Aleksandar Indjic wins 2024 European Championship
The 2024 European Individual Chess Championship concluded in Petrovac, Montenegro, with GM Aleksandar Indjic (SRB, 2623) crowned the tournament’s sole winner. Seeded 33rd, Indjic scored an impressive 9/11 points, remaining unbeaten throughout the event. GM Daniel Dardha (BEL, 2606) claimed the silver medal with 8.5/11 points, while GM Frederik Svane (GER, 2654) secured bronze. Heading into the final round with 8.5/10 points, a half-point lead over his closest rival Daniel Dardha, Indjic achieved a draw with black in their direct encounter to clinch the title. As many as 11 GMs tied for third place scoring 8 points each: Bogdan-Daniel Deac (ROU, 2687), GM Frederik Svane (GER, 2654), Daniil Yuffa (ESP, 2631), Ivan Cheparinov (BUL, 2632), Velimir Ivic (SRB, 2622), Robert Hovhannisyan (ARM, 2613), Mateusz Bartel (POL, 2613), Maksim Chiagev (ESP, 2605) Constantin Lupulescu (ROU, 2591), Kacper Piorun (POL, 2580), and Alexander Motylev (ROU, 2577). Frederik Svane (GER, 2654), who had the best Buchholz tiebreaker, took bronze. Final standings: 1 Indjic, Aleksandar SRB 2623 9 2 Dardha, Daniel BEL 2606 8½ 3 Svane, Frederik GER 2654 8 4 Deac, Bogdan-Daniel ROU 2687 8 5 Cheparinov, Ivan BUL 2632 8 6 Chigaev, Maksim ESP 2605 8 7 Yuffa, Daniil ESP 2631 8 8 Hovhannisyan, Robert ARM 2613 8 9 Motylev, Alexander ROU 2577 8 10 Piorun, Kacper POL 2580 8 Complete final standings and results IM Teodora Injac (SRB, 2429) emerged as the best-ranked female player with 6.5 points, edging out WFM Dana Kochavi (ISR, 2166) on Buchholz tiebreaks. WIM Sofia Pogorelskikh (SRB, 2252) finished third with 6 points. GM Ihor Samunenkov (UKR, 2523) was the top-ranked junior, finishing with 7 points, narrowly ahead of FM Erik Gasparyan (ARM, 2371) on tiebreaks. GM Yahli Sokolovsky (ISR, 2516) rounded out the top three with 6.5 points. GM Valeriy Neverov (UKR, 2401) claimed the title of best senior participant, scoring 7 points. Fellow Ukrainian GM Vasyl Ivanchuk (2640) also finished on 7 points but placed second due to inferior tiebreaks. GM Michele Godena (ITA, 2419) completed the senior podium with 6 points. The closing ceremony took place at 20:30 CET in the playing venue with the attendance of ECU Vice President Alojzije Jankovic, ECU Honorary Vice President Veselin Draskovic, President of the Montenegro Chess Federation Jovan Milovic, Minister of Transport of Montenegro Maja Vukicevic, legendary Montenegrin GM Bozidar Ivanovic and other distinguished guests. Photos: Stefana Milutinovic Official website: eicc2024.sahcg.me/
World Chess and FIDE open up Elite Chess Sponsorship to small businesses
In a move to make chess more accessible to businesses of all sizes, World Chess and the International Chess Federation (FIDE) have launched a sponsorship opportunity within the Women’s Wednesday Online Tournament Series. Traditionally reserved for larger brands, this new initiative invites small businesses to put their brand front and center in a global chess event at an affordable rate. About Swiss Queens Wednesdays The Women’s Wednesday Online Tournament Series, also known as Swiss Queens Wednesdays, is a weekly event that highlights the talents of elite female chess players from around the world. This series not only provides a platform for top female competitors but also promotes gender diversity and excellence in the game, attracting a highly engaged, international audience. For a sponsorship fee of $2,000, small businesses can become the exclusive sponsor of a Wednesday event, gaining high-impact brand exposure in front of a strategically minded and loyal community. It’s a unique way for smaller brands to join the global chess conversation and connect with a passionate, strategy-focused audience that shares an appreciation for thoughtfulness and precision. Key Sponsorship Benefits • Exclusive Brand Visibility: As the only sponsor for the tournament, your brand’s logo will be prominently displayed on event