FIDE Candidates 2024: Exciting second round sees six victories
The second round of the FIDE Candidates brought a day full of excitement. Feeling more settled in the playing hall, the players of the FIDE Candidates delivered a day full of decisive outcomes, with six out of eight games producing a winner. In the FIDE Candidates Tournament, all four games ended in victories. The first game to finish was Vidit’s brilliant spectacle against Hikaru Nakamura. Everything went right for him: first, his preparation worked perfectly, and then he managed to build up on another impressive bishop sacrifice. The novelty 8…c6 in the Berlin Defense was prepared by his team, but Vidit did not reveal who came up with this idea. On the 11th move, the Indian player offered a bishop sacrifice on h3. 11…Bxh3! This piece was poisoned, and Nakamura, realizing this, did not capture it. However, this allowed Black to develop an initiative and eventually convert it into a full point. At the post-game press conference, Vidit was brimming with delight, calling this game one of the best ones in his career. In our Indian derby between two prodigies, Gukesh D gained the upper hand on Praggnanandhaa R. It was a complicated game requiring precise defence, which Gukesh executed perfectly. Praggnanandhaa’s initiative petered out, allowing Gukesh, playing with Black, to capitalize on his extra material. The rating favourite of the event, Fabiano Caruana, defeated the underdog Nijat Abasov in a confident manner that did not leave his opponent many opportunities for counterplay. “The game was quite tough; there was a lot of calculation. I think I got a lucky break at the end because he collapsed in a very surprising way by taking on b3, 34…Bxb3.” After 34…Bxb3? (better was 34…Qe6) 35. Qxb3 Rxa5? 36.Rf1! White penetrates to f7 with decisive effect as 36…R5a7 fails to 37.e6! He added, “It’s very complicated, and it’s the type of advantage where you make one mistake and it completely slips away.” The last game to finish was the wild encounter between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Alireza Firouzja, where Nepomniachtchi’s king marched to the center of the board and surprisingly found shelter from Black’s desperate attack. The players were following the 2022 game between Durarbayli and Rodshtein (which White won) in the Berlin Defense up to move 16. This is when Firouzja deviated and made the bold choice of capturing the pawn on d3. A very interesting position emerged as a result, with White a pawn down and a damaged kingside structure, but with a lot of piece activity and attacking possibilities as compensation. Nepomniachtchi confessed that he was out of concrete preparation after 18…Qe8, but decided to play h4 on move 19, which is the recommended move in the other lines he remembered. Wild complications ensued, but Nepomniachtchi was always confident that he was the only one pressing for a win. In the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, Tan Zhongyi extended her lead with a second victory. She gradually outplayed Vaishali R, finishing the game off with a knight sacrifice. 34. Ng6+! and Black immediately capitulated in view of 34…Kg8 35. Nxe7+ followed by 36. gxf6 1-0 Tan confessed that she did not use her opening preparation but was more familiar with the resulting position, which helped her to develop the right plan and execute it. The rating favourite of the event, Aleksandra Goryachkina, won against Anna Muzychuk and is now trailing Tan by half a point. She enjoyed a comfortable advantage in the endgame, which emerged from the Slav Defense. “I liked how I played. It was a complicated position, but for Black, it was more difficult to play, and my opponent did not manage to defend successfully”, said Goryachkina after the game. When asked about her general plan for this event, she said, “I will be a typical athlete and say that I have a plan and I am following it,” referencing a famous sports meme. The games between Kateryna Lagno and Humpy Koneru, as well as Nurgyul Salimova and Lei Tingjie, were drawn. The third round of the event will commence on the 6th of April at 14:30 EDT (Toronto). Standings after Round 2 Open: 1-4. Caruana, Gukesh, Nepomniachtchi, Vidit – 1.5; 5-8. Abasov, Firouzja, Nakamura, Praggnanandhaa – 0.5 Women: 1. Tan Zhongyi – 2; 2. Goryachkina – 1.5; 3-5. Koneru, Salimova, Lagno – 1; Muzychuk, Lei, Vaishali R – 0.5 Round 3 pairings: Open Abasov – NakamuraFirouzja – CaruanaGukesh D – NepomniachtchiVidit – Praggnanandhaa R Women Anna Muzychuk – LagnoLei – GoryachkinaVaishali R – SalimovaKoneru – Tan Written by WGM Anna Burtasova Photos: Michal Walusza and Maria Emelianova/Chess.com Official website: candidates2024.fide.com/ Partners:
