European Women’s Rapid & Blitz Championship 2023 starts in Monte-Carlo
The European Women’s Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2023 is about to kick off in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. The competition is be held from January 11-15, 2024 (it was moved from December 2023 to January 2024 due to venue commitment). The first event on the schedule is the Blitz Championship, taking place on January 12. The competition is a 13-round Swiss tournament with a time control of 3 min + 2 sec increment. It will be followed by the European Women’s Rapid Chess Championship 2024, an 11-round Swiss tournament with a time control of 15 min+ 10 sec increment, stretching over January 13-14. The total prize fund of the events is 22,500 EUR. Over 120 players from 24 European federations registered for the competitions, including former Women’s World Champions GMs Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI), Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL), Anna Ushenina (UKR) and legendary Nona Gaprindashvili (GEO). Among the top seeds, we will see many well-known players such as GMs Paehtz Elisabeth (GER), Pia Cramling (SWE), Bella Khotenashvili (GEO), IMs Nurgyul Salimova (BUL), Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (ESP) and many others. A complete starting list of players can be found here. Live broadcast with commentaries by IM Almira Skripchenko and GM Emir Bagheri can be exclusively followed on the ECU YouTube channel. Official Facebook page of the event
13th edition of “Preparation of Teachers” course announced
Calling all chess enthusiasts and educators! Get ready for the 13th edition of the “Preparation of Teachers” course hosted by the FIDE Chess in Education Commission. Mark your calendars for January 19-21, 2024, for an enriching online experience conducted in English. This course is designed to equip you with innovative and creative methods to develop academic skills (the so-called 4C’s) using chess as an educational tool. It’s an intensive 3-day program you should not miss. And here’s the best part: Based on your exam results, you could earn the prestigious FIDE title of School Instructor. As an added benefit, successful candidates will receive lifelong access to the chess databases of OPENING MASTER PREMIUM. Read the detailed course description here. Presenters: commission members Anzel Laubscher and Boris Bruhn Who Should Attend: Teachers, chess educators, beginner and advanced players with basic chess knowledge, and anyone with experience working with children. To secure your spot, kindly complete and return this registration form. Registration is open until January 15. Join the course and learn how to teach chess effectively; only 20 spots are available! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at edu.courses@fide.com