World Junior Rapid Chess Championship: Sadhwani and Beydullayeva win gold
The FIDE World Junior Rapid Chess Championship came to an end, but it left a lasting impression. The exhilarating journey climaxed on the final day as Raunak Sadhwani and Govhar Beydullayeva emerged as the undisputed champions of their open and girls sections, respectively. In the Open section, Raunak Sadhwani, the rising star from India, showcased prowess and unyielding determination and secured a remarkable victory, scoring 8.5/11. After a shaky start, Raunak picked up steam and came into the final round, sharing the top position with three players. The Indian GM pulled off a crucial victory over Tobias Koelle (who was leading the race for most of the event) and clinched the title as two other co-leaders, Arseniy Nesterov and Dimitris Alexakis, drew their game and tied for second place with Or Globus. Nesterov claimed silver thanks to superior tiebreaks and became the only unbeaten player in the open section; Alexakis took bronze. Final standings open: 1 GM Sadhwani Raunak 8½ 2 GM Nesterov Arseniy 8 3 IM Alexakis Dimitris 8 4 IM Globus Or 8 5 IM Koelle Tobias 7½ 6 IM Isanzhulov Arystan 7½ 7 GM Subelj Jan 7½ 8 IM Sahidi Samir 7 9 IM Martinovici Ilia 7 10 FM Lumachi Gabriele 7 In the girls’ section, Govhar Beydullayeva of Azerbaijan proved her mettle by winning the title with an even more impressive score of 9/11. Sardinia seems to have a special victorious vibe for Govhar as she won her second title here after her triumph at the 2022 World Junior Championship in this Mediterranean island. Kazakhstani’s young ladies did exceptionally well in the competition, taking the second to fifth positions in the final standings, with Xeniya Balabayeva (silver) and Zeinep Sultanbek (bronze) making it to the podium. Final standings girls: 1 WGM Beydullayeva Govhar 9 2 WIM Balabayeva Xeniya 8½ 3 WIM Sultanbek Zeinep 7½ 4 WIM Nurgali Nazerke 7½ 5 FM Kurmangaliyeva Liya 7 6 WFM Ciolacu Alessia-Mihaela 6½ 7 Bordin Silvia 6½ 8 WFM Kirtadze Anastasia 6 9 Hernandez Diaz Paula Sofia 6 10 WFM Sevcikova Lucia 6 Photos: NIKIEL.PHOTO Official website: juniorrapidandblitz2023.com/
3rd Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners gets underway
A record-breaking 118 teams from 50 countries are participating in the 3rd Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners, which began today on October 11. The biggest-ever chess event among correctional facilities, organized by FIDE and the Chicago Cook County Sheriff’s Office, is a part of the Chess for Freedom program and continuation of the international championship first held in 2019 and the Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners of 2021 and 2022. The opening ceremony took place online and featured FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Cook County Sheriff Tomas J. Dart and Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board Dana Reizniece-Ozola. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich warmly greeted the event participants: “We all make mistakes, and we have to live with the consequences. Nevertheless, we all possess the inherent right to a better life and a second chance, another chance. Your participation in this event is proof of that. Chess can help in living a better life. It teaches us skills which are relevant for a good life – such as patience, order, focus, fighting even when things are tough, and finding a solution in a difficult position. But chess is also a tool that can bring us together and can prove to be a gateway to another – better – world.” Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart, who introduced the chess program to Cook County Jail more than ten years ago, spoke about valuable life lessons chess gives to people: “Chess is a marvellous sport. It gives you so many different tools, but particularly to the individuals who are incarcerated. It gives them a sense of accomplishment, an ability to understand the need to think ahead, move by move, not just the immediate. And for us, for all these years, it has been a marvellous thing for our detainees. I want to particularly thank my staff and the staff of FIDE for all of the work that you’ve done for all of these years. It’s truly you who have made it a success. We are thrilled to have you all with us today, and we are looking forward to a very successful tournament. As always, we would prefer to win, but, at the end of the day, we want everyone to enjoy themselves and take away from this that you too can accomplish things if you put your mind to it.” Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board Dana Reizniece-Ozola narrated an inspiring story of chess changing a person’s life in prison: “Today, I want to share with you the profound impact chess can have, even within the confines of four walls. Some of you may be familiar with the story of Claude Bloodgood. In 1970, he was sentenced to death for the murder, a sentence later commuted to life in prison. During his time behind bars, Bloodgood became an avid chess player, dedicating thousands of hours to the game by playing with fellow inmates, guards, and even engaging in correspondence chess. His dedication was so remarkable that he qualified for the US Chess Championship, though circumstances prevented him from participating. Nevertheless, within the prison walls, he taught chess to thousands of inmates, authored a chess book, and was often interviewed by the media. Bloodgood’s case shows us that chess is more than just a game – it is a tool for rehabilitation and personal growth, even in a seemingly incomprehensible position. Behind the walls, chess can be a source of resilience and self-improvement.” A record number of participants is the result of consolidated efforts of organizers, officials, government officers, members of the penitentiary administrations and volunteers involved in introducing chess to inmates. They all note the positive impact of the game on prisoners. Three separate tournaments started today, with men (78 teams), women (22 teams) and young inmates (18 teams) competing at the group stage. Mongolia did exceptionally well today. The country’s teams qualified for the next round in all three sections. Mongolia has been the most successful country in the history of this competition so far. Its men’s team was a winner of the inaugural event in 2021; a year later, Mongolian female inmates won the women’s section. Mongolia has a long-standing tradition of teaching chess in prisons. Since 1956, chess tournaments have been held in all correctional units of the country. One of the pleasant surprises of the day was a strong performance by the Zimbabwe women’s team, who debuted in the championship today. Two years ago, the country’s men’s team, the only representative of the African continent in the inaugural edition of the tournament, made a splash by reaching the final and narrowly losing to Mongolia. This year, Zimbabwe added another feather to their cap as they also have a women’s team that made it to the event’s next stage. Laura Chawe, a Zimbabwe women’s team member, said she was very excited to participate in her first-ever international tournament. “I am happy with the opportunity to represent my country. I hope we will enjoy the next days of chess.” The team of Maula prison, Malawi, also advanced to the next stage of the Intercontinental Online Chess Championship in the men’s section. Its players have been training hard and had a test tournament last week. Chess in Prison program at Maula Prison was launched just a year ago as a tool to improve the quality of life for prisoners. The Gift of Chess Foundation, in partnership with Dadaz Chess Academy as its country ambassador, provided the prison’s inmates with chess sets. They were also trained by Susan Namangale, founder of Dadaz Chess Academy and the Global Head of The Gift of Chess. Alongside the tournament, the Cook County Jail, Chicago, USA, hosted a meeting with representatives of the consulates of United Kindom, Germany, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Mexico and Mongolia, who visited the jail to greet the participants of the championship and take part in the round table dedicated to Chess in Prisons initiatives. Photo: Cook County Jail Tomorrow, 20 men teams, 6 women and 6 youth teams
Egyptian Chess Federation on World Cadet U8, U10 and U12 Championships 2023
Cairo 11th October 2023 To: All Participants of the WCCC 2023 Egypt Dear chess friends, I’d like to assure you that the Egyptian Government ensures security of all players and participants of WCCC 2023 at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The World Cadets Chess Championships 2023 is organized under the patronage of Egyptian Minister of Youth & Sports at Sharm El Sheikh Egypt 14 – 27 October 2023. Best regards, Dr. Hesham Elgendy, President Letter by Egyptian Chess Federation (pdf)
FIDE World Junior Rapid Championship: A Thrilling Start to a Grand Battle