covers, certificates, and the live broadcast. This prime placement ensures that your brand stands out, with no other competing sponsors. • Extensive Reach: With over 2.5 million followers across World Chess and FIDE platforms and an estimated marketing impact of 11 million contacts, this sponsorship provides meaningful visibility in a unique and dedicated global space. • Support for Diversity in Chess: By partnering with Swiss Queens Wednesdays, your business joins an initiative that champions gender diversity, aligning your brand with a progressive mission that resonates with today’s audiences. A New Moment of Sponsorship in Chess This initiative marks a fresh approach to sponsorship in the world of elite chess, inviting small businesses to experience the impact of connecting with the chess community in a new, accessible way. If you’re a small business interested in exploring the power of chess in your marketing mix, learn more about Swiss Queens Wednesdays and secure your sponsorship here:worldchess.com/store/p/swiss-queens-wednsdays-sponsorship. World Chess and FIDE are proud to open up this exclusive opportunity and look forward to welcoming small businesses into the chess community.
2024 4th FIDE Council meeting: List of decisions
4th FIDE Council meeting November 10, 2024 Online List of decisions CM4-2024/01 To note President’s report. CM4-2024/02 To approve Treasurer’s report. CM4-2024/03 To approve FIDE Budget 2025-2026 and to send it to National Federations with a Treasurer’s cover letter. CM4-2024/04 To note the received payment from the Iranian Chess Federation and their updated guaranteed letter. To confirm the proposed debt repayment schedule. To decide that if the overdue debt according to the approved schedule and new FIDE invoices is 20 thousand euros or more and the delay period is 30 days or more, it will entail the automatic suspension of membership of the Iranian Chess Federation. CM4-2024/05 To note the updated guaranteed letter from the Mexican Chess Federation. To confirm the proposed debt repayment schedule. To decide that if any of the payments according to the approved schedule are delayed by more than 30 days, it will entail the automatic suspension of membership of the Mexican Chess Federation. CM4-2024/06 To note FIDE Calendar 2024/2025. CM4-2024/07 To note the Global Strategy Commission’s report. CM4-2024/08 To approve the Global Strategy Commission’s proposal regarding the last qualification spot to the Women Candidates 2026. CM4-2024/09 To note the Arbiters’ Commission’s report. CM4-2024/10 To approve the recommendations of the Arbiters’ Commission on Seminars, Classification upgrades, Amendments to the lecturer list, FA norms and titles. CM4-2024/11 To approve the recommendations of the Qualification Commission on titles. CM4-2024/12 To approve the Qualification Commission’s proposal regarding the update of the FIDE Rapid and Blitz Rating Regulations. Table of changes CM4-2024/13 To approve the recommendations of the Trainers’ Commission on titles and Academies. CM4-2024/14 To approve the recommendations of the Events Commission on titles. CM4-2024/15 To approve the recommendations of the Chess in Education Commission on titles. CM4-2024/16 To note the Commission’s for Women’s Chess report. CM4-2024/17 To note the Chess in Multi Sports Games Committee’s report. CM4-2024/18 To note the Rules Commission’s report. CM4-2024/19 To approve the Fair Play Commission’s proposals regarding FIDE FPL Appointment Regulations, FIDE FPL Financial Regulations (Table of Changes), Fair Play Protection Measures (Table of Changes), Fair Play Regulations (Table of Changes) and Chief Arbiter-Chief Fair Play Officer division of tasks. CM4-2024/20 To note the Planning and Development Commission’s report. CM4-2024/21 To note Continental Presidents’ reports. CM4-2024/22 To extend the authority of Mr. N Short as a reverse delegate for the Burkina Faso Chess Federation until the next FIDE General Assembly.
