Chess Beyond the Board: Exciting side events at 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad
The 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest promises to be not only a thrilling global chess tournament (and the biggest since its inception) but there will also be a diverse array of side events engaging participants and spectators alike. These events, ranging from conferences and exhibitions to artistic performances, highlight the cultural and social impact of chess. Here are the key side events scheduled during the Olympiad: FIDE100 Exhibition Date & Time: September 10-23, 2024 Location: BOK Sports and Conference Centre, Expo Area Description: The FIDE100 exhibition celebrates the centennial of FIDE, showcasing the rich history of chess and its governing body. Visitors can explore a diverse collection of exhibits highlighting the evolution of chess over the last 100 years. CAPTURE – The Photo Exhibition Date & Time: September 17-23, 2024 Location: TBD Description: CAPTURE is a photographic art installation that celebrates the beauty of chess through a luminous photo exhibition. The project invites viewers to explore the colorful world hidden behind the 64 black and white squares. Link: CAPTURE Exhibition QUEEN TRAP – Music Short Film Date & Time: September 17, 2024 Location: Hungarian Fine Arts Museum Description:“Queen Trap” is an unreleased chess-themed music short film by artist Juga, promoting female empowerment in chess. The project features top women chess players from around the world and is co-produced with the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess. We are already counting on the participation of Judit Polgar, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Elizabeth Paehtz, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Tania Sachdev, and many more! Link: Queen Trap Film Judit Polgar’s 10th Global Chess Festival Date & Time: September 17-18, 2024 Location: Hungarian National Gallery and Intercontinental Budapest Description: Celebrating its 10th edition, Judit Polgar’s Global Chess Festival will feature games, workshops, demonstrations, and tournaments. The event also includes the 4th EDU Chess Summit, where speakers discuss the role of chess in education. Link: Global Chess Festival The FIDE 100 Awards Ceremony Date & Time: September 19, 2024 Location: TBD Description: In celebration of FIDE’s centenary, the FIDE 100 Awards Ceremony will honor individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the world of chess. The awards recognize excellence in various fields, including playing, organizing, and promoting chess. Link: FIDE 100 Awards Conferences and Seminars FIDE EDU “Preparation of Teachers” course Date & Time:September 15-16 & 20-21, 2024 Location:September 15-16 -Pasha Cafe (Váralja utca 14), September 20-21 – BOK stadium Description:This exceptional 4-day seminar is an ideal opportunity for teachers, chess educators, beginner and advanced players with basic chess knowledge, and anyone with experience working with children. Engage in hands-on activities designed to integrate chess into academic settings while fostering essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.Expert Lecturers: Rita Atkins, WIM, Secretary of the FIDE Chess in Education Commission (Hungary) and Anzel Laubscher, WIM, FIDE Instructor, and FIDE EDU Commission Member (South Africa). For registration, please send an email to edu.courses@fide.com until September 10, 2024 Link: edu.fide.com/commissionNews/66c079144c003ef7ddac74aa #SOCIALCHESS Conference Date & Time: September 21, 2024, 09:00–13:00 Location: InterContinental Hotel Budapest and Online Description: Organized by the FIDE Social Commission, the #SOCIALCHESS Conference will discuss the societal benefits of chess. Attendees will learn about FIDE’s social initiatives, such as Chess for Protection, Chess for Freedom, Infinite Chess, Chess for Elderly, and Chess for Life. The event will feature speakers including Dana Reizniece-Ozola, André Vögtlin, and other project leaders. Link: SOCIALCHESS Conference FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar Date & Time: September 12-17, 2024, 09:00 – 12:30 Location: BOK Sports and Conference Centre Description: The FIDE Arbiters’ Commission will conduct this seminar, offering training and certification for arbiters. The seminar covers essential regulations and best practices and will be conducted in English. The Seminar will give norms and titles of FIDE Arbiter, according to the Regulations for the titles of Arbiters. Entry fee: 130 EUR Contact: IA/IO Nebojsa Baralic, ARB Secretary (secretary.arbiters@fide.com, +381 64 3232910 Link: FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar FIDE Fair Play Seminar Date & Time: September 15-18, 2024, 08:30 – 12:00 Location: TBD Description: Organized by the FIDE Fair Play Commission, this seminar will focus on anti-cheating regulations and fair play practices in chess. Participants will receive certification upon successful completion. Scope of the seminar Fair Play Legal Framework Anti-Cheating Regulations Statistical evidence Technical devices and their usage Fair Play Theory and Practice at OTB Events Seminar fee: 200 EUR Exam fee: 50 EUR Link: FIDE Fair Play Seminar 8th International