FIDE announces 2024 World Corporate Chess Championship
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is pleased to announce the second World Corporate Chess Championship, bringing chess and business together in a series of online events that will conclude with an over-the-board final in New York in June FIDE is excited to present the 2024 World Corporate Chess Championship aimed at companies and corporations from across the world. Chess and business share similarities in strategic thinking, decision-making, competition, and the need for effective planning. Both involve navigating complex environments where individuals or companies must assess risks, seize opportunities, and formulate tactics to achieve their objectives. In both realms, success often hinges on the ability to analyze situations, make informed decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances. That is why bringing people from the world of business to chess makes sense! “Business and work are areas of life where chess vocabulary is often used to explain and illustrate things and where concepts from the 64-square game play a role in conceptualizing strategies and plans. With this in mind, we thought it would be a good idea to bring chess closer to the corporate world,” said Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of FIDE’s Management Board and former minister of economics and finance of Latvia. “In a year where we celebrate our 100th anniversary, this is also a good opportunity to foster new connections and open new opportunities for the promotion of chess,” Reizniece-Ozola added. The first World Corporate Chess Championship was held in 2021 and was completely online. This year’s edition will feature an over-the-board final, with top teams meeting in New York to decide the winner. Who can take part The event is open to teams representing legally recognized companies from all around the world. A participating company can register more than one team, with each team consisting of four members plus a team captain (who may or may not also be a player on the team). Every team has a right to have one invited player who is not directly employed at the company or a member of the board, while all other team members have to be working for/on the board of the company. In any round at any stage of the competition, each team must have at least one male and one female player playing. To ensure a level playing field, each team may only have one player whose FIDE standard rating exceeds 2400 (according to the January 2024 FIDE Rating list). The qualifying stages The FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship will consist of three stages: Online Qualifiers (played on Lichess.org) Online Knockout (played on Lichess.org) The Finals (played over-the-board at the grand finale in New York in June) The Online Qualifiers will be played in two different formats – Rapid (six rounds, played with a time limit of 10 minutes plus 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1) and Blitz (eight rounds, played at a time limit of 5 minutes plus 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1). The Online Qualifiers will be played as Team Swiss System tournaments. The team’s score shall be calculated as a sum of gamepoints. Each team will score 1 gamepoint for each game won, and ½ gamepoint for each game drawn, and 0 gamepoints for each game lost. The qualifier stages will take place on the following dates: Date Time Time control March 16 14:00 – 18:00 UTC Blitz March 17 14:00 – 18:00 UTC Rapid March 23 06:00 – 10:00 UTC Blitz March 24 22:00 – 02:00 UTC Rapid April 6 14:00 – 18:00 UTC Blitz April 7 06:00 – 10:00 UTC Rapid April 13 22:00 – 02:00 UTC Blitz April 14 14:00 – 18:00 UTC Rapid The top 8 teams in each qualifier’s final rankings will advance to the Online Knockout Stage. The knockouts will be organized on Saturday, April 20, between 14:00 and 18:00 UTC. The Finals will take place in New York on June 14-17. They will be played between eight winners of the Online Knockout Stage. The event will feature a group stage and a playoff stage. The prize Teams reaching the finals have their travel and accommodation expenses in New York covered. Additionally, they secure four seats each for an online simultaneous chess game against a participant of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024. Additional prizes will come. Also, the winner will get FIDE’s recognition as the smartest company in the world. Every participating team/corporate gets a digital diploma for participating. The official website of the event with the registration form will be launched on Monday, February 19. Regulations for World Corporate Chess Championship 2024
World Cadet U8, U10 and U12 Rapid & Blitz Championship: Registration is open
FIDE and the Albanian Chess Federation cordially invite all young players to participate in the World Cadet U8, U10 and U12 Rapid & Blitz Championship, which will be held in Durres, Albania from April 25-29. The playing hall is located in the official hotel of the Championship: Grand Blue FAFA Resort 5*. Registration is open until February 25, 2024, via the following link: worldcadetrb2024.fide.com/registration/ Schedule Full regulations for the Cadet World Championship and all the details are available on the official website: worldcadetrb2024.fide.com/
FIDE WSTCC 2024: Registration is open