The highly anticipated World Junior Rapid Chess Championship commenced on October 10, bringing together some of the brightest young chess talents from around the world at the “Maria Carta” Municipal Theatre in Pula, Sardinia. Hosted by the Italian Chess Federation, this prestigious tournament promises to be a battleground of skill, strategy, and intense competition. The technical meeting took place in the morning, with a significant turnout of registered players. Led by the Chief Arbiter, IA Stephane Escafre, the arbitral team provided essential instructions to both players and accompanying personnel regarding the regulations and guidelines of this event. The opening ceremony set the stage for an exciting competition. Chess enthusiasts, dignitaries, and players gathered to witness the beginning of the World Junior Rapid Chess Champion. On stage, the tournament director, GM Roberto Mogranzini, welcomed everyone and left the floor to FIDE Secretary General Lukasz Turlej and the mayor Walter Calabasino, who made the first ceremonial move in the competition. In the first round, all eyes were on the top boards, where even before the tournament began, the players garnered significant attention from spectators and chess enthusiasts. The duel on the first board Sadhwani – Casadio was among the most followed games, although due to an inaccuracy made by Black, the rating favourite scored a confident victory. However, in his next game, Sadhwani suffered a defeat at the hands of 16-seed Robert Piliposyan of Armenia, who is sharing the top position with Tobias Koelle (Germany) and Abilmansur Abdilkhair (Kazakhstan) after three rounds of play. In the girls’ section, Paula Hernandez Diaz of Mexico and Govhar Beyullayeva from Azerbaijan (pictured below, left) took a great start, netting 3/3 and jointly leading the race after the first day. Anastasia Kirtadze of Georgia is trailing the leaders by a half-point, while the top seed, Amina Kairbekova (Kazakhstan), is in 6th place with 2/3. Standings after Round 3: Open Girls The first day of the World Junior Rapid Chess Championship lived up to its billing as a showcase of young chess talent. With gripping battles, surprising upsets, and moments of brilliance, the stage is set for an unforgettable tournament. As the competition progresses, chess enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the unfolding drama and the emergence of the next generation of chess champions. Photos: Maria Balashova Official website: juniorrapidandblitz2023.com/
2023 IBCA World Championship starts in Rhodes, Greece
The 2023 IBCA World Chess Championship for the Blind and Visually Impaired kicked off on Monday, October 9, at the 5-star Rodos Palace Conference Hotel in Rhodes, Greece. The nine-round Swiss tournament features 82 players from 29 countries. Among them are one GM, five IMs and three FMs, making it one of the strongest IBCA World Championships ever. The President of IBCA, Dr Jadhav Charudatta, together with IBCA Vice-President Nikos Kalesis, welcomed the players and wished them the best of success. Dr Jadhav Charudatta also played the ceremonial 1st move of the tournament, officially launching the Championship. GM Marcin Tazbir (2499) of Poland tops the starting list, while FM Alexey Streltsov (2343, Israel), IM Predrag Nikac (2283, Montenegro), IM Oliver Mueller (2275, Germany) and FM Jorgen Magnusson (2240, Sweden) complete the top-5 rating favourites. Tournament schedule (local time): 09/10, 16:00 -> Round 110/10, 16:00 -> Round 211/10, 16:00 -> Round 312/10, 16:00 -> Round 413/10, 10:00 -> Excursion13/10, 16:00 -> Round 514/10, 16:00 -> Round 615/10, 10:00 -> IBCA Congress15/10, 16:00 -> Round 716/10, 16:00 -> Round 817/10, 14:00 -> Round 917/10, 21:30 -> Closing Ceremony You can find links to full results and pairings, tournament updates and photo highlights on the 2023 IBCA World Chess Championship for the Blind and Visually Impaired official website: worldchessfestival.com/ibca-wic2023. IBCA official website: ibca-info.org IBCA Facebook page: facebook.com/ibcachess
FIDE Statement regarding World Cadet U8, U10 and U12 Championships 2023
FIDE would like to officially confirm that the World Cadet U8, U10, and U12 Championships 2023 (Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, October 14-27) has not been cancelled. However, FIDE has asked local state authorities for clarification. Any changes in the dates or venue of the Championship will follow only in the case of official mandatory decisions of the Egyptian authorities. At the same time, we recommend all championship participants take into account the official safety recommendations that their national authorities may publish.
