FIDE World Junior Blitz Championship: Muradli and Balabayeva clinch titles
Mahammad Muradli (Azerbaijan) and Xeniya Balabayeva (Kazakhstan) emerged as the winners of the FIDE World Junior Blitz Championship. In the open section, Muradli got off to a great start, winning six straight games, grabbed the lead and never looked back. Despite losing to Arseniy Nesterov in Round 9, the Azeri GM scored an impressive 9.5/11 and finished a full point ahead of the top-seed Raunak Sadhwani (winner of the rapid section). Arystan Isazhulov and Arseniy Nesterov tied for third place, with the former taking bronze thanks to better Buchholz. The girls’ tournament was a closer race, with Xeniya Balabayeva and Amina Kaiberkova both scoring 8.5/11 and tying for the first place. Xeniya had a slightly better Buchholz, which made all the difference as she claimed gold while Amina had to settle for silver. The winner of the rapid championship, Govhar Beydullayeva, netted 7.5/11 and added bronze to her collection of trophies. Final standings open Final standings girls During the closing ceremony, FIDE and the Organizing Committee, led by GM Mogranzini, extend their gratitude to the Sardinia Region and the Pula municipality for their invaluable support in making this championship a resounding success. The farewell to this unforgettable championship was celebrated in Pula’s main square in the presence of local authorities, the president of the Italian Chess Federation Luigi Maggi and the president of the regional chess federation, Danilo Mallo. All attending the closing ceremony enjoyed a live performance by an internationally renowned tenor, Alessandro Goldoni. Photos: NIKIEL.PHOTO Official website: juniorrapidandblitz2023.com/
World Cadet U8, U10, U12 Championships 2023 rescheduled
FIDE would like to officially confirm that the World Cadet U8, U10, U12 Championships 2023 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, was rescheduled. Round 1 will start with a one-day delay, on October 16, for technical reasons and to ensure the tournament organisation meets all FIDE standards and requirements. The organisers of the Championships express their sincere apologies to the participants of the event and their accompanying persons for the last-minute changes.
Mongolia and India win Intercontinental Championship for Prisoners
Teams of India and Mongolia became the champions of the third Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners, the event organized by FIDE and the Cook County (Chicago, IL, USA) Sheriff’s Office, after winning the final matches in youth and women’s sections of the biggest-ever chess event among correctional facilities. The team of Pune prison (India) clinched the title in the men’s tournament of the Intercontinental Online Championship for Prisoners 2023 after beating El Salvador in the final. The final matches in women’s and youth sections ran concurrently. In the women’s final, Mongolia beat England and took the title; England claimed silver medals. The women’s match for third place between El Salvador and the Philippines was not played due to technical reasons. Both teams shared third place. It is the third gold medal of the Intercontinental Championship for Prisoners under Mongolia’s belt. In 2021, the country won gold in the inaugural event open competition. A year later, Mongolia came out on top in the women’s section. Mongolia’s triumph is hardly a big surprise, as Mongolia has a long-standing tradition of teaching chess in prisons. Since 1956, chess tournaments have been running in all correctional units across the country. In the youth section, team India lifted the trophy after defeating the defending champions Serbia in the final. The bronze medal went to team Ecuador. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich congratulated the winners and finalists: “This has been an event filled with remarkable stories, incredible talent, and a shared commitment to the transformative power of chess and the resourcefulness of the human spirit. What is most important is that over the past three days, we have all taken part in something new and meaningful that gives a chance for change and improvement. You are all now part of the global chess family. And wherever you go or wherever your life may take you, remember FIDE’s motto, which in Latin reads “Gens Una Sumus” and means – “We are one family.” Players were also greeted by the Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, Dana Reizniece-Ozola: “I congratulate all of you who have succeeded in being the top teams in the 3rd Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners. I hope it brings you great satisfaction because I know you have been working very hard to achieve these results. All the officials who have been supporting you also get my warm thank you and appreciation. The competition in our tournament does increase together with the number of countries participating, and there will be more! Next year, we have the goal to engage 64 countries!” The third Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners aims to popularize chess as an efficient tool for reintegrating incarcerated people. This year, the event attracted 118 teams from 50 countries representing all continents, providing an opportunity for inmates to play with their peers across the globe.
Finals set at 3rd Online Chess Championship for Prisoners
After an intense second day of competition at the 3rd Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners, the finalists were determined across all three categories – Men’s, Women’s, and Youth. The top teams from each group advanced to the finals and will battle it out for the gold tomorrow, while the runners-up will compete for bronze. Mongolia continued its impressive run in the competition, with two of the country’s teams reaching the finals. Serbia youth and Mongolia women’s teams have a chance to repeat their last year’s success and win gold, while in the men’s competition, we will have new champions. Gold Medal Matches: Men: Mongolia 1 vs El Salvador 2Women: Mongolia vs EnglandYouth: India 2 vs Serbia 3rd Place Matches: Men: India 1 vs El Salvador 1Women: Philippines vs El Salvador 1Youth: India 1 vs Ecuador Stay tuned tomorrow for the exciting finals! Tournament regulations More info about the program can be found here: chessforfreedom.fide.com
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.