The event is organized by A.S.D. Circolo Scacchi R. Fischer Chieti and tournament director is Andrea Rebeggiani, with IA Giuseppe Buonocore as chief arbiter. The tournament in Italy is one of the few events in September with stronger participation, as most top Grandmasters will be participating in the Chess Olympiad 2024. The other high ELO ongoing event this month will be TCEC Swiss 7

Chess Olympiad Budapest 2024: Chess Olympiad 2024 live games / Participants open / Participants women

Grand Hotel Adriatico Chess Festival 2024

The total prize fund of the Championship is 10.000 EUR. The Winners of the event will become European Senior Chess Champions 2023 of the respective category. According to FIDE Handbook D.03.7, the top 3 players from each category of the European Senior Championship 2023 are qualified with personal rights (free board and lodging) to the World Senior Championship 2024. Any change of regulations is a FIDE matter.

European Senior Chess 2023 participants

Starting rank list – FIDE World Senior Chess Championship 2022 (50+ category):

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Starting rank list – FIDE World Senior Chess Championship 2022 (65+ category):

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50+ section:

After five rounds, two rating-favourites of the tournament, England 1 and USA, were tied for the top position winning four matches each and drawing their direct encounter in Round 4. Italy and Iceland were close behind, scoring four team victories each but losing to the leaders (the USA and England, respectively).

England 1, headed by Michael Adams and Nigel Short, won all four matches in the second half of the event and deservedly clinched the title. To illustrate England’s dominance, it suffices to say that Adams, Short, Hebden and Arkell each won the gold medal for the best performance on individual boards.

The USA stayed in the race for gold for the most part (the team had to close a 2-point gap of game points), but it all came to an end in Round 8 after a draw with Hungary. Still, the USA comfortably secured silver. Team Italy 1 lost to England 1 in Round 6 but then scored three straight victories and came out third. (scroll down for final rankings)

65+ section

England 1, lead by John Nunn, eased through the field in the 65+ tournament and clinched the title with a round to spare. Its main rival team Germany could not keep pace with the leader and finished second. 

After a poor start, the rating favourite, Israel 1, bounced back and wrested bronze from Germany 2 and France after beating the champions in the final round. (scroll down for final rankings)

Final rankings 50+ section:

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Final rankings 65+ section:

The tournament is organized by the Fano Chess Club 1988 and Dario Pedini. The club celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2018. Awarded with Bronze Star by CONI. The organizing team has been holding the Italian Rapid Championships for the six years (2011-2016).

Top players are Grandmasters rated over 2600 that had won past editions (!), meaning Yuri Solodovnichenko (UKR), Peter Prohaszka (HUN), Tamas Banusz (HUN), Sergey Fedorchuk (UKR), Alexandr Fier (BRA), WGM Nino Maisuradze (FRA).

The first editions, 2012 and 2013, were a complete success with 145 players in the field and overall victory by GM Yuri Solodovnichenko, both in 2013 as in 2012. In 2014 the tournament grew to 170 players. The event was won by GM Prohaszka (Hungary 2614) and the podium was completed by Andry Vovk (UKR 2630) and Daniel Sadzikowski (POL). In 2015 again GM Prohaszka finished first, 2nd place was for IM Sadzikowski who earned a GM norm and 3rd place was for young Italian star GM Francesco Rambaldi. In 2016 edition “the gold medal” was won by GM Alexander Fier (Brazil 2628) and in 2017 was the Ukranian GM Fedorchuk.

In the middle of the summer, chess aficionados will have an opportunity to enjoy sea, delicious Italian food and serious chess in the company of a number of invited GMs and IMs. The Open section is composed of five parts:

A group (> 1900), B group (<2000), C group (< 1600), U-16 and a final rapid tournament. Open A and Open B will be held over 9 rounds with the Swiss pairing system; 8 rounds for Open C and U16 categories. Time control: 90′ x 40 + 15′ + 30” from beginning. Top prize in the Open A is 700 EUR. The total prize fund is 7.000 EUR. Every player will receive a gift.

The playing venue is Palazzo Michele, an awesome historical roman place restyled inside in a new way, with air condition. Partner Hotel *** Continental, Angela, Sassonia, Tag, starting from 62 € in FB.