Certification Seminar Date & Time: September 15-18, 2024, 08.30-12.30Location: BOK Sports and Conference Centre, Playing hallDescription: The International Arbiter Certification Seminar is a training session for active FIDE Arbiters. The goal of this second level of arbiter training is to ensure that candidates applying for the IA title are ready, in terms of technical skills and practical experience.The session is concluded by a readiness evaluation. Participants who are declared ready through the evaluation are granted an International Arbiter Norm from the seminar. The following topics will be covered in IA Certification Seminar:• Revision of all the necessary regulations of Arbiters, Rules, Qualification, Pairings, Fair Play and Technical Commissions• Ability to use chess clocks efficiently• Ability to use an approved version of pairing software efficiently• Ability to run a chess event• Ability to communicate in English in a chess event Entry fee: 130 EURContact: IA/IO Nebojsa Baralic, ARB Secretary (secretary.arbiters@fide.com, +381 64 3232910)Link: arbiters.fide.com/news/9396 Women&Chess&Balance Conference Date & Time: September 21, 2024, 15:00–19:00 Location: InterContinental Hotel Budapest and Online Description: This conference, organized by the Commission for Women’s Chess, will explore topics such as management, social media, and branding in chess, with a focus on empowering women in the chess community. Link: Women&Chess&Balance Conference Join us in Budapest for these enriching side events that promise to add a new dimension to the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad. For more details and registration information, please visit the official Olympiad website.
Karthik Venkataraman wins 61st India Championship
GM Karthik Venkataraman of Andhra Pradesh emerged as the winner of the 61st India Chess Championship thanks to a crucial final-round victory over Guha Mitrabh. Organized by the Haryana Chess Association at RPS International School, Gurgaon, the 11-round Swiss tournament boasting a prize fund of thirty lakhs rupees (approximately USD 35,000) brought together 341 players from all across India. In addition to winning the title, Karthik lifted a glittering trophy and a cash prize of six lakhs rupees (approximately USD 7,150). The top seed Ganguly, leading throughout the tournament, tied for the first place but had to settle for silver (only 0.5 Buchholz points separated him from the champion) after making four straight draws at the finish. IM Neelash Saha, with nine points, the same as Karthik and Ganguly placed third due to inferior tiebreaks. As many as six players, including the second seed Abhijeet Gupta, scored 8.5/11 and tied for fourth place. Dharmendra Kumar IA, treasurer, All India Chess Federation was the chief guest and awarded the prizes in the presence of Saurabh Jindal, President of Haryana Chess Association, Vishnu Bhagwan Kashyap, Secretary, HCA, Raj Chauhan from the film industry, Naresh Sharma, former treasurer of AICF, Raj Pal Chauhan Secretary, District Chess Association, Gurgaon, Dr. Pooja Sharma Principal, RPS School, and Sushma Chauhan, joint secretary Gurgaon DCA. Final standings: 1 GM Karthik, Venkataraman 2568 9 2 GM Ganguly, Surya Shekhar 2583 9 3 IM Neelash, Saha 2470 9 4 GM Ghosh, Diptayan 2568 8½ 5 IM Aronyak, Ghosh 2535 8½ 6 IM Gusain, Himal 2511 8½ 7 GM Lalit, Babu M R 2494 8½ 8 GM Gupta, Abhijeet 2583 8½ 9 IM Shyaam, Nikhil P 2442 8½ 10 GM Sethuraman, S.P. 2571 8 Complete final standings Photos: All India Chess Federation Official website: aicf.in/
Olympiad Expo Classic tournament announced
The 45th Chess Olympiad is around the corner, and FIDE, in collaboration with the Hungarian Chess Federation, is pleased to announce the Olympiad Expo Classic, an International Open Chess Tournament that will take place alongside the Olympiad from September 12 to 21, 2024, in Budapest, Hungary. Event Details: Date: 12 – 21 September 2024 Venue: BOK “C” Sports Hall, 1146 Budapest, Dózsa György utca 1 Tournament Type: Swiss system, 9 rounds, standard FIDE rules, computer pairings (Swiss Manager) Time Control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move per player Tie-Breaks: Buchholz Cut 1, Buchholz, Berger-Sonneborn, Progressive Schedule: Opening Ceremony: September 12, 2024, at 9:45 AM Rounds: 10:00 AM daily from September 12 to 21, 2024 (except September 17, which is a rest day) Closing Ceremony: September 21, 2024, at 3:30 PM Chief Arbiter: Zsolt Korpics, International Arbiter Registration Details: Fee: Above 2000 ELO: 12,000 HUF (30 EUR) Under 2000 ELO: 16,000 HUF (40 EUR) GM (WGM), IM (WIM) titleholders: Free Deadline: September 8, 2024. Registration on the day available for a surcharge of 3,000 HUF (8 EUR). Registration Form: Click Here Contact: For more information, email tournaments@chess.hu. Prizes: 1st Place: 375 EUR + cup + medal 2nd Place: 300 EUR + medal 3rd Place: 250 EUR + medal 4th Place: 175 EUR 5th Place: 125 EUR Special Prizes: Best Senior, Woman, U2000: 100 EUR each The tournament will take place alongside the prestigious Chess Olympiad, offering participants a unique opportunity to compete in the same venue as the world’s top players. Please note that FIDE regulations regarding electronic devices will be strictly enforced. Players are reminded that any electronic communication devices, including smartwatches, are prohibited in the tournament hall. Join us in Budapest for this exciting event, where top players from around the world will compete in a thrilling and competitive atmosphere. FIDE and the Hungarian Chess Federation look forward to welcoming you to the Olympiad Expo Classic! Olympiad Expo Classic regulations (PDF)
