhstan in the chess world and further charge the already growing interest in chess among our people. As we prepare to welcome teams from across the world, we extend our gratitude to FIDE for their collaboration and bringing another chess spectacle to this part of the world.” Now that the registration for the event is officially open, FIDE is looking forward to the teams and players who will take part in a chess spectacle this summer in Astana. Regulations for the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship: handbook.fide.com/files/handbook/WRTC2024Regulations.pdf Registration form: worldrapidblitzteams.fide.com/registration Official website: worldrapidblitzteams.fide.com
FIDE ChessMom Initiative: Call for submissions
As Mother’s Day approaches in many countries in the month of May, FIDE is pleased to announce the start of the application process for the ChessMom project. The ChessMom pilot initiative by the Commission for Women’s Chess aims to support professional chess players who are mothers of infants under one year old. Specifically, through this initiative, all expenses related to an accompanying or caregiver person for ten female players traveling with their infants to the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary will be covered. We invite federations, clubs, and players themselves to send their applications, including information about a mother and a child, as well as a Letter of Concurrence from the National Federation, stating that a player is a part of the National Team by filling the following form: forms.gle/9UQUqpvqHCnhZAh88 For more information and confirmation, please contact the Project Leader, Francisco J Cruz Arce. E-mail: fj_007@yahoo.com WhatApp: +1-787-587-3409 Olympiad Registration dates are from April 18 – June 10, 2024 Timeline for ChessMom Submissions May 06, 2024 – Submission Period starts May 29, 2024 – Submission Period closes May 30, 2024 – WOM ChessMom Project meeting June 01, 2024 – WOM announcement of selected Players Learn more about the ChessMom initiative here: fide.com/news/2892
FIDE Circuit: Abdusattorov leads after four months
FIDE Circuit is a relatively new path to qualify for the FIDE Candidates Tournament, introduced last year. The player achieving the highest results during 2024 in eligible tournaments will get a spot in the next Candidates. Each player must play in at least five eligible tournaments, including at least four with a standard time control. The final score is calculated as the sum of the player’s up to seven highest scores. Notable, Gukesh D, who qualified for the Candidates 2024 in Toronto through FIDE Circuit, eventually won the event and became the Challenger. The FIDE Circuit 2023 demonstrated that to qualify for the Candidates, one must score in the point-heavy tournaments, and the 2024 edition will continue this trend. Similar to 2023, strong performances in the point-heavy events are key to qualifying through the Circuit this year. Let’s have a look at the FIDE Circuit 2024 first-trimester results. The year kicked off with one of the most important events of the year, Tata Steel Chess. The winner of the Masters, Wei Yi, immediately grabbed the lead with 20.54 points, while Gukesh D, Anish Giri and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who tied with the Chinese GM for first place, also picked good points (14.22 each). Notably, Wei Yi hasn’t played in any more eligible tournaments and has dropped to 11th place. February saw Daniel Dardha win the Djerba International Chess Festival Masters, climbing to second position after adding points 8.6 points to his Tata Steel Challengers performance (10.3 points). Hans Niemann, sharing first place with Daniel, secured his initial Circuit points there. Photo: Djerba Chess Festival Facebook The third month of the year saw significant shifts in the leaderboard. Nodirbek Abdusattorov won the strong Prague International Chess Festival 2024 Masters, gaining 25 points and taking the lead, which he held till the end of April. Around this time, another point-heavy tournament took place in Shenzhen (China). It became a springboard for Bu Xiangzhi, Yu Yangyi and Arjun Erigaisi, who tied for first place and joined the race. March also featured the Aeroflot Open, won by Amin Tabatabaei (+19.79 points), and the Grenke Chess Open, where the top finishers got quite a few points. Photo: Michal Walusza The Candidates Tournament held in April became the leaderboard changer as the winner, Gukesh D, picked up 26.94 points. Coupled with 14.22 points earned in Tata Steel Masters in January, it propelled the young Indian to the top spot. However, his lead was short-lived. Arjun Erigaisi turned in two strong performances in the Menorca Open (1st place and 16.19 points) and the TePe Sideman & Co Chess Tournament (2nd place and 14 points) leapfrogging his compatriot. Photo: Mikael Svensson Still, it was not enough to reach the pole position as the winner of the latter tournament, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, added 16.21 points to his tally to overtake both Gukesh and Erigaisi and get back to the top of FIDE Circuit 2024. Daniel Dardha’s victory at the Sardinia World Chess Festival (+14.07 points) pushed him to fourth, while the winner of the Tata Steel Challengers Leon Luke Mendonca (pictured below) lifted another trophy in the 2024 Spring Chess Classic (+13.74 points) and reached fifth. Photo: St-Louis Chess Club / Crystal Fuller With so many strong tournaments to come (suffice it to mention Dubai Police Global Chess Challenge, Superbet Poland Rapid & Blitz in Warsaw and Norway Chess all to be played in May) the race for the top position remains wide open. We maintain a dedicated page on our website for the FIDE Circuit, offering the latest information on eligible tournaments, the current standings, and regulations. Visit: FIDE Circuit 2024.
