The Argentine Olympic Committee’s “Olympic Beach” was officially inaugurated in Argentina—an initiative designed to bring sports and Olympic values to the country’s coastlines as a prelude to the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games.
The formal opening took place on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Horizonte Beach Club in Mar del Plata. The event was attended by the President of the COA, Mario Moccia; the Governor of Santa Fe Province, Maximiliano Pullaro; Olympic athletes; and local authorities, including Javier Curilen, Vice President of the Argentine Chess Federation (FADA).
Under the leadership of Mario Petrucci, Executive Director of FADA, member of the COA, and representative on FIDE’s Chess in Multinational Sports Games Committee, the Argentine Chess Federation has integrated chess into the Olympic Beach activies.
The program runs from January 7 to February 1 across eight key locations: Mar del Plata, Chapadmalal, Miramar, Pinamar, Cariló, Villa Gesell, Rosario, and Concepción del Uruguay. It features beach sports competitions and exhibitions, free clinics, activities for children and youth, environmental cleanups, and more.
During the opening event in Mar del Plata, the Mar del Plata Chess Federation organized a Blitz tournament at “Varese” Beach, along with open boards for casual play, simultaneous exhibitions, and inclusive activities for all ages.
Summer chess in Argentina is moving at an Olympic pace!