Updated list of Member Federations having right to vote at GA 2024 published
According to the FIDE Electoral Regulations, FIDE is publishing the updated list of Member Federations having right to vote at the General Assembly 2024 together the list of suspended Member Federations. Member Federations having right to vote at the General Assembly 2024 (PDF)
Travel information for World Senior Championships 2024 in Porto Santo, Portugal
The FIDE World Senior Chess Championships 2024 will take place in Porto Santo, Portugal, from November 16 (arrival) to November 29 (departure) 2024. Participants in all categories will share the total amount of 42,500 Euros. The registration deadline is September 16, 2024. The Portuguese Chess Federation constantly updates useful information on how to get to Porto Santo. There are several options for reaching the island: by air or ferry. Find out more about a charter flight from Lisbon to Porto Santo on November 16, returning on November 29. More information is available on the dedicated webpage:worldsenior.fpx.pt/how-to-get-to-porto-santo/ E-mail: worldsenior@fide.com Helpline via WhatsApp: +351937245507 (in English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages to assist you with information, Visas and travel arrangements) Regulations and invitation letter (PDF)
Women and Records in the spotlight at 45th Chess Olympiad
Budapest is set to host the 45th Chess Olympiad from 10 to 23 September at the BOK Csarnok events venue. This year’s Olympiad marks a new era, with several significant milestones: it will feature the highest number of participating teams in history, including a record number of women’s teams. Notably, Hungary will be represented by three women’s teams at this premier global chess event. As one of the world’s largest sporting events, the Olympiad will see 196 teams competing in the Open Section and 184 teams in the Women’s Section. “I’m delighted with the record number of teams, particularly the remarkable growth in women’s participation. This is the closest the ratio of men’s to women’s teams has ever been in the history of the Chess Olympiads,” said Dr. Zoltán Polyánszky, President of the Hungarian Chess Federation. “This progress is inspiring for women’s chess, but it also draws on deep traditions. In the 1970s and 80s, the renowned teams featuring Mária Ivánka and Zsuzsa Verőci earned four silver and two bronze medals in the FIDE Chess Olympiads, followed by the Polgár sisters and Ildikó Mádl winning two golds. Later, Zsuzsa Polgár became the Women’s World Champion, and Judit achieved groundbreaking results in men’s chess, setting an example for future generations. At this year’s Olympiad, I’m proud to highlight that of the 10 competitors on our women’s A and B teams, five are competing as mothers. Balancing these two roles requires extraordinary effort and exceptional organizational skills, and we are proud of them and especially grateful for their dedication.” The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has initiated programs to ensure women have equal opportunities to participate in chess. The FIDE Women’s Commission launched a special project, the National Female Team Imitative, to enable more countries to send women’s teams to the Chess Olympiad. Each of these teams represents a significant step toward gender equality in chess. Over the past year, the program has supported the preparation of women’s teams from nine countries: Liechtenstein, Guernsey, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, the US Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Nauru, and the Cayman Islands. The debuting teams received financial support, expert coaching, and substantial mental and material support for their training sessions in July and August. “Taking our first-ever female team to the Olympiad is a milestone that highlights the progress we’ve made in increasing the number of women playing chess in St. Lucia. This achievement will undoubtedly inspire more females to take up the game. Our team members were selected from our Schools Chess Championships and the Queens Gambit Challenge Initiative. I’m proud to say that the majority of our preparation was supported by the training provided through the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess National Female Team Initiative,” said TrisAnn Richards, President of the Saint Lucia Chess Federation. Additionally, the FIDE Women’s Chess Commission introduced a pilot project called ChessMom earlier this year. This initiative provides support to female players with children under one year of age. In the past, many women were unable to participate in the Olympiad due to the challenges of being away from their children or finding childcare during competitions. The Commission addressed this by recognizing each child and caregiver as official members of their national delegation, ensuring they receive lodging, meals, and all the other benefits provided to delegation members. Participants in this project include Alina Kashlinskaya (Poland), Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia), Yuliia Osmak (Ukraine), Aster Melake Bantiwalu (Ethiopia), Rauha Shipindo (Namibia), and Nolwazi Nkwanyane (Eswatini). FIDE aims to establish this support system for chess-playing mothers as a standard feature, expanding the pilot project into a full program for future competitions. Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, emphasized FIDE’s commitment to promoting women’s chess: “FIDE is deeply committed to empowering women in chess by creating opportunities and providing the necessary support to help them excel. Whether through initiatives like the ChessMom program or supporting the participation of new teams at the Olympiad, our goal is to ensure that women in chess have the same opportunities to succeed as their male counterparts.” Adding to the celebration of women in chess, Chilean singer and performance artist Juga will launch a unique art project in Budapest. Known for her chess-inspired work, Juga is filming a new video in Budapest to honor women in chess worldwide. The short film will showcase the top female chess players from 160 countries, as well as women who contribute to chess as teachers, streamers, photographers, referees, and officials. Filming will take place on September 17, a rest day for the Olympiad, at the iconic Hungarian Fine Arts Museum in Budapest. The video will feature her song ‘Queen Trap’ and Juga has promised that she will represent female chess players in a way that has never been done before. Juga is hoping to work with all of the Olympiad’s female competitors where a number of international stars have already signalled their participation, including Judit Polgár, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Elizabeth Paehtz, Bibisara Assaubayeva, and Tania Sachdev. As part of this year’s Chess Olympiad, the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess hosts “Women&Chess&Balance” conference on 21 September 2024. More information can be found here: https://wom.fide.com/womconference/. “I am extremely excited that FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess implemented so many incredible projects. FIDE will continue thriving in this meaningful direction! Taking the opportunity I would like to invite you all to the Conference to attend the conference,” said Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess. About the FIDE Chess Olympiad The 45th Chess Olympiad is being organized by the Nemzeti Rendezvényszervező Ügynökség Nonprofit Zrt (Hungarian National Events Organizing Agency) in collaboration with the Hungarian Chess Federation and FIDE. The event will run from September 10 to 23, featuring a variety of free chess activities and programming at the BOK Csarnok venue. The tournament will be broadcast live with expert commentary. Organizers will also host numerous additional programs and side events, including the exhibition dedicated to the 100-year anniversary of FIDE. Children new to chess can learn the basics in a
French Championship 2024: Moussard and Daulyte-Cornette win titles
Jules Moussard and Deimanté Daulyte-Cornette are the new chess champions of France. Just like a year ago, the French Chess Championship 2024, 16-player knockout tournaments held in open and women’s sections, took place from August 16-25 in Alpe d’Huez, France. In case of a tie after two classical games, a 2-game Rapid (15+10) was played, followed by a 2-game Blitz (5+3) and an Armageddon (5 vs 4) if needed. The competition brought together the best French players except for Alireza Firouzja and Maxime Vachierv-Lagrave, battling in the 2024 Sinquefield Cup. On his way to the final, Jules Moussard beat Marie Sebag (the only female player who played in the open section) in the round of 16, then prevailed over Sebastien Maze on the blitz tiebreaker in the quarterfinals and finally defeated Romain Edouard in the rapid games. Laurent Fressinet’s path to the final was even more challenging, as he had to play two Armageddon games in the round of 16 and the quarterfinals (battling past Matthieu Cornette and Peio Duboue) and defeating Pierre-Laurent Paoli in the semis. As expected, the final was a very tightly contested match. The opponents traded victories in classical and rapid games, but Jules Moussard won both blitz games to clinch his second national title. Romain Édouard defeated Pierre Laurent-Paoli in the small final and took bronze. The women’s final featuring Deimanté Daulyte-Cornette and Pauline Guichard was also a close affair that came down to blitz. After drawing the first game, Deimanté Daulyte-Cornette emerged victorious in the second one and secured her maiden national title. Sophie Milliet completed the podium after besting Mitra Hejazipour in the match for third place. Photo: official website Official website: alpedhuez2024.ffechecs.org/
FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2024: Making history on Wall Street