FIDE World School Chess Championship crosses midpoint
For the first time in Peruvian sports history, the World School Chess Championship is taking place in Peru. After five exciting rounds of play, the participants from 26 countries (Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela and Zimbabwe) are enjoying the day off. The Peruvian state, represented by its president Dina Boluarte and her council of ministers, declared the World School Chess Championship the top priority, which transcends to the benefit of all the participants. So far, the World School Championship has been very good for the host players, as they are leading in most categories. Bat-Amgalan, Batsaikhan (Mongolia) vs. Manchanda, Advik (United States) (pictured above) drew their game, while Iman Nabiyev of Kazakhstan won his game, scored 5 points, and became the leader in the U09 category. Iman is one of many players to score 5/5. Here is the list of participants from all categories with a perfect score: Az-Erdene, Nyamdavaa (Mongolia U07 FEM)Nabiyev, imán (Kazajistan U09 ABS)Vinales Gonzalez, Enzo Mathias (Paraguay U11 ABS)Arana Bello, Bruno Josef (Perú U11 ABS)Mandujano, Alagon Ghaydaa Ceneth (Perú U 11 FEM)Torres Ccahuay, Dayana Nievevska (Peru U15 FEM)WIM Bravo Mallco, Kate Azumi (Perú U17 FEM)Caceres Benitez, Arturo Eduardo (Paraguay U 15 ABS)Garzon Zapatanga, Christopher Leonel (Ecuador U 17 ABS) Table 1 of the U11 Women’s category in Round 5: Alagon Ghaydaa Ceneth Mandujano (Peru) vs Dana Katherine Tuk Martin (México) In the U11 category open tournament, Enzo Vinales (Paraguay) and Bruno Arana (Peru) both netted 5/5, making it the only competition with joint leaders with a perfect score. The leaders will clash in Round 6. The Pan American champion and South American School champion, Daniel Gallegos, is a full point behind the leaders. There is a huge group of players with 4.5 points in all categories: Sulca Cerron, Diego Peter (Peru U 07 ABS)Holguin Segovia, David Luis (Peru U 07 ABS)Mamani Choque, Adler Esau (Bolivia U 07 ABS)Palma Franco, Alma Camila (Ecuador U 09 FEM)Nandinjiguur, Chinzorig (Mongolia U 09 FEM)Valenzuela Reinoso, Safrys (Perú U 09 FEM)Diaz Guerrero, Jesus Daniel (Mexico U 13 ABS)Garzon Camelo, Andres Santiago (Colombia U 13 ABS)Martinez Flores, Matias (Mexicano U 13 ABS)Munoz Ramos, Christopher (Chile U 13 ABS)Galkotuwa, K A R G W D R B G (Sir Lanka U 13 ABS)Herrera Jimenez, Mateo (Colombia U 13 ABS)Guo, Felix(USA U 13 ABS)Palomino Quispe, Mateo Henry (Perú U 13 ABS)Yang, Maxwell (USA U13 ABS)WCM Altynbek, Aiaru ( Kazajistán U13 FEM)Silva Honores, Luciana Victoria (Perú U13 FEM)Casqui Lopez, Pamela Grace (Perú U 13 FEM)WCM Buyankhishig, Batpelden (Mongolia U13 FEM) The U13 category stands out, with as many as nine players tied for first place. U17 Open: Tupac Russell Montesinos Parisaca (Peru) vs Christopher Leonel Garzon Zapatanga (Colombia) Written by AN Rodolfo Valentino Cabrera Huaman Photos: Patricia Claros Aguilar Official website: fidewsccperu2024.com/
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Attempt for Most Games Played in a Day!