Partner Restaurant: La Perla

The tournament falls during a festive summer season with a rich cultural program including exhibitions, the Fano Jazz Festival and other concerts and party during the week end and also in the others days.

Contact
Organizer:DarioPedini
Web: www.italychess.com
Email:dariopedini@yahoo.it
Mobile: +39-335-224916

Zhansaya Abdulmalik: Thank you! I’m very glad that I finally managed to win this Championship! Honestly, I thought that I would be happier with my victory, because I was preparing for this for a long time. And when I won the last game, I said to myself “okay, you did a great job, now you can relax” and nothing more.

JK: I recall back to previous editions of this tournament that you played in where you have came 2nd and 3rd. Would you say this tournament was stronger than previous ones you played in or were the previous ones stronger?

ZA: This tournament was much stronger than the previous one, because many strong chess players took part in it. I was the top seed in the tournament, and every game I had to prove that I was the strongest. But in some way it was easier, because we had two days off and played only 11 rounds.

Zhansaya Abdumalik (photo Romualdo Vitale)

JK: Having the 2 free days has been a small topic amongst some people regarding the length of the tournament. Do you think there should be one free day cut out or just leave it the way it is?

ZA: I think it is good having the 2 free days. The first free day I spent relaxing in the hotel and the second free day I went with Sarasadat Khademalsharieh to the mountains and this was so perfect. So I am quite happy that I had 2 free days.

JK: Having won the World Girls Junior Championship, would this be your biggest achievement to date or is there something better?

ZA: I think this has been my first major achievement. I am just so happy as this is my last World Girls Junior Championship and I am not going to play next years’ edition, even though I have 3 more years left. So this is my last and I am happy that I won it. Even if I was to get silver or bronze, I still wouldn’t play the tournament the next years. There is an option that I may play in the Open section next year but this will depend on a few things.

JK: Now as the Girls Junior Champion, is there a temptation to play in the Open section for the stronger opposition?

ZA: Yes, because they are stronger and it would be really interesting for me to play against them. Of course I want to gain more rating and the chance to get a GM norm. Also, I want the chance to win the Gold medal in the Open section too.

Zhansaya and Jamie – picture taken by Daniyar Ashirov

JK: You recently played in the Asian Indoor Games where you had great success there. Do you think your good form from there flowed on to this tournament?

ZA: I have been in good form and I recently had some training sessions with my coach. My coach is Zahar Efimenko from Ukraine. He has being the credit to my recent success, especially regarding my openings. I have been working with him for 1.5 years now and I am really happy that I have him as my coach.

JK: You have 2 chess schools in Almaty with a 3rd opening up, with your success now as the Girls Junior Champion, this would inspire your students to play and perform to their best?

ZA: This will definitely inspire my students at all 3 schools with my victory. I hope that my victories will inspire them to work harder, to achieve new goals.

JK: Having visited one of your schools in Almaty, and I was very impressed with what I saw, what is the structure, the training and programs for your schools?

ZA: The first thing is that the most of the trainers are from foreign countries, like Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus etc, etc. They are strong coaches, but they also have like a 2 month trial to see how their coaching is with the students, like how they students relate to the coaches. If the kids do not relate to the coach, then we change the coach at our academy. Everything at our schools is just for the kids, to make them strong professional chess players. And we created a special program for our children on which they train. Also, most of our coaches are around 2400-2500 rating strength.

JK: With your school, are you planning to expand into other cities in Kazakhstan?

ZA: We are unsure on what city we would expand into, but possibly into Astana as many parents are asking for us to open a school there.

JK: Kazakhstan has been known as a big supporter of chess especially with the support from your schools, will there be any financial reward or medal from the Government for winning the World Girls Junior Championship?

ZA: I am not sure but I do hope so. Before I didn’t win the World Girls Junior Championship, so I don’t know. Let’s just wait and see. I know we got some financial reward from the Asian Indoor Games.

JK: Finally, before I let you continue your celebrations on your victory and before you prepare for your flight back to Kazakhstan, do you think you will get more fans and potentially more students in your academies?

ZA: Of course. Now that I have finished playing today, all the news in Kazakhstan is about me winning the World Girls Junior Championship. People are looking and when people are looking, kids will follow to play and learn chess. I hope that there is a big hero’s welcome upon returning to Almaty, but I am just not sure how big it will be.