FIDE, the Polish Chess Federation and the Malopolska Chess Association are happy to invite all the FIDE member federations and eligible teams to participate in the World Senior Team Chess Championships 2024 in Krakow, Poland. The dates are from July 1 (day of arrival) to July 12 (day of departure), 2024. The event will be held in two age categories: Open 50+ and Open 65+, with separate competitions for women. The player must have reached or reach the required age during the year of the competition. Separate Women’s Championship(s) will take place if there are at least ten teams from at least two continents. Otherwise, women’s teams will play in open competition. The Championships are open tournaments for teams registered by their federation. FIDE member federations can send as many teams as they wish. The deadline for the registration is May 10, 2024. The official website for the FIDE Senior Teams Championship will be launched by February 20, 2024. Official website: worldseniorteam2024.fide.com E-mail: worldseniorteam@fide.com World Senior Team Championship invitation letter and regulations (pdf) World Senior Team Championship registration form (pdf)
FIDE World Senior Team Championship 2024: Registration is open
In a seminal moment for the game, chess is set to be showcased among 23 sports at the 13th African Games, hosted by the Republic of Ghana from 8th to 23rd March 2024. The event will be held in the capital city of Accra, celebrating the spirit of unity and excellence across the African continent. “The inclusion of chess in this prestigious multi-sport event is a significant step in the international recognition of the game at big international sports competitions,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. Chess made its debut in the African Games in 2003, and it featured in all subsequent editions till 2015. The decision to include chess in the 13th edition was accepted by the Minister of Youth & Sports of the Republic of Ghana, reflecting the status of the game globally. “Upon my recent visit to Africa, I have seen great appetite for the game and interest from the public and the African government. To have chess included in one of the biggest sports events in Africa is wonderful. It reaffirms the place chess has as a sport in major sporting events and is a step closer to having chess present at the Olympic Games as the biggest global sports event,” said Grandmaster Nigel Short, FIDE’s Director for chess development. The 13th African Games will witness the participation of 24 countries in the chess tournament, with each country entitled to enter a team consisting of two chess players, comprising one man, one woman, and one captain. The formats will include the Mixed Team Rapid Championship, Men’s Rapid Championship, Women’s Rapid Championship, Mixed Team Blitz Championship, Men’s Blitz Championship, and Women’s Blitz Championship. The inclusion of chess in the African Games follows the success of reintroducing chess to the Asian Games, where competitions were held in individual and team tournaments in both the open and the women’s categories. The overarching goal of the 13th African Games is to foster positive rivalry among the youth of Africa, projecting a united Africa to the world. Beyond the sporting arena, the event aims to promote Africa’s rich art and culture, contributing to socio-economic development across the continent. Official sponsor: Riyadh Season Riyadh Season is an official partner of FIDE at the 13th African Games in Accra. Riyadh Season is one of the world’s largest annual winter entertainment festivals located in Saudi Arabia, it welcomes millions of visitors every year who get to experience a variety of exciting surprises, events, and music concerts. Additionally, it hosts international activities and events that draw in world-renowned stars in sports such as boxing, tennis, and football. The festivities capture the essence of Saudi heritage and hospitality and it showcases its present-day vibranism. For more information about Riyadh season, visit: riyadhseason.com
Chess to make an appearance at the 13th African Games in Accra
In a seminal moment for the game, chess is set to be showcased among 23 sports at the 13th African Games, hosted by the Republic of Ghana from 8th to 23rd March 2024. The event will be held in the capital city of Accra, celebrating the spirit of unity and excellence across the African continent. “The inclusion of chess in this prestigious multi-sport event is a significant step in the international recognition of the game at big international sports competitions,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. Chess made its debut in the African Games in 2003, and it featured in all subsequent editions till 2015. The decision to include chess in the 13th edition was accepted by the Minister of Youth & Sports of the Republic of Ghana, reflecting the status of the game globally. “Upon my recent visit to Africa, I have seen great appetite for the game and interest from the public and the African government. To have chess included in one of the biggest sports events in Africa is wonderful. It reaffirms the place chess has as a sport in major sporting events and is a step closer to having chess present at the Olympic Games as the biggest global sports event,” said Grandmaster Nigel Short, FIDE’s Director for chess development. The 13th African Games will witness the participation of 24 countries in the chess tournament, with each country entitled to enter a team consisting of two chess players, comprising one man, one woman, and one captain. The formats will include the Mixed Team Rapid Championship, Men’s Rapid Championship, Women’s Rapid Championship, Mixed Team Blitz Championship, Men’s Blitz Championship, and Women’s Blitz Championship. The inclusion of chess in the African Games follows the success of reintroducing chess to the Asian Games, where competitions were held in individual and team tournaments in both the open and the women’s categories. The overarching goal of the 13th African Games is to foster positive rivalry among the youth of Africa, projecting a united Africa to the world. Beyond the sporting arena, the event aims to promote Africa’s rich art and culture, contributing to socio-economic development across the continent. Official sponsor: Riyadh Season Riyadh Season is an official partner of FIDE at the 13th African Games in Accra. Riyadh Season is one of the world’s largest annual winter entertainment festivals located in Saudi Arabia, it welcomes millions of visitors every year who get to experience a variety of exciting surprises, events, and music concerts. Additionally, it hosts international activities and events that draw in world-renowned stars in sports such as boxing, tennis, and football. The festivities capture the essence of Saudi heritage and hospitality and it showcases its present-day vibranism. For more information about Riyadh season, visit: riyadhseason.com