New York City will become the epicenter of the chess world as the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships make their North American debut from December 26-31, 2024. The iconic Wall Street backdrop will set the stage for a thrilling competition as the world’s top chess players converge in the heart of global finance. Fast chess formats, including Rapid and Blitz, are among the most exciting in the sport, demanding quick decisions, sharp instincts, and nerves of steel. These fast-paced games are not only a test of skill but also of mental endurance, making them a favorite among players and spectators. Adding to the excitement, another addition to this year’s event is a free day between the Rapid and Blitz Championships, which will be dedicated to Chess Davos – an exclusive conference exploring the intersection of chess and finance. “This is going to be a unique event in so many ways. Top chess grandmasters will gather at the financial heart of the world, and what fascinates me is the enormous concentration of the sharpest minds and the synergies that will be born,” said Emil Sutovsky, FIDE CEO. “I’m very much looking forward to an event that has everything it takes to become a landmark, ‘I-was-there’ kind of gathering.” A Monumental First in the Heart of the United States Wall Street, synonymous with power and intensity, provides the perfect backdrop for this high-stakes event. The 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships promise to be the most spectacular yet, as chess converges with the beating heart of global finance. This historic occasion marks the first time the event is held in North America, bringing the excitement and prestige of chess to new heights in the United States. The championship is a widely broadcast and watched event, and all eyes will surely be on Wall Street this December. “This year’s FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships represent a historic milestone for chess, bringing the event to North America for the first time and returning to New York, a city with a rich chess tradition,” said Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President. “This year, as we celebrate FIDE’s centenary, it’s fitting to reflect on the legendary New York International Chess Tournament held exactly a century ago, marking a glorious era for chess in the United States. Now, as chess enjoys a new golden age in the U.S., we are excited to bridge this glorious past with a prosperous present.” A New Schedule This year, FIDE has introduced a new schedule designed to enhance the experience for players and spectators. The event kicks off with the Rapid Championship from December 26 to 28, followed by a day off on December 29. The competition will resume on December 30 and 31 with the Blitz Championship. Get ready to be part of the electrifying atmosphere! Tickets for both general admission and VIP packages will be available to the public soon. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. Join us in New York for an unforgettable celebration of chess on Wall Street. With an iconic venue, an exciting new schedule, and massive global interest, the 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships are set to become a landmark event in the history of chess. Contact email for participants: worldrapidandblitz@fide.com
FIDE Solving Championships: Free online lessons for anyone
WFCC Honorary President Harry Fougiaxis and Anirudh Daga during the closing ceremony of the Fujairah World Congress of Chess Composition 2022Photo: Fujairah Chess & Culture Club The inaugural FIDE World Solving Championships for Youth (Florianópolis, November 4) and Cadets (Montesilvano, November 21) will take place this autumn. For the first time, the FIDE solving events will be organized in cooperation with the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC) as a part of the FIDE & WFCC Special Projects 2024, celebrating FIDE Centenary. The WFCC-guided solving events can be followed on the Chess-Results server, in the Federation Selection list under the abbreviation WFC. The basic information includes Regulations for championships U14, U16 & U8 in Brazil, and for championships U8, U10 & U12 in Italy, both with instructions about writing solutions and illustrative examples. There are also Registration forms for Florianópolis and for Montesilvano. Another important and unique novelty in the FIDE & WFCC cooperation, the first installment in a series of free online solving lessons organized by a young Indian player, composer and solver Anirudh Daga (16), in cooperation with the WFCC president Marjan Kovačević will be launched in two weeks, on September 7. Although primarily aimed to prepare young participants for solving in Brazil and Italy, the online sessions will be open for everybody around the world. Fill out the Registration form to show your interest, by clicking on the given link or scanning the QR code below, using a phone! The initial goal is to explain the big structural differences between common chess puzzles that dominate the Internet and real chess compositions, with their own principles, theories, themes, schools, and styles that have developed throughout chess history. Naturally, priority will be given to practical aspects of solving. The first topic will be the general approach to the competition, including the way of writing solutions. The next sessions will touch on