FIDE Candidates: Tan Zhongyi leads after first round
After the dust has settled, the inaugural round of the Candidates Tournament brought us one decisive result – Tan Zhongyi’s win over Lei Tingjie – and many exciting games which finished peacefully. The FIDE Candidates Tournament and FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament have kicked off in Toronto. Sixteen contenders—eight men and eight women – battle to be crowned the Challenger for the World Championship and are playing under the same roof at the Great Hall, located in West Queen West, the city’s centre of artistic innovation. In the Candidates Tournament, all the games finished in draws. Nijat Abasov, playing Ian Nepomniachtchi, was one of the first players to leave the playing hall. Abasov, who’s wearing a special knee brace, revealed he was injured during a soccer game and was barely walking a week ago. “Everyone told me I had to work on my physical shape, so I played a football match, and unfortunately, I tore my ACL. After that, I had to undergo surgery about a month ago, and now I am recovering.” Despite this setback, the injury did not stop him from keeping the game solid and making a comfortable draw with White against Nepomniachtchi, the winner of the previous two Candidates Tournaments. The Indian derby between Gukesh and Vidit saw a brilliant 17…Bg4 from Vidit, who was playing with the black pieces. After the game, he was not sure that this was the right way to proceed, as it led to a draw, but he could not resist executing such a beautiful move. For Gukesh, this move came as a surprise, but he had sufficient time remaining on the clock to realise that the bishop was poisoned and, in fact, posed no danger. Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura, two spectator favourites, did not disappoint with an exciting game. Nakamura chose the bold and risky 5…e5, which came as an unexpected surprise for Caruana, who, of course, knew that “this move exists” but had not analysed it in depth before the game. Nevertheless, Caruana got a comfortable position, where one single mistake could cost Black the game. With little time on the clock remaining and no increment, he made a decision to go into a line with no risk. This, however, also brought about an easier defence for Black and the subsequent draw. Both players were satisfied with the result and considered this a fine start to their tournament. The last players to finish in the first round of the Candidates Tournament were Praggnanandhaa and Alireza Firouzja. The two young stars played a very double-edged game, with both sides striving to reach the opponent’s king. The computer evaluation, however, was always nearly equal, and the game ended with a perpetual check. In the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, Tan Zhongyi raced into an early lead with a win over Lei Tingjie. After winning a pawn, she demonstrated impeccable endgame technique until the very end, outplaying her compatriot in and not leaving Lei any chance for counterplay. Tan Zhongyi is a former Women’s World Champion, winning her title in a knockout format in 2017 and subsequently losing it to her compatriot and current Women’s World Champion, Ju Wenjun. This first-round win is a strong indication to the rest of her colleagues that she’s serious in her pursuit of regaining the Women’s World Champion title. The remaining three matchups, Aleksandra Goryachkina vs Kateryna Lagno, Vaishali R vs Humpy Koneru, and Anna Muzychuk vs Nurgyul Salimova, were all fairly balanced, and draws came as a logical result. Nurgyul Salimova, playing in her very first Candidates, said that she was happy to start the event with a draw and become familiar with the playing hall and the tournament routine to offset her pre-tournament nervousness and excitement. The venue’s fan zone was buzzing with excitement, too. Eric Hansen and Aman Hambleton, popularly known as the Chessbrahs, were the hosts, conducting live commentary and engaging with the audience. The second round will commence on April 5th at 2:30 pm EDT (Toronto). Standings after Round 1: FIDE Candidates Tournament: 1-8. Caruana, Abasov, Firouzja, Gukesh D, Vidit, Praggnanandhaa R, Nepomniachtchi, Nakamura – 0.5 points FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament: 1. Tan – 1; 2-7. Goryachkina, Anna Muzychuk, Vaishali R, Koneru, Salimova, Lagno – 0.5; 8. Lei – 0 Round 2 pairings: FIDE Candidates Tournament: Nakamura – ViditPraggnanandhaa R – Gukesh DNepomniachtchi – FirouzjaCaruana – Abasov FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament: Lagno – KoneruTan – Vaishali RSalimova – LeiGoryachkina – Anna Muzychuk Written by WGM Anna Burtasova Photos: Michal Walusza and Maria Emelianova//Chess.com Official website: candidates2024.fide.com/ Partners:
16th edition of “Preparation of Teachers” course announced
Embark on an extraordinary journey into the world of chess education! Get ready for the 16th edition of the “Preparation of Teachers” course hosted by the FIDE Chess in Education Commission. When: April 26-28, 2024 Where: Online, conducted in English Presenters: commission members Anzel Laubscher and Boris Bruhn Target audience: Teachers, chess educators, beginner and advanced players with basic chess knowledge, and anyone with experience working with children. Read the detailed course description here. Don’t miss out on your ticket to becoming a certified FIDE School Instructor! Plus, gain exclusive lifelong access to the premium OPENING MASTER chess databases upon successful completion. Secure your spot now by registering here. Registration closes on April 22, with only 20 spots available! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at edu.courses@fide.com
FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 opens in Toronto
The historic FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 kicked off in Toronto with the inaugural press conference and the Opening Ceremony at the welcoming 1 Hotel Toronto, a sustainable sanctuary in the heart of downtown. George Sovatzis, the Director of Sales and Marketing, set the tone with a warm welcome address. “We take immense pride in being part of this competition as it makes its North American debut,” he said. The press conference, moderated by Anna Burtasova, the event’s Press Officer, featured notable speakers: Emil Sutovsky, CEO of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Vladimir Drkulec, President of the Chess Federation of Canada Fabiano Caruana (USA), the top-rated contender in the FIDE Candidates Tournament Vaishali R (India), one of the youngest participants in the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament When asked about the decision to host the tournament in Toronto, Sutovsky explained, “North America has not seen world championship cycle competitions. However, we were well aware of the chess boom in Canada, with a lot of young players emerging. There are a lot of chess fans in the country. The Scheinberg family’s support for staging the event here, coupled with the backing of the Chess Federation of Canada, made it a logical choice. Judging by the feedback we are getting, by the interest from the fans and the media and by the government’s support, it was the right decision.” Drkulec addressed a recent hiccup that had the community on edge: visa delays for the participants. “We embarked on an adventure to mobilize our entire chess community, ensuring timely visas for the players. I’ve never witnessed so many chess parents, former players, current players, and many others rallying together. We’ve managed to connect with over a dozen Members of Parliament and four Ministers, ultimately resolving the situation. It was amazing to get all this support.” Caruana said he doesn’t feel the pressure from the fact that he’s the rating favourite of the event. “We know that every player here can potentially win the tournament if they bring their best game. The numbers say something about the past performances, but I think it will be a mistake to take any of the players lightly.” The upcoming tournament marks a series of firsts. Not only is Canada hosting this prestigious event as it debuts in North America, the FIDE Candidates Tournament and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament are being played under one roof for the very first time. Additionally, it’s a momentous occasion as siblings Vaishali R and Praggnanandhaa R compete side by side in this high-caliber event, which has never occurred before. “We discuss our games all the time and help each other throughout various events,” confirmed Vaishali. “We also have our mother here with us; this family support is very important to us.” The Opening Ceremony of the tournament set a delightful tone. Aris Marghetis, the Chief Arbiter, donned a different hat as he hosted the event alongside the charming Charlize Van Zyl. Drkulec took the stage first, expressing gratitude to FIDE and the Scheinberg Family, the main sponsor of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024, without whom this event would not have been possible. Adding a touch of humor, Kevin Vuong, Member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York, shared a witty