International Congress on Chess, Education and Health: A New Look into the Future
Menorca is preparing to welcome leading international experts in the field of chess, education and health at the II International Congress of Chess, Education and Health, which will be held from March 22-24, 2024. The сongress is a part of the FIDE100 Celebrations program. This innovative congress, of great relevance worldwide, will provide a unique platform to explore new perspectives and paradigms at the intersection of chess, education and health. Integrating these three fields will generate an interdisciplinary dialogue that will promote the development of more holistic and effective approaches to address current and future challenges in education and health. One of the congress highlights will be the presentation of experiences and studies conducted and validated in different parts of the world, thus offering a global view of the possibilities and benefits that chess can bring to education and health. “This congress represents a unique opportunity to reflect on the role of chess as an educational and therapeutic tool, as well as to explore new ways of integrating this discipline into education and health systems,” said Pep Suárez, Director of the Congress. “We hope that this event will inspire and motivate participants to adopt innovative and evidence-based approaches to improve the quality of life of people around the world,” he added. The results and the evolution of the Infinite Chess project (chess for kids with autism spectrum disorder) will be presented at the congress. The program aimed to use chess as an educational and social tool that develops and puts into practice the skills of teaching chess to kids with ASD was launched in January 2021 in six countries. Currently, it is already running in 12 countries – Albania, Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Latvia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey – and involves 130 children with ASD. The II International Congress on Chess, Education and Health will take place at the Lazareto de Menorca, Maó. Over three days, the attendees will have an opportunity to participate in keynote lectures, round tables, practical workshops and networking activities featuring leading international experts and professionals. For more information about the congress and registration, visit the official website. Official website: congresodeajedrezmenorca.com/ Press contact: info@congresodeajedrezmenorca.com
Chess Torch Ceremony in India to mark FIDE’s 100th-anniversary celebration
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary since its founding, FIDE is set to launch the Chess Torch Relay, a global movement aimed at celebrating the rich history of the game and bringing together the entire chess community. As part of the FIDE 100 celebration, the torch relay will commence on February 14 in New Delhi, India, at the Major Dhyan National Stadium. The ceremony will include a tournament for children, a performance celebrating the rich history of India, and speeches. The pivotal moment of the ceremony will be the lighting of the torch, officiated by India’s Minister of Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur. The FIDE Chess Torch was first introduced at the Chess Olympiad in Chennai in 2022, symbolizing the enduring spirit of the game. The Torch will embark on a journey from India to Hungary’s capital, Budapest, where the 45th Chess Olympiad will take place in September this year. As the torch travels across the globe, it will pass through several continents, serving as a beacon of inspiration for chess enthusiasts everywhere. Along its path, a series of chess-dedicated events and celebrations will unfold, showcasing the game’s cultural significance and fostering a sense of community among people. From grandmaster tournaments, art exhibitions to community events, each stop on the torch’s journey will contribute to celebrating the global legacy of the game and FIDE, emphasizing the inclusive and unifying nature of the sport. “India is the cradle of chess, and it is fitting that this relay starts there – where it all began,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. “We are honored that this important first step is made in India, which represents not only the past of chess but also its future. I invite all chess enthusiasts to join us in celebrating the first century since FIDE was founded in the spirit of our motto – Gens Una Sumus – We Are One Family,” Dvorkovich added. Present at the ceremony will be India’s native Viswanathan Anand, five-time World Chess Champion & FIDE Deputy President, as well as Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar, the strongest woman chess player in history. The list of guests at the ceremony includes Ms Sujata Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Sports of India; Dr Sanjay Kapoor, AICF President; FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, and FIDE Deputy Chair of Management Board and Chairperson of FIDE100 Organizing Committee, Dana Reizniece-Ozola.