special aspects of composing genres featured in the FIDE Youth Championships 2024: Mate in 2, Mate in 3, Mate in 4 and Endgame Studies. The sessions will be in English and open to all questions each Saturday from 1 PM GMT from September 7 to October 5. How difficult can the problems for cadets and juniors be? A week ago, Prague hosted the European Youth Chess Solving Championships in the age categories U10, U14, and U18, and only two out of 206 solvers managed to score a maximum of 40 points. Let’s take a look at the endgame from U14 category competition: Viktor A. Nikolaev White to play and win At first glance, the position doesn’t promise any headache. It looks like white just has to stop the passed pawns, while g-pawn will secure them an easy victory. Many solvers started correctly and, after White’s smart fourth move, believed the mission was accomplished. In fact, the real fight just started at this point … We have got used to thinking for the white side, but looking for an inspired counterplay by an opponent is often a real challenge. Polish junior Wladyslaw Pycinski was perceptive enough to keep analyzing in-depth, and it brought him the golden medal ahead of the participants who rushed to hand in their solving sheets earlier in order to gain the advantage of the shorter time that is used as the main tiebreak. In the photo from Prague, you can see a young solver at the beginning of the long journey to solve this endgame study, looking for White’s correct second move. Photo: EYCC / Anezka Kruzikova Get registered and prepared for the upcoming solving adventures in Brazil and Italy; there will be no opponents except for hard-to-find moves! Solution: Viktor A. Nikolaev, 2. Prize USSR Sports Committee, 1955 1. Nf3 d3 2. Bh6 Kd4+ 3.Nxd4 e1=Q 4.Bd2+ Ka6 5. Bxe1 d2 6. Nc2 d1=Q 7.Nb4+ Ka5 8.Nd3+ Ka4 9. Nb2 Written by Marjan Kovačević, WFCC president Official website: WFCC – World Federation for Chess Composition
Farewell from Tbilisi: Closing ceremony of Women’s Grand Prix 2024/2025 fist leg
The inaugural leg of the 2024/2025 Women’s Grand Prix concluded in Tbilisi with a closing ceremony that honored the winner, celebrated the participants, and highlighted the significance of women’s chess in Georgia. The ceremony took place in the ballroom of the prestigious Biltmore Hotel, located in the heart of Tbilisi. Just hours earlier, this same venue witnessed the final moves that determined the fate of the world’s top female chess players. Akaki Iashvili, president of the Georgian Chess Association, praised the players for their extraordinary performances, stating, “These 11 days were emotionally intense, but I believe our esteemed guests have enjoyed Georgian hospitality. The GCF and FIDE have worked hard to provide the best conditions for players to showcase their talents in the tournament.” He also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Sports and Culture of Georgia and the Tbilisi municipality for their unwavering support of chess, a sport deeply respected in Georgian culture. One of the most famous Georgian and world chess players, the legendary Nona Gaprindashvili, congratulated the players on their games and praised Tbilisi for hosting such a prestigious event. “It was a pleasure to have such a high-level tournament in Tbilisi, and I am happy that more chess projects are on the way, offering great experiences for both players and spectators. I visited almost every day to watch the games. Some players won, some lost—that’s sport. I wish the chess players who didn’t achieve great results better success in the future,” said Gaprindashvili. FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky echoed these sentiments, noting that “the past 11 days flew by quickly, as the games were enjoyable.” “FIDE has about 200 federations, and we host our events in 50 countries, but there are only a handful of federations where we can be confident the events will be of a very high standard, and the Georgian Chess Association is one of them. This event surpassed even our very high expectations,” said Sutovsky, who concluded his speech with a toast to Georgia and its people. The highlight of the ceremony was when the top three players—Alina Kashlinskaya, Bibisara Assaubayeva, and Stavroula Tsolakidou—were invited to the stage to receive their awards: a trophy and a medal. The winner, Alina Kashlinskaya, was greeted with the loudest applause. “This is my biggest achievement so far. I want to thank FIDE for the opportunity to play here. I want to thank my biggest strengths—my son and my mum,” said Kashlinskaya. The evening was filled with music, celebration, and a sense of accomplishment. Notable public figures, state officials, and chess players were among the attendees who enjoyed a performance by the famous Georgian group ‘Quartet Four’ and a vibrant dance group performing traditional Georgian dance. The ceremony, as well as the entire tournament, underscored Georgia’s unique role in the global chess community as an excellent host and organizer. The next major chess event the country will host is the 2025 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in Batumi next July. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Anna Shtourman Official FIDE WGP website: womengrandprix.fide.com/