anecdote from his own days as a chess player 22 years ago. Each player was then invited to the stage to receive a welcome bag filled with tournament merchandise. A special question awaited them, such as “Oppenheimer or Barbie?” added a personal touch to the proceedings. Alireza Firouzja enthusiastically exclaimed, “Barbie!” while Ian Nepomniachtchi playfully disagreed by declaring, “Definitely Oppenheimer!” Sutovsky then took to stage and awarded the FIDE Medal of Merit to Isai Scheinberg. The significance of this award is marked by the fact that it had not been presented since 1994. In his acceptance speech, Isai shared that his support for chess was a tribute to his father, who had participated in two Chess Olympiads before pursuing a career in medicine. Both tournaments will be set in motion on April 4 at 14:30 local time with the first round. Watch the event live on FIDE YouTube with star commentators GM Viswanathan Anand and GM Irina Krush. Written by WGM Anna Burtasova Photos: Michal Walusza Official website: candidates2024.fide.com/ Partners:
Aktobe Open – Vladimir Dvorkovich Memorial announced
The Kazakhstan Chess Federation invites you to participate in the International Chess Tournament Aktobe Open 2024, dedicated to the memory of Vladimir Dvorkovich, a renowned arbiter and prominent figure in the chess world. The tournament is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The general partner is Freedom Holding Corp. while Aktobe Copper Company acts as a partner of the competition. Dates: from May 24 (day of arrival) to June 3 (day of departure). Location: ACE Tennis Club, 2, Mangilik El St., Aktobe. The Aktobe Open will be held in two sections: Masters Tournament for GM, FM, IM, WGM, WIM, and WFM ranked 2400 and above (men) and 2200 and above (women) as of May 1, 2024. The organizing committee provides support only for invited athletes with a rating above 2600 as of May 1, 2024 (the list of invited participants is formed by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation). Open Tournament is for players rated 1800 – 2399 as of May 1, 2024. Both events are 9-round Swiss tournaments with classical time control (90 minutes + 30 seconds increment). The guaranteed prize fund for the Masters Tournament is 45,000,000 KZT (approximately $100,000), with 9,000,000 KZT (approximately $20,000) going to a winner. Special prizes will be awarded to the three best women and three best Kazakhstani players. The guaranteed prize fund for the Open Tournament is 4,550,000 KZT. Special prizes will be awarded to the best women, veterans (born in 1964 or earlier), and boys and girls under 14 and under 10. Applications for participation in tournaments are submitted on the website of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation: kazchess.kz/pay Regulations for Aktobe Open – Vladimir Dvorkovich Memorial (pdf)
Daniel Barrish and Jesse February win South African Closed Championship
Congratulations to FM Daniel Barrish and WIM Jesse February, winners of the 2024 South African Closed Chess Championships hosted by the Cape Town Chess Federation at the Newlands Cricket Ground. Both open and women’s tournaments were 12-player round robins with classical time control. Fifth seed Daniel Barrish delivered an impressive performance, taking clear first in the open section, finishing a full point ahead of the runner-up FM Caleb Levitan. The champion scored 8/11 and became the only unbeaten player in the tournament. IM Jan Karsten netted 6.5/11 and won bronze. Final standings open: 1 FM Barrish, Daniel 2218 8 2 FM Levitan, Caleb 2235 7 3 IM Karsten, Jan 2323 6½ 4 Mnyasta, Charlton 2123 6 FM Mhango, Banele 2193 6 6 IM Cawdery, Daniel 2380 6 7 Mnguni, Jacob 2134 6 8 IM Kobese, Watu 2268 6 9 FM Klaasen, Calvin 2155 5½ 10 FM Simpson, Michael 2093 4 11 Mfazwe, Lutho 1956 2½ 12 CM Khumalo, Keith 2079 2½ Fresh from her triumph in the African Championship, Jesse February dominated the women’s competition, conceding her opponents just a half-point. WIM Charlize Van Zyl (9/11) and WFM Chloe Badenhorst (8/11) completed the podium. Final standings women: 1 WIM February, Jesse 1920 10½ 2 WIM Van Zyl, Charlize 1909 9 3 WFM Badenhorst, Chloe 1917 8 4 Klaasen, Robyn 1746 6½ 5 Nel, Hayley 1678 6 6 Strong, Davida 1672 5½ 7 Boshoma, Chisomo 1780 5 8 Grobbelaar, Jacqui 1726 4½ 9 Rautenbach, Helen 1586 3½ 10 WIM Laubscher, Anzel 1820 3 11 Joya, Imkhita 1656 2½ 12 Van Zyl, Bea 1507 2 The senior section was jointly won by CM Dr Lyndon Bouah and FM Dr Shabier Bhawoodien, who could not be separated by tie-breaks. Based on the competition results, the following players were selected to represent South Africa at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary in September 2024: OPEN: FM Daniel BarrishFM Caleb Levitan (13 years old)IM Jan Karsten (15 years old)Charlton Mnyasta (18 years old)FM Banele Mhango LADIES: WIM Jesse FebruaryWIM Charlize van ZylWFM Chloe Badenhorst (17 years old)Robyn KlaasenHayley Nel (17 years old) Photo: Flashlight Pictures