Georg Meier wins VII Marcel Duchamp Cup in Montevideo
From February 1-9, 2024, Montevideo hosted the seventh Marcel Duchamp Cup, organized by IA Sabrina de San Vicente. This tournament, established in the South American circuit, distributed $6000 in prizes and brought together the finest chess players from America in the Uruguayan capital. This competition would not have been possible without the initial support of Argentine entrepreneurs International Master Tomas Darcyl and Atty. Ricardo Costianovsky, who secured the main prize fund. Additinal support was provided by the ‘Asociacion Española Primera de Socorros Mutuos’ for visiting masters, and the Duchamp International Organization, which contributed prizes for the Women’s and Senior categories. This year, the tournament also carried the name “300 Years of Montevideo,” thanks to the support of the Departmental Board, which included the tournament as part of the city’s founding celebration framework. The tournament was also supported by FIDE as part of its 100th-anniversary celebration, commemorated in 2024. Thanks to the support provided by the Montevideo Municipality, once again, the competition took place in the Red and Golden Rooms of the Conference Center, which with their excellent facilities, spaciousness, well-lit, and air-conditioned rooms, provided the necessary comfort to all participants. The event brought together over 130 participants, including 31 titled players (6 GMs, 1 WGM, 5 IMs, and 2 WIMs), representing a total of 12 countries. Among the contenders were some strong favorites before the start: former champions GM Leonardo Tristan (3rd edition, 2019) and IM Pablo Ismael Acosta (4th edition, 2020), both from Argentina. They were joined by GMs Leandro Krysa, Pablo Salinas, and Carlos Garcia Palermo from Argentina, Chile, and Italy respectively, as well as the top-rated player, the current Continental Champion of the Americas GM Jorge Meier, from Uruguay, who made his debut in this tournament. The top seed, Georg Meier (pictured above), stormed out of the gates with six straight wins and took the lead, but he could not feel safe as one of his main rivals, Leonardo Tristan, was just a half-point behind. Two draws by Georg in Rounds 7 and 8 allowed Leonardo to catch up with the leader. Going to the final ninth round on 7/8, both had the white pieces. After Tristan made a quick draw with Pablo Salinas, Meier tested Pablo Ismael Acosta in an equal ending for a while but eventually had to settle for a draw. As a result, Meier and Tristan tied for first place with 7.5/9, but ‘Jorge’, as he Georg likes to be called since representing Uruguay, emerged as the winner thanks to a slightly better Buchholz. He became the became the first Uruguayan to win this event. The winner and the runner-up were the only unbeaten players in the competition. The podium was completed by GM Pablo Salinas from Chile with 7 points, as well as GM Carlos Garcia Palermo and IM Pablo Acosta, who finished fourth and fifth respectively. Final standings: 1 GM Meier, Georg URU 2616 7½ 2 GM Tristan, Leonardo ARG 2515 7½ 3 GM Salinas Herrera, Pablo CHI 2483 7 4 GM Garcia Palermo, Carlos ITA 2403 7 5 IM Acosta, Pablo Ismael ARG 2479 7 6 GM Krysa, Leandro ARG 2541 6½ 7 GM Hoffman, Alejandro URU 2361 6½ 8 IM Roselli Mailhe, Bernardo URU 2359 6½ 9 WGM Amura, Claudia ARG 2196 6½ 10 WIM Agrest, Inna SWE 2279 6½ In the Women’s category, the best-placed players were WGM Claudia Amura from Argentina and WIM Inna Agrest from Sweden, with 6.5 points each, finishing ninth and tenth respectively. They earned higher prizes according to the overall standings. Therefore, the prizes in the Women’s category went to WIM Milagros Brizzi and WFM Anahi Meza, both from Argentina, and the Uruguayan players WFM Andreina Quevedo and Nahiara