Ghana’s inmates get ready for International Chess Championship for Prisoners
Inmates from the Senior Correctional Centre in Accra, Ghana prepare to participate in the 3rd Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners. The event, scheduled for October 11-13, 2023, is a part of the Chess for Freedom Program, launched two years ago to promote chess as a tool for education and social inclusion in prisons worldwide. David Acheampong, founder of the Mentors Chess Academy, has been coaching some talented junior chess enthusiasts within the correctional facility, igniting their passion for the game. The boys will be representing Ghana in the youth section of the competition. Some months ago, David Acheampong provided chess sets donated by the Gifts of Chess, a US charity dedicated to promoting chess as an educational and rehabilitative tool, to the prison. These sets have become instrumental in the progress and empowerment of the inmates. Plans are also underway to begin the chess program at the Junior Girls Correctional Centre, extending the reach of this transformative endeavor. According to the prison authorities, participating in this championship is not just about competition; it’s about showcasing the resilience and potential of Ghana’s inmates on a global stage. Chess has become a source of pride, purpose, and rehabilitation for young inmates. Chess teaches them to be patient, think before they act, and help them to realize the consequences of their actions. Tournament regulations More info about the program can be found here: chessforfreedom.fide.com
Offerspill and Superchess are the European Club Cup champions
The 38th edition of the European Chess Club Cup and the 27th European Club Cup for Women has finished in Durres, Albania. The A 3½-2½ victory over Asnieres – Le Grand Echiquier allowed Offerspill to end the European Club Cup with 13 match points and win the open tournament. The team led by Magnus Carlsen showed an outstanding performance and a tremendous will to win. On their way to the victory, Offerspill didn’t lose a single match, conceding the opponents just a single match draw. Moreover, this has become the first victory for Magnus Carlsen in any European event. World #1 has also received another gold medal for the best performance on board 1. In this tournament Carlsen played in all but the first match and scored 5/6 points with 4 victories and 2 draws. Winner of the 2022 event, Novy Bor, finished second, one point behind the champions, while Gokturk Chess Sport Club won bronze medals. Final standings open Individual medal winners in the open section 1st board: 1 place – Magnus Carlsen (Offerspill)2 place – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Asnieres – Le Grand Echiquier)3 place – Iliya Smirin (Perfect) 2nd board: 1 place – Haik Martirosyan (Asnieres – Le Grand Echiquier)2 place – Tomas Laurusas (SK Javes Modra)3 board – Mustafa Yilmaz (Gokturk Chess Sport Club) 3rd board: 1 place – Jakov Sylvan (Skakklubben Nordkalotten)2 place – Anton Korobov (Schachclub Viernheim 1934 e.V.; pictured below)3 place – David Navara (Novy Bor) 4th board: 1 place – Tom Piceu (Koninklijke Brugse Schaakkring)2 place – Merab Gagunashvili (SK Zmaj)3 place – Ivan Saric (TAJFUN Ljubljana) 5th board: 1 place – David Anton Guijarro (Novy Bor)2 place – Eray Kilic (Gokturk Chess Sport Club)3 place – Ante Brkic (TAJFUN Ljubljana) 6th board (reserve): 1 place – Ediz Gurel (Turkish Airlines Sport Club)2 place – Imre Balog (Sentimento Ajka BSK)3 place – Endrit Uruci (Klubi I Shahut Ferizaj) There was no need to resort to tiebreak criteria to decide who gets gold in the women’s cup, either. Superchess scored outright victory after collecting six wins and one loss throughout the event. Garuda Ajka got silver, while Crvena Zvezda completed the podium taking bronze. Final standings women The individual medal winners in the women’s tournament: 1st board: 1 place – Bella Khotenashvili (Garuda Ajka)2 place – Nino Batsiashvili (Superchess)3 place – Jovanka Houska (Wood Green) 2nd board: 1 place – Anna Muzychuk (Monte Carlo)2 place – Lan Yao (Wood Green)3 place – Lela Javakhishvili (SP Gaz Ukraine) 3rd board: 1 place – Nataliya Buksa (TAJFUN Sk Ljubljana)2 place – Deimante Daulyte-Cornette (SP Gaz Ukraine)3 place – Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Monte Carlo) 4th board: 1 place – Teja Vidic (Offerspill)2 place – Teodora Injac (Garuda Ajka; pictured below)3 place – Adela Velikic (Crvena Zvezda) Text: official website Official website: clubcup2023.com/ Photo: Niki Riga
Asian Games: Iran and China win team competitions
The chess part of the 19th Asian Games is in the books. After Wei Yi and Zhu Jiner won the individual competitions a ten days ago, Iran and China clinched the titles in men’s and women’s team events, respectively. The men’s team competition, a 9-round Swiss event with classical time control, turned into a very close race of the rating favourites Iran, India, Uzbekistan, China and Vietnam. The Iranian players put in an excellent performance, conceding their rivals just two match draws (with India and Vietnam) and winning seven matches, including a crucial battle with Uzbekistan. Coming into the final round one point ahead of India, team Iran whitewashed South Korea (4-0) and secured the title. India made three match draws and finished a point behind the champions. Despite losing to Iran, the winners of the 44th Chess Olympiad, Uzbekistan, made it to the podium, winning bronze. Final