Kirill Alekseenko trimphs in VIII Open Semana Santa
GM Kirill Alekseenko (Austria) is the triumphant champion of the eighth edition of the prestigious Semana Santa (Holy Week) International Chess Open. This highly anticipated event, supported by the FIDE Aid Package, was hosted in the Ginés Alenda pavilion in San Vicente del Raspeig from March 27 to April 1, witnessing an impressive turnout of nearly 600 players. Alekseenko turned in a commanding performance, scoring 8/9 and taking clear first thanks to a crucial final-round victory over Stamatis Kourkoulos-Arditis (Greece). GM Kasper Piorun (Poland), who drew his last-round game, and IM Dimitris Alexakis (Greece) finished a half-point behind the champion and tied for second place, with the former claiming silver thanks to a better Buchholz. Final standings Group A There was a three-way tie for the top position in the B Tournament. Based on the Buchholz tiebreaker, Zhuravlev (FIDE) came out on top, followed by Carretero Ajo in second and Vila Castillo (both Spain) in third. Impressively, throughout the course of the tournament, a total of seven title norms were successfully completed, including six IM and one GM. Final standings Group B The closing ceremony took place in the sports hall, and the prizes were awarded by the president of the Dama Negra Chess Club and organizer of the event, Patricia Claros, the representative of Chess Excelsior, David García, the representative of the International Chess Federation, Patrick Van Hoolandt, the president of the Chess Federation of the Valencian Community, Emilio González Gómez and the editor of Europe Echecs, Jean Michel Pechine. Photos: Luis Barona
FIDE World Cup Under 8, 10, 12: Personal right players
According to 3. 4. A of WC regulations, top 3 players from each age category (6 X 3 = 18 players) by FIDE standard rating (1st April 2024) have personal rights to participate. The above mentioned personal right players will be provided with free full board accommodation (in twin share rooms) from 22 of June (lunch) to 3 of July (breakfast). The personal right players will also get compensation for air-tickets – 600 Euros for players from Europe and 1200 for players from other continents. The list of top players by FIDE standard rating (1st April 2024): Open 8 Name FED ELO 1 Protopopescu, Luca FRA 1929 2 McCallum, Elliot CRO 1850 3 Stanisic, Lukas CAN 1840 Girls 8 Name FED ELO 1 Xin, Stella USA 1807 2 Balakanova, Azaliya KAZ 1728 3 Zhou, Abigail USA 1702 Open 10 Name FED ELO 1 Llari, Marc FRA 2182 2 Chakrabarty, Reyaansh AUS 2085 3 Ivanovic, Leonid SRB 2082 Girls 10 Name FED ELO 1 Sivanandan, Bodhana ENG 2065 2 Charvi A IND 1956 3 Amr Abid, Nourseen EGY 1893 Open 12 Name FED ELO 1 Oro, Faustino ARG 2330 2 Mendes Aaron Reeve CAN 2288 3 Filindash, Nikita CZE 2282 Girls 12 Name FED ELO 1 Li, Iris USA 2136 2 Sivanandan, Bodhana ENG 2065 3 Quickpen, Deborah NGR 1984 The two categories below also have personal rights (only free full board in twin share rooms) to participate in World Cup in Batumi: 6 nominations (one in each age category) shall be sent by the Continental President’s offices: 6 nominations X 4 continents = totally 24 players. Specific registrations are national federations responsibility. Top 3 winners of the corresponding age – category or a higher age category of the 2023 World Cadets Championships (Egypt), if the age stipulation designated in the regulations is met.https://chess-results.com/tnr832523.aspx?lan=1&art=28&flag=30 DEADLINES: The registration deadline is April 22th 2024. If any player or any continent does not accept the invitation by April 22th 2024, the places will become additional organizer’ wildcards. In order to ensure proper tournament standards, FIDE member federations must fully complete the excel registration form and send it back to the contact person before the registration deadline April 22th 2024. Incomplete registrations will not be accepted. WC will be played with two stages. Stage 1 will be a 7-round Swiss system tournament. In Stage 2, players who finish in the same position in each group will play against each other. PRIZES: 6 Playing categories X 3 Players each category = 18 players (Open 8, 10, 12 + Girls 8, 10, 12) I Cup, Medal, Diploma, MacBook Air 2022 II Cup, Medal, Diploma, iPhone 15 III Cup, Medal, Diploma, IPAD The three top finishers in each age category/any gender will get free FB (in twin share rooms with bath and/or shower) for the World Cadets championship of the same year. Each participant will receive an appropriate certificate. Contact Information E-mail: wcc@fide.com Official website: wcc2024.fide.com/ World Cup U8-10-12 players with personal rights (pdf) Photo: Mark Livshitz