Fabra. In the Senior +65 category, the best-placed player was GM Carlos Garcia Palermo, who finished fourth in the overall standings, so the three prize winners were IM Leon Piasetski from Canada, FM Alejandro Bauza from Uruguay, and Mario Sepliarsky from Argentina. In the Sub 2000 category, the top three players were Jairo Araque from Venezuela, Adriano Gaspar de Lima from Argentina, and Marcelo Lanzilotta from Uruguay. Mauricio Errazola came out on top in the Sub 1800 category, followed by Mauro de los Reyes, both from Uruguay. Nicolas Jasper from Argentina finished third. In the Sub 1600 category, the best-placed player was Emanuel Menezes, followed by Nahiara Fabra and Francisco Borgiani, all from Uruguay. The event was streamed at TacticaMenteAjedrez YouTube channel, and there were also live comments by FM Jose Riverol on his Twitch channel Nau64ajedrez, which were viewed by more than 60 thousand unique visitors. Additionally, the main boards could be followed live on the chess.com platform. This year, the first edition of the Marcel Duchamp Promotional Tournament was held exclusively for players with less than 1500 FIDE rating and not rated. This tournament was an excellent opportunity for those making their first steps in chess to compete on an equal footing with their peers. The first edidtion, held from February 4-9, attracted 38 players with a significant participation of youngsters seeking to establish themselves in national chess. Marcos Gonzalez Prestes, born in 2013, delivred a standout performance scoring scoring the maximum points 5/5. Additionally, he became the Sub 12 champion. The podium was completed by Luca Tessadri and Juan Borgiani, who netted 4 points and had better tiebreaks over participants with the same score. In the Sub 14 category, the best-placed player was Julius Werle. In the Sub 20 category, the Luca Tessadri lifted the trophy. Among those over 65, the first place was achieved by Diego Roselli, who was also the best unrated player. In the Women’s category, Milagros Costa was crowned champion. All participants enjoyed this true chess festival and received a tournament t-shirt as a gift. You can see all the results of the VII Open here.You can see all the results of the I Promotional here.Photos of the event can be viewed on the tournament’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Photos: Julian Zen, Gaston Fernandez, Edgardo Campora
Tickets for the 2024 Candidates: Early bird offer expires this week
The Early Bird offer on tickets for the FIDE Candidates Tournament and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament in Toronto will expire on February 15, 2024. The event will take place in Toronto from April 03-23, 2024 and will be open to the public through a ticketing system. The ticketing policy includes general admission tickets with access to the playing hall balcony and the fan zone and VIP passes, which also include the VIP room with drinks and snacks, a personalised experience and priority registration for side events. In addition, daily tickets and packages for all rounds of the tournament are available in all categories. Until midnight February 15, Toronto time, chess fans can purchase coveted Candidates tickets at the following special Early Bird pricing (in Canadian dollars): • General Admission, one day: CA$49 (Saturdays and Sundays CA$64) • All rounds General Admission package: CA$549 • VIP, one day: CA$169 (Saturdays and Sundays CA$199) • VIP Grand Package: CA$1999 Don’t miss out! Secure your seat for the best available price! Tickets can be purchased online via the official website: candidates.fide.com
2023 FIDE Online General Assembly: Minutes
FIDE publishes the Minutes of FIDE Online General Assembly Meeting which was held on December 17, 2023. FIDE General Assembly Minutes (pdf)