On July 20, 2024, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) aims to set the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Attempt for the most chess games played in 24 hours, marking its centennial and International Chess Day! From beginners to grandmasters, classrooms to streets, online or over-the-board games, you can participate in the celebrations from any corner of the world. For individuals: To participate in the attempt online, join chess.com, lichess.org (or any other platform that will be supporting the initiative) and play at least one 5-min game between July 20, 2024 00:00:00 CEST and July 21, 2024 00:00:00 CEST; To join offline, seek for the nearest event that will join the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt (the full list of events will be here: 100.fide.com/gwr) and take part in it. For organizers: Plan your event and make sure it suits all the requirements. More details about the eligibility criteria can be found on 100.fide.com/gwr. Register it on the landing page of the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt before July 15, 2024.; After the attempt, submit the results confirming the number of games played. The registration of the tournaments participating in the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Attempt will start later this May. For more details, visit the official FIDE Guinness World Record attempt page. About the Guinness World Records Guinness World Records, originally known as the Guinness Book of Records, has emerged as the definitive authority on record-breaking achievements, stemming from the idea of resolving disputes in pubs with a book of facts. Today, it stands as a global brand, with offices spanning London, New York, Beijing, Tokyo, and Dubai, alongside a network of brand ambassadors worldwide. Its mission extends beyond the pages of its iconic book, now encompassing TV shows, social media, and live events, all aimed at documenting the extraordinary.
World School Championship 2024 begins in Peru
The highly anticipated FIDE World School Chess Championship 2024 kicked off on May 1 in the Constitutional Province of Callao in Lima, Peru. A glittering opening ceremony, marked the start of this grand chess event. The highest Peruvian authorities—Guido Flores Marchan, president of the Peruvian Sports Institute (IPD), Morgan Niccolo Quero Gaime, minister of education of Peru, and Ciro Castillo Rojo Salas, Regional Governor of Callao—attended the opening ceremony (pictured below, from left to right). The regional governor of Callao, Dr Ciro Castillo Rojo Salas, and the Minister of Education, Morgan Quero, inaugurated the competition, making the first ceremonial moves on one of the boards. The ceremony also featured a dancing performance by a local group that symbolized Peru’s coast, mountains, and jungle. Held in six age groups, U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17, with separate events in open and girls’ categories, the competition brought together 1200 chess players from 26 countries. The competitions in all categories are 9-round Swiss tournaments. Photos: Gobierno Regional del Callao / Media centre Mundial Escolar
Eight teams qualify for World Corporate Championship Finals
The second World Corporate Chess Championships have concluded their qualification stage, and eight successful teams are now gearing up for the highly anticipated over-the-board finals in New York The online qualification stage witnessed fierce competition among 64 teams representing 46 companies from 26 countries across four continents. Among the participants were renowned global corporations, including Morgan Stanley, Microsoft, UBS, Von Doren Watch Company, J.P. Morgan, Airbus, Freedom Holding, Bosch, Maruti Suzuki, and Deutsche Bank. While most teams comprised amateur players and enthusiasts, each team had the right to include one player with a FIDE rating exceeding 2400 points. Some squads even recruited top-class Grandmasters, such as Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Andrew Tang, reigning European Women’s Chess Champion WGM Ulviyya Fataliyeva, WGM Jolanta Zawadzka, and the remarkable eight-year-old chess prodigy from the UK, Bodhana Sivanandan. To secure their spot in the finals, teams engaged in online tournaments in two formats: rapid and blitz. The intense competition culminated in an online knockout stage, ultimately determining the final eight contenders. The following companies have successfully qualified for the World Corporate Chess Championship finals: From June 15 to 17, these eight elite teams will converge in New York for a series of over-the-board matches. The tournament will feature both a group stage and an intense playoff stage. Finalists will enjoy fully covered travel and accommodation expenses in New York. Additionally, each qualifying team will secure four seats for an online simultaneous chess match against a participant from the recently concluded FIDE Candidates Tournament, with more prizes to come. For comprehensive event details, including results and regulations, visit the official website of the World Corporate Chess Championship.