World Senior Championship 2024 starts in Porto Santo, Portugal
World Senior Championship 2024 kicked off on Sunday, November 17, on the premises of the Hotel Vila Baleira, in Porto Santo, Portugal. Around two hundred players are competing for the titles in the Open +50, Open +65, Women +50, and Women +65 sections, sharing a prize fund of €42,500. In the women’s competition, the organizers, FIDE, and the Portuguese Chess Federation (FPX) decided to merge the two categories into a single event, featuring 33 female players. Leading the women’s event is the legendary Nona Gaprindashvili, Women’s World Champion from 1962 to 1978, and the first female player to receive the GM title. Kiril Georgiev (BUL, 2553) and Zurab Sturua (GEO, 2502) top the starting lists for the Open +50 and Open +65, respectively. All three tournaments are 11-round Swiss events with classical time control. FPX is streaming 40 games, which can be followed on Lichess, and is providing live footage from the tournament room via YouTube and Twitch. The opening round brought some surprising results. In the women’s tournament, Nona Gaprindashvili was held to a draw by German FIDE Master Olga Birkholz (1875), who was undaunted by the Georgian legend’s formidable record and secured half a point. In the 50+ category, featuring 15 GMs, there were also a few unexpected outcomes. Second seed GM Gregory Kaidanov (USA, 2534) drew with Portuguese FM Fernando Ribeiro (2125) from Casa do Povo de Mangualde, while Germany’s Klaus Bischoff (2445) was unable to overcome the resistance of Scotland’s Alan Minnican (2071). In the +65 section, second seed German GM Rainer Knaak (2458) split the point with Argentinian FM Marcelo Ibar (2044). However, the highlight of the day was Israeli Abir Har-Even’s victory over IM Vladislav Nasybullin (2374) of Kazakhstan on the sixth board. Photos: Federação Portuguesa de Xadrez Official website: worldsenior.fpx.pt/
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FIDE Statement on the Carlsen – Niemann polemic
Last week, World Champion Magnus Carlsen resigned in a game played in an online competition against GM Hans Niemann before making his move two. The week before, he left an over-the-board tournament after losing the game to the same Mr. Niemann. These were not FIDE events; however, as the world’s chess governing body, it is our duty to protect the integrity of the game and its image, and in view that the incident keeps escalating, we find it necessary to take a step forward. First of all, we strongly believe that the World Champion has a moral responsibility attached to his status, since he is viewed as a global ambassador of the game. His actions impact the reputation of his colleagues, sportive results, and eventually can be damaging to our game. We strongly believe that there were better ways to handle this situation. At the same time, we share his deep concerns about the damage that cheating brings to chess. FIDE has led the fight against cheating for many years, and we reiterate our zero-tolerance policy toward cheating in any form. Whether it is online or “over the board”, cheating remains cheating. We are strongly committed to this fight, and we have invested in forming a group of specialists to devise sophisticated preventive measures that already apply at top FIDE events. As we have already done before, FIDE calls for reinforcing the cooperation between major online platforms, private events and top players – most of whom have already expressed their will to join efforts with FIDE. FIDE is prepared to task its Fair Play commission with a thorough investigation of the incident, when the adequate initial proof is provided, and all parties involved disclose the information at their disposal. We are fully aware that, in some cases, uncertainty can harm players’ performance. It also can be damaging to a player’s reputation – that’s why we insist on the anti-cheating protocols to be followed. It is our hope that this whole situation could have a long-term positive effect, if tackled properly. We propose to launch a dedicated Panel, that would include representatives of the leading chess platforms, Grandmasters, anti-cheating experts and FIDE officers, in order to fight this risk and prevent it becomes a real plague. Arkady Dvorkovich FIDE President
Free day of WCCC 2022 filled with chess activities
The free day of the FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships 2022 was packed with chess, with three interesting events on the menue: a solving competition, the 2022 Nesis Cup, and a friendly match between a ChessKid team and another comprised of kids from the Adjarian Chess Federation and Ukraine. 218 children from 39 federations took part in the solving competition, held in three age categories (under 8, 10 & 12). Each participant had 90 minutes to solve 8 positions (3 two-movers, 3 three-movers and 2 endgame studies). Each composition was rated on a five-point scale. The “Nesis Cup 2022”, a 9-round blitz tournament, was held for heads of delegations and accredited coaches. 59 players from 26 federations, including 11 GMs and 13 IMs, participated. Three players tied for the top position and in accordance with tiebreak variables GM Mikhail Kobalia took first place, GM Vladislav Kovalev came second and GM Davit Maghalashvili – third. Final stadings: https://chess-results.com/tnr677664.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9&flag=30 A “ChessKid” team and a team comprised of kids from the Adjarian Chess Federation and Ukraine played two friendly games on a big chessboard. Team “Chesskid” prevailed but there were no losers in this competition. All participants were given presents after the match. WCCC Director Akaki Iashvili awarded the Ukrainian kids with iPads. This friendly event was the culmination of the free day. From the seventh round, the players will continue fighting for the prizes and glory in the main tournaments.