World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2024 to take place in August
FIDE is proud to announce the second edition of the World Team Championship, which will this time also include a World Blitz Team Championship Following the success of the inaugural tournament held in Dusseldorf (Germany) in August 2023, the second event aims to bring more excitement and drama with the inclusion of the Blitz competition. “We are very excited that this event is going into its second season and that we have also added another competition to the format, making it even more exciting. Alongside the World Corporate Championship we are organizing this year, the World Rapid and Blitz Team events are another example of FIDE’s continued investment in promoting chess to different audiences,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. The tournament will be held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, between August 1 and 6, and is expected to bring together a number of top world professionals and chess lovers, as was the case in the first edition in Dusseldorf in 2023. Each team must have at least six but no more than nine players. Among them, they have to have at least one woman player as well as a player who has never achieved a 2000 Elo Rating, in either Rapid or Blitz, up to and including on the July 2024 FIDE rating list. In a significant promotional boost for the event, former world champion Magnus Carlsen – who is also the world’s top-rated chess player (and holder of the world titles in Rapid and Blitz) – will also be playing in the Championships. 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. Photo: Anna Shtourman The event will be broadcast live online with star commentators and special guests. Prizes The World Rapid and Blitz Championship features a total prize fund of 350,000 Euros (380,000 US dollars), with 250,000 allocated for the Rapid and 100,000 for the Blitz. Apart from the financial rewards, every member of the top three placed teams (players and captains) will receive a medal. Format and Time Control The Rapid and Blitz tournaments will be played under different pairing regulations. The Rapid tournament will consist of 12 rounds played under the Swiss system, with a time control of 15 minutes and a 10-second increment per move. The Blitz tournament will have two stages: in the first stage, teams will be grouped into pools based on their strength. Each pool shall play a round-robin tournament with no more than seven rounds. From this stage, 16 teams will qualify for the second phase – the knockout tournament. The time control for the Blitz will be three minutes for the whole game with an increment of two seconds per move, starting from move one. The scoring system in both competitions will be based on matchpoints: a win scores two points, a draw scores one point, and a loss scores zero points. The full regulations of the event can be found here. Registration Registration will start soon and will be open until July 1, 2024, 12 PM Lausanne time. A maximum of 80 teams can take part (10 teams with the highest average ratings and the remaining 70 teams will be selected based on the earliest registrations). Continued support from Freedom Holding The main partner of the event will be Freedom Holding, which has in recent years sponsored several top chess events and brought them to Kazakhstan in an effort to develop the country’s chess potential. “We are delighted to partner with FIDE in making this event possible. Our commitment to chess continues in 2024 with our ambition to promote the game globally but also in Kazakhstan, where we have helped organize and sponsor a number of events in recent years,” said Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding and the head of Kazakhstan Chess Federation. About Freedom Holding Corp. Freedom Holding Corp. is a US-based financial services holding company. Through its operating subsidiaries, Freedom Holding provides services like retail securities brokerage, research, investment counselling, securities trading, market-making, retail banking, corporate investment banking and underwriting services in Eurasia. The Company has retail locations in the USA, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, UAE, Germany, Great