JK: Thank you very much for the interview and best of luck for the rest of 2017 and all of 2018.

ZA: Thank you. I am hoping to get a medal in Saudi Arabia and be in the top places for the money as well.

– Italian Chess Championship
– Italian Chess Championship for Women
– Italian Junior Chess Championship

All events are played in Presso Italiana Hotels, as the playing venue of the Championships.

Italian Chess Championship 2017 is held from from 28th November to 11th December with participation of 11 players. The event is played in 11 rounds by Robin Round system.

Among the participants are 4 Italian national players: Sabino Brunello, Danyyil Dvirnyy, Godena Michele, Luca Moroni, as well as top grandmasters and talented youngsters: David Alberto, Garcia Palermo Carlos, Genocchio Daniele, Gilevych Artem, Sonis Francesko, Stella Andrea and Valsecchi Alessio.

The Women’s Italian Chess Championship has started at the same place on 2nd December with participation of 8 top Italian female players, representatives: Gueci Tea, Di Benedetto Desiree, Zimina Olga, Brunello Marina, Sedina Elena, together with Movileanu Daniela, Santeramo Alessia Carmen and Palma Maria. The event is played in 7 rounds, Robin Round system.

Italian Chess Championship for Juniors (U20) takes place from 2nd-9th December and is played in 7 rounds. 8 players compete for the title: Lodici Lorenzo, Zamengo Fulvio, Barp Alberto, Carnicelli Valerio, Formento Paolo, Montilli Vincenzo, Belli Giorgio and Di Benedetto Edoardo.

The time control of each event is 100 minutes for the first 40 moves, with addition of 20 minutes from the 41st move, +15 minutes added on the 60th move till the end of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move, starting from the move one.

The total prize fund of the events is 23.000 EUR (Italian Chess Championship: 14.000 EUR, Italian Chess Championship for Women: 4.500 EUR , Italian Junior Chess Championship: 4.500 EUR). Top three players will be awarded with trophies, while all the participants will be rewarded with medals.

Top three ranked players on the Italian Chess Championship will be invited to participate the European Individual Chess Championship 2018 with all expenses taken by the Italian Chess Federation.

All the games are transmitted live and can be followed through the Official Website of the Championship.

The event is organized by the Italian Chess Federation.

On the same day the 2017 FIDE World Junior and Girls Under 20 chess championship started, I was designated as an arbiter and put in the sector of the DGT live boards.

While in the open section I was thrilled by the young Indian talent Praggnanandhaa raising to the first boards and by GM Tari Aryan keeping his nerve during the last decisive rounds, what I found both inspiring and interesting was the behavior that IM Zhansaya Abdumalik kept from start to finish that let her win clear first the Girl section without leaving board 1.

Even though I saw her and her cool hairstyles during meals in the hotel we shared, I didn’t want to spoil the tournament she was taking incredibly seriously. In fact she spent most of her time preparing for her games in the hotel, occasionally going out for a walk.

Zhansaya Abdumalik

After the closing ceremony, where she proudly had the Kazakh flag on her, I walked up to her at dinner and asked if I could film her doing her hair and ask a few question.

At first she laughed because she thought I was joking, but then she kindly agreed. The only problem was she had to leave in a couple of hours and had other interviews scheduled, so I finished my dinner very quickly, took all my gear and went to the hall to set everything up.

The result is an unusual interview where I quote High School Musical at a certain point, we both laugh a lot and, more importantly, you have an often undervalued insight on what a chess player looks like when she lays down her arms.

As it happens to anyone at the end of a new and terrific experience, it’s hard for me to explain how lucky I feel: during these two weeks I met so many players and arbiters from all around the world. Being an amateur chess player myself, it’s like you met your favourite movie stars or football players.

That’s what chess means, after all: we are one people.

A huge thanks to Vladimir Potkin and Zhansaya Abdumalik for the wonderful interviews and I wish them a lifetime of glorious chess results.

Zhansaya Abdumalik in play

The 2017 FIDE World Junior and Girls Under 20 chess championship is over and on my way home I’m trying to recollect all the amazing things that happened in these two weeks.

Fideacademy, that kindly invited me as press officer, offered me the possibility to interview GM Vladimir Potkin, one of the coaches of the Russian delegation. I assure you it can be intimidating to have your first interview with such an important player.