Magnus Carlsen wins Julius Baer Generation Cup
Magnus Carlsen became the Julius Baer Generation Cup champion after crushing the “Indian Iceman” Arjun Erigaisi in the final final. Norway’s world number 1 needed just two games to take the seventh leg of the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour, ending Erigaisi’s challenge 2-0. It is Carlsen’s fourth tournament win of the Tour season and extends his advantage at the top of the overall leaderboard. For 19-year-old Erigaisi, he can take huge credit for a stunning run to the final. International Master Jovanka Houska said: “Magnus in killer mode. He’s just relentless. He really is not stopping here. If we had any doubt Magnus would slip up, he has come in here today in absolute fighting mode. He is the beast.” Carlsen eve allowed himself a smile afterwards. “I’m very happy,” he said. “I played very much throughout this match ‘anti-young player chess’, in the sense I tried to play older, less theoretical lines that have some serious strategic complexity and it worked out very well. Going into the last match today, Carlsen already had one hand on the trophy having ended beaten Erigaisi, one of India’s brightest talents, 2.5-0.5 yesterday. Erigaisi, who has been so impressive throughout the event, simply folded again as Carlsen didn’t give him a chance. There are two more tournament left in the 2022 Meltwater Tour, one Regular in October and one Major in November, to decide the winner. Carlsen and Erigaisi are already qualified for the eight-player Major in San Francisco. For further comments contact: Leon Watson leon@championschesstour.com
FIDE WGP Astana: Kateryna Lagno joins the lead
Three players tied for first in the Astana Women’s Grand Prix with four rounds to go. Grand Prix events are long and tiring. Eleven games plus travel essentially means two full weeks abroad, in addition to time allocated for training purposes. The free day at the halfway point of the event is very much appreciated by the players – and officials/volunteers – to recharge their batteries for the last rounds. Most of the players hang around the official hotel, relaxing, maybe watching a movie, or using the gym. Nonetheless, the tournament organizers happily provided a bus and a guide for a wonderful three-hour trip to visit the city’s highlights. Getting to know the city where you are playing is a must for most of us, and Astana doesn’t let you down. Back to today’s seventh round, the Minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan, Dauren Abayev, made the ceremonial first move today in the games Abdumalik vs Kosteniuk and Assaubayeva vs Shuvalova. Zhu, Jiner — Vaishali, Rameshbabu (0.5-0.5) To date, Zhu Jiner and Vaishali had only faced each other once, in the Hou Yifan rapid play challenge in 2021, in which the Chinese wonder girl emerged victorious. In today’s game, Vaishali mixed it up and went for the Sveshnikov variation, diverting from the Accelerated Dragon she used successfully in the first round against Lagno. It quickly became clear that both players had prepared very well: they blitzed out their first twenty moves, following several games played by the mighty Ivanchuk, and eventually went for a forced mass piece simplification. An uneventful draw was agreed on move 31 in a completely equal rook ending. Vaishali spent less than 25 minutes for the full game: impressive opening preparation with Black. With this result, she remains on 50% in the middle of the standings while Zhu Jiner maintains her spot at the top. Abdumalik, Zhansaya — Kosteniuk, Alexandra (0-1) Dominating her opponent by 3-1 in classical games and also many rapid and blitz games, Alexandra Kosteniuk has always been a tough rival for Kazakhstan’s number one female player. In addition, Kosteniuk has been crushing with the Black pieces here in Astana, although her performances with White have been much less impressive. In the