Britain, France, Spain and Poland. In Kazakhstan, the company is developing a digital ecosystem under the Freedom brand. The ecosystem already provides services in the field of investment banking and stock market brokerage, digital banking, online insurance, telecommunications, air and event ticket sales, digital car service, smartphone sales and other areas. Freedom Holding Corp. shares are traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York under the ticker symbol FRHC. The activities of the company are regulated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Official website: freedomholdingcorp.comWebsite of the digital ecosystem: ecosystem.ffin.kz/en
Breaking the limits: How FIDE’s Infinite Chess project helps people with autism
Five years since its launch, the Infinite Chess project has expanded globally, offering valuable insights to the chess community on its potential to enhance the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum The World Health Organization notes that autism affects one in every 100 children worldwide. In 2007, The United Nations General Assembly established April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) to raise awareness and provide opportunities for people with autism not only to survive but also to prosper. In 2019, FIDE answered the call and launched the Infinite Chess project aiming to help children with autism thrive using chess as a vehicle for developing important life skills. What began as a pilot program in 2019 has grown to encompass 19 countries worldwide, including Albania, Latvia, France, Spain, Portugal, UK, Gibraltar, Mongolia, Turkey, Morocco, Cyprus, India, Gambia, South Africa, Tanzania, Brazil, Taiwan, Malaysia, and New Zealand. Another six countries are expected to join this year: Jamaica, Botswana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Maldives, and Puerto Rico. Today, the project equips autistic individuals with essential life skills through free training and resources, promoting their acceptance and contribution to society. In March 2024, a three-day seminar at the Second International Congress of Chess, Education, and Health showcased studies on the project’s impact. The results confirmed that chess has helped children with autism improve their socio-emotional well-being and build a stronger foundation for life skills. In March 2024, a three-day seminar at the Second International Congress of Chess, Education, and Health showcased studies on the project’s impact. The results confirmed that chess has helped children with autism improve their socio-emotional well-being and build a stronger foundation for life skills. In the same month, the Spanish island of Menorca hosted the Second International Congress of Chess, Education, and Health as part of the FIDE100 Celebration program. The congress brought together experts in the fields of chess, education, and health. The three-day seminar showcased studies and experiences from different parts of the world about the role of chess in education and health, including the Infinite Chess project. The results showed that chess has helped children with autism improve their socio-emotional welfare and provided them with a stronger foundation for grasping important life skills. Reflecting on the past five years, WIM Anastasia Sorokina, the project leader, emphasizes the significant learning experience for both the chess community and health experts. “It has been an important learning curve for both the chess world and health experts. Through direct work with children who have autism, we gained a better understanding of how chess can be made more accessible. Chess is for all – we are all one family – and FIDE is steadfast in its commitment to providing everyone, regardless of their background or life circumstances, with an opportunity to learn and play chess as it does help make one’s life better,” she said. Running in sync with FIDE’s Social Commission and supported by the International Olympic Committee, the Infinite Chess project explores how chess can help children with autism develop through the 64-square game. Through specially designed courses and seminars, educators are taught how to present chess to children with autism and help them learn the game. The program, available online on the Infinite Chess website, as well as through courses and seminars published on YouTube, has been translated into five languages (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian) and is currently taught to more than 150 children between the ages of four and 17. You can watch a video on the Infinite Chess here.