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.