Vladimir has been European Individual Champion in 2011, surpassing on tiebreak Wojtaszek, Polgar and Moiseenko. He has worked for a few years with Levon Aronian, helping him to win the Linares International Chess Tournament in 2006, he has been the coach of Ian Nepomniachtchi and he’s been Sergey Karjakin’s second during last year’s World Championship Match against Magnus Carlsen.

Vladimir Potkin

I’ve prepared for this interview as if I were preparing for a fearsome opponent: I’ve looked up his best games and several Wikipedia pages and articles about him.

Before the interview I tried to make him comfortable by showing him the questions I had written and, to my surprise, he suggested several interesting topics I could add, showing his incredible experience.

What amazed me the most was the professionalism he held throughout the interview and also his friendliness after I showed him the final product.

Open +50

Top favorite GM Julian Granda Zuniga (Peru) had already won the tournament after his victory in round 10. Therefore, in last round he agreed in a quick draw and won the tournament with 9,5 points out of 11 games (8 victories, 3 draws).

In the year 1980 the top player from Peru won the WYCC Under 14 in Mexico, and now, 37 years later, he became World Champion in this year’s Senior-championship. What a nice story! One point behind the new World Champion GM Rogelio Antonio (PHI) and GM Eric Prie (FRA) finished on second and third place.

Open +65

Six players started the last round with 7,5 points. Three great fights on top boards for the World Champion’s title was expected!

On third board GM Lothar Vogt (GER) and GM Vlastimil Jansa (CZE) never over-crossed the line of a draw and agreed in it after 28 moves. On board two GM Evgeny Sveshnikov (RUS) – with lowest tie-break – managed to win against IM Arkady Shevelev (ISR). With this result a medal was sure for him, but will he be second, or will he even be the new World Champion in his category?

On first board the two GM Anatoly Vaisser (FRA) and GM Eugenio Torre (PHI) tried also to win the game. Around the 24th move it seemed the Philippians hero will have a better position. But quite later the 4-times Senior World Champion Vaisser managed to win a pawn. Torre was able to defend his position in a draw.

After this result GM Evgeny Sveshnikov (RUS) became the new World Champion, half a point in front of 9 players with 8 points. The other medalists are GM Vaisser and GM Jansa.

Women +50

Number one seeded WGM Elvira Berend (LUX) started convincingly with 6,5 out of 7 games, but in penultimate game she lost to WGM Marina Makropoulou (GRE). A very fast draw in last round secured her the first place and the World Champion title.

WGM Makropoulou had a bad start of 3 points out of 6 games and then a perfect final with 3 points in the last 3 games. With this result she managed to finish on second place.

Bronze medal went to WGM Galina Strutinskaia (RUS) with 6 points as well. The ladies played only 9 games.

Women +65

The two Georgian players WGM Tamar Khmiadashvili and GM Nona Gaprindashvili dominated the tournament. Both of them scored 7,5 points out of 9 games. Khmiadashvili won the title, as she managed to win against Gaprindashvili in third round. Bronze medal went to WIM Tatiana Titorenko (RUS).

The closing ceremony took place in the tournament venue. Mr. Roberto Rivello, Chairman of FIDE Constitutional Commission, Member of FIDE Executive Board and Vice President of Italian Chess Federation, together with Mr. Lorenzo Lucchini, Mayor of Acqui Terme, gave the trophies to the medal winners.

The final standings:

Open +50:
1. GM Julian Granda Zuniga (PER) 9,5
2. GM Rogelio Antonio (PHI) 8,5
3. GM Eric Prie (FRA) 8,5

Open +65:
1. GM Evgeny Sveshnikov (RUS) 8,5
2. GM Anatoly Vaisser (FRA) 8
3. GM Vlastimil Jansa (CZE) 8

Women +50:
1. WGM Elvira Berend (LUX) 7
2. WGM Marina Makropoulou (GRE) 6
3. WGM Galina Strutinskaia (RUS) 6

Women +65:
1. WGM Tamar Khmiadashvili (GEO) 7,5
2. GM Nona Gaprindashvili (GEO) 7,5
3. WIM Tatiana Titorenko (RUS) 6,5

Next World Senior Championship will be organized in November 2018 in Bled, Slovenia.

Official Website:
www.scaccomattissimo.eu

Results

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