second game to finish, Abdumalik surprised her opponent with the rare 5.Re1 side-line in the Italian opening. I noticed in the playing hall that Kosteniuk took a moment before responding 5…Ng4 but then blitzed out her next moves: a piece sacrifice was in the making. Zhansaya was playing very fast: it was clear that she was in home preparation, but the position seemed quite dangerous for White. She won a pawn but had to weaken her kingside to hold it. In the commentary booth, GM Ilya Smirin believed that she had a very dangerous position. After 16…g6! White’s position was crumbling, and after 17.Qe1 Abdumalik was lost, although the alternatives were not much better. With the piece sacrifice 17…Nxg4, Kosteniuk opened the way for the rest of her pieces, and the game was essentially over. “In modern chess, to win with Black is quite an achievement,” Kosteniuk stated in her post-game interview. Tan, Zhongyi — Kashlinskaya, Alina (1-0) Today’s game was an important one for Poland’s number one female player. A win with Black against out-of-form Tan Zhongyi would catapult her to the head of the table. Kashlinskaya took advantage of the free day to refresh her knowledge of the Semi-Tarrasch variation of the Queen’s Gambit, which, according to my database, she had only played once against Goryachkina in 2013. Her opening decision definitely came as a surprise for Tan Zhongyi. Faced with a choice of variations, she opted for the solid 5.e3 and 6.a3 line and the game transposed into a variation of the Queen’s Gambit Accepted, which also isn’t a regular line in Alina’s repertoire. Black did get the bishop pair but fell behind in development. However, Tan Zhongyi couldn’t capitalize on her initiative, and, with a symmetrical pawn structure, the position fizzled out into an equal endgame. Just when the draw seemed to be the most logical result, Kashlinskaya misplayed her chances, and suddenly, her king was in danger: pawn sacrifices were needed to avoid a direct disaster, and Tan Zhongyi didn’t let her second chance go away. The Chinese GM shared her thoughts about the game in a short interview. Wagner, Dinara — Lagno, Kateryna (0-1) For the third time in the event, Dinara Wagner chose the Catalan Opening for today’s important game against Lagno. Well-prepared, Kateryna went for a new and very aggressive stonewall setup with Black, launching her kingside pawns against White’s castled king: Lagno was going all-out for the win from the get-go. 15…h4! might have been an improvement, but Black’s slow play on the queenside allowed Wagner to break open with 19.f3! and get back into the game. Once again, very low on time – Wagner’s plague in the tournament – she sacrificed a pawn for the attack, but her own king was also very weak. “My king was unsafe. If I missed one check, it could not be good. So, I tried to focus until the very end,” explained Lagno in her post-game interview. At some point, Wagner’s plan backfired, and Lagno was in the driving seat, bringing back the full point. With this important win with Black, Kateryna Lagno ties for first with Goryachkina and Zhu Jiner, with four rounds to go. Paehtz, Elisabeth — Goryachkina, Aleksandra (0.5-0.5) This match-up is a classic. They have been facing each other for the past ten years with a more or less equal record. But while Goryachkina is leading the tournament, Paehtz is in need of points: she is currently on -2. Things started off well for the top German female player: in an Exchange Slav, she developed a strong initiative on the kingside and Goryachkina was on the defence. But Aleksandra pulled herself together and gradually improved her position, to a point where she was even much better:
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Monika Socko, European Women’s Champion FIDE Congress 2022 Yuri Averbakh & Isaac Boleslavsky Book Awards 2022 Chessable Research Awards open for applications READ NEWSLETTER