standings men After drawing their first-round encounter vs Uzbekistan in the women’s tournament, Сhina steamrolled the competition, winning eight straight matches and deservedly taking gold. India gave the Chinese powerhouse a good run for their money, but after losing the crucial match to the main rival in Round 4, they could not catch up and had to settle for silver, scoring 15/18. Team Kazakhstan finished third on 13/18. Final standings women FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich attended the award ceremony and presented the medals to the champions and top finishers. He stressed the importance of chess’ returning to a great multi-sport event. “It’s an immense honour to see chess take its place among the elite sports at the Asian Games, standing tall alongside other Olympic disciplines. As we approach FIDE’s centenary next year, we can’t help but marvel at chess’s incredible journey. From a niche pursuit to a global sensation, chess now captures the hearts and minds of millions worldwide. Notably, its resurgence is most pronounced in Asia,” he said. FIDE President also thanked the organizers of the 19th Asian Games and expressed hope that chess would join the Olympics family someday: “While chess has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee, it has yet to feature in the Olympic Games. However, it’s encouraging to see chess as an exhibition sport in various events, including the European Games and the African Games, as well as part of the official program in some Central American and Caribbean Games. Today, we celebrate chess’s return to a grand stage here at the Asian Games, one of the world’s largest sporting events, second only to the Olympics itself. Chess deserves its place among Olympic sports, and we are deeply grateful to Hangzhou for embracing us.” After a 13-year hiatus, chess came back to the program of the 19th Asian Games, which took part from September 23 to October 8, 2023, in Hangzhou, China. This return gave our game broad exposure to one of the world’s most dynamically developing parts. Photos: Xinhua News Agency and Konstantin Kiselyov Official website: hangzhou2022.cn/
Chess South Africa elections to be held in November 2023
Dear chess community of South Africa, Aware of its responsibility for promoting the development of chess in South Africa, as well as the disastrous consequences of further delays in determining the permanent management of the federation, FIDE decided to hold elections for the leadership of Chess SA under its auspices on the following conditions: 1. Elections will be held on November 25, 2023. The exact location of the elections and the time will be announced later. 2. To resolve all issues, the Election Commission is approved in the following composition: FIDE Vice President Mr. Olalekan Emmanuel Adeyemi (the Reverse Delegate for South Africa Chess Federation) – Chairman; FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission Chairman Mr. Francois Strydom; FIDE Continental Advisor Mr. Benard Wanjala; FIDE Legal Director Mr. Aleksandr Martynov; SASCOC’s nominee (to be announced in due course). 3. All electoral matters including final decision about candidates and delegates admissibility will be subject of the Electoral Commission decision. All issues are resolved by the vote of a simple majority of the commission members, with equality, the chairman’s vote is decisive. 4. Delegates applying to represent a particular province in the elections must submit an application to the Electoral Commission no later than October 23, 2023. 5. Candidates submitting their candidacies must submit their applications no later than November 7, 2023. 6. The final decision on the approval of the submitted applications remains with the Election Commission. 7. Any delegate and candidate confirms in writing that they agree with the powers of the Election Commission, accepts any of its decisions as final and not subject to challenge in any courts or other jurisdictional bodies. 8. FIDE confirms that the duly elected officials will be officially recognized by FIDE as the legitimate representatives of Chess SA and that FIDE shall continue to recognise Chess SA as the national federation member of FIDE for South Africa. 9. FIDE calls on SASCOC to officially confirm that the duly elected officials will be recognized by SASCOC and that SASCOC’s suspension of Chess SA as SASCOC member will be lifted. 10. Any member of the chess family (as described in the FIDE Disciplinary and Ethics Code) who tries to obstruct the activities of the Electoral Commission on the organization and conduct of elections by applying to courts or other jurisdictional bodies other than the sports branch of the courts (applying to FIDE in accordance with the established procedure and further to CAS) or make him/herself guilty of a violation of the FIDE Disciplinary and Ethics Code and/or Articles 7 and 9 mutatis mutandis of the FIDE Electoral Rules) will be responsible according to the FIDE Disciplinary and Ethics Code of Ethics. A report against any such person will be filed with the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission immediately. 11. Further directives concerning the election will be issued by the Electoral Commission in due course, including making available the required nomination forms and furnishing the contact e-mail addresses of the Electoral Commission. 12. FIDE counts on the constructive co-operation of all role-players in South African chess.