Pune, India to host three-day Chess for Freedom Conference
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and IndianOil Corporation are proud to organize the second in-person Chess for Freedom Conference from June 19-21, 2024, in Pune, India. This event will bring together experts from the global chess community to explore the use of chess as a rehabilitation tool for incarcerated individuals. “As we convene for the Chess for Freedom Conference, our mission extends beyond the chessboard. This gathering is crucial for spreading the transformative power of chess across numerous countries and prisons,” said Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chairperson of the FIDE Management Board. “By sharing experiences and methodologies, we not only enhance the scope of our initiatives but also provide vital support for newcomers who are integral to our community. These efforts are essential for developing a framework that empowers incarcerated individuals worldwide, fostering skills that pave the way for their successful reintegration into society.” FIDE warmly invites chess officials, representatives of national federations, members of penitentiary administrations, and policymakers from various countries to engage in discussions on innovative strategies for chess programs in prisons. The three-day conference will showcase the successful implementation of the Chess for Freedom project across different countries, feature case studies from national initiatives, and present real-life examples of forming prison chess teams competing in the intercontinental tournament. Attendees will also have an opportunity to visit an Indian correctional facility to observe these social programs firsthand. Event Schedule: ●June 19: Day 1 – Plenary session with various breakout topics. ●June 20: Day 2 – Plenary session with various breakout topics ●June 21: Visit to a Pune prison, including interactions with the prison administration and Chess in Prison program staff. The detailed event schedule will be released soon. This conference will be broadcast live on FIDE’s YouTube channel, and participants can join via Zoom to pose questions directly to the speakers. Registration Information: To participate in the conference, please complete the following form: forms.gle/519uuACkmfpZorZC8 About the Chess for Freedom Program: Launched in May 2021 by FIDE and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (Chicago, USA), the Chess for Freedom program emphasizes the rights and opportunities for self-realization and development of incarcerated individuals. Chess not only provides quality recreation but also helps mitigate symptoms like depression, stress, and anxiety. By enhancing memory, logical thinking, concentration, and imagination, chess aids in the reintegration of individuals post-release. The program kicked off with an online conference and an exhibition tournament involving four countries. It has since grown to include the annual Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners, which, in its third edition in October 2023, featured over 100 teams from 50 countries. The FIDE Social Commission also facilitates the Chess For Freedom Network, supporting ongoing or aspiring Chess in Prisons projects through peer access, best practice sharing, workshops, and seminars. Chess for Freedom Conference – Contact Information: Lasma KokorevichaSecretary of the FIDE Social CommissionEmail: sc.secretary@fide.comWhatsApp: +371 29 221 222
World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships: Registration is open
The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2024, organized by the International Chess Federation and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation in partnership with Freedom Holding, will be held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, between August 1 and 6. The second edition of the Championships will consist of a 12-round Swiss tournament played over three days under rapid time control (August 2-4) and a one-day blitz championship (August 5). The event, with a prize fund of €350,000, is open to squads from all over the world. Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President: “Following the success of the inaugural event last year in Dusseldorf, I am thrilled that we are now preparing for the second edition of this tournament, which is on its way of becoming a regular feature in the calendar of top global FIDE events. In our strive to diversify chess events and formats and increase opportunities for non-professional players, the World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships – where many amateurs of different chess skills have a chance to take part – is an excellent example of that ambition. FIDE and the chess world are very fortunate to have the likes of Freedom Holding and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation helping organize and fund this event. In recent years both have done a lot to support and promote chess in Kazakhstan but also in Asia and globally, and we thank them for that.” Create your own team from your club members, members of different federations or your favourite chess players. Registration is open via the following link: worldrapidblitzteams.fide.com/registration Team composition: Each team shall be composed in accordance with the following requirements: A. At least six and not more than nine players, including at least: a. one female player, b. one player, other than the one indicated in the previous point, who never achieved FIDE Standard, Rapid or Blitz Rating of 2000 Elo points (or unrated) up to and including the July 2024 rating lists, B. A captain, who may also be one of the players. Teams are required to register at least six players meeting the requirements by 1 July 2024. Three more players may be added at any time until 12pm Lausanne time, 25 July 2024. Among those who have already confirmed their participation in the event the world’s top-rated chess player (and holder of the world titles in Rapid and Blitz) Magnus Carlsen. World #1 will strengthen WR Team, which won the inaugural edition, and is ready to defend their title and try to take the first team crown in the Blitz. Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp. and President of Kazakhstan Chess Federation: “Over the past few years, Freedom Holding Corp. has been a sponsor of the largest and most milestone events in the chess world, and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation has significantly enhanced its partnership with FIDE during this period. Investments have a positive impact on chess popularization in the world and human capital development. I believe that having one more spectacular chess event in our nation’s capital will help elevate the status of Kazakhstan in the chess world and further charge the already growing interest in chess among our people. As we prepare to welcome teams from across the world, we extend our gratitude to FIDE for their collaboration and bringing another chess spectacle to this part of the world.” Now that the registration for the event is officially open, FIDE is looking forward to the teams and players who will take part in a chess spectacle this summer in Astana. Regulations for the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship: handbook.fide.com/files/handbook/WRTC2024Regulations.pdf Registration form: worldrapidblitzteams.fide.com/registration Official website: worldrapidblitzteams.fide.com
FIDE ChessMom Initiative: Call for submissions
As Mother’s Day approaches in many countries in the month of May, FIDE is pleased to announce the start of the application process for the ChessMom project. The ChessMom pilot initiative by the Commission for Women’s Chess aims to support professional chess players who are mothers of infants under one year old. Specifically, through this initiative, all expenses related to an accompanying or caregiver person for ten female players traveling with their infants to the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary will be covered. We invite federations, clubs, and players themselves to send their applications, including information about a mother and a child, as well as a Letter of Concurrence from the National Federation, stating that a player is a part of the National Team by filling the following form: forms.gle/9UQUqpvqHCnhZAh88 For more information and confirmation, please contact the Project Leader, Francisco J Cruz Arce. E-mail: fj_007@yahoo.com WhatApp: +1-787-587-3409 Olympiad Registration dates are from April 18 – June 10, 2024 Timeline for ChessMom Submissions May 06, 2024 – Submission Period starts May 29, 2024 – Submission Period closes May 30, 2024 – WOM ChessMom Project meeting June 01, 2024 – WOM announcement of selected Players Learn more about the ChessMom initiative here: fide.com/news/2892
FIDE Circuit: Abdusattorov leads after four months
FIDE Circuit is a relatively new path to qualify for the FIDE Candidates Tournament, introduced last year. The player achieving the highest results during 2024 in eligible tournaments will get a spot in the next Candidates. Each player must play in at least five eligible tournaments, including at least four with a standard time control. The final score is calculated as the sum of the player’s up to seven highest scores. Notable, Gukesh D, who qualified for the Candidates 2024 in Toronto through FIDE Circuit, eventually won the event and became the Challenger. The FIDE Circuit 2023 demonstrated that to qualify for the Candidates, one must score in the point-heavy tournaments, and the 2024 edition will continue this trend. Similar to 2023, strong performances in the point-heavy events are key to qualifying through the Circuit this year. Let’s have a look at the FIDE Circuit 2024 first-trimester results. The year kicked off with one of the most important events of the year, Tata Steel Chess. The winner of the Masters, Wei Yi, immediately grabbed the lead with 20.54 points, while Gukesh D, Anish Giri and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who tied with the Chinese GM for first place, also picked good points (14.22 each). Notably, Wei Yi hasn’t played in any more eligible tournaments and has dropped to 11th place. February saw Daniel Dardha win the Djerba International Chess Festival Masters, climbing to second position after adding points 8.6 points to his Tata Steel Challengers performance (10.3 points). Hans Niemann, sharing first place with Daniel, secured his initial Circuit points there. Photo: Djerba Chess Festival Facebook The third month of the year saw significant shifts in the leaderboard. Nodirbek Abdusattorov won the strong Prague International Chess Festival 2024 Masters, gaining 25 points and taking the lead, which he held till the end of April. Around this time, another point-heavy tournament took place in Shenzhen (China). It became a springboard for Bu Xiangzhi, Yu Yangyi and Arjun Erigaisi, who tied for first place and joined the race. March also featured the Aeroflot Open, won by Amin Tabatabaei (+19.79 points), and the Grenke Chess Open, where the top finishers got quite a few points. Photo: Michal Walusza The Candidates Tournament held in April became the leaderboard changer as the winner, Gukesh D, picked up 26.94 points. Coupled with 14.22 points earned in Tata Steel Masters in January, it propelled the young Indian to the top spot. However, his lead was short-lived. Arjun Erigaisi turned in two strong performances in the Menorca Open (1st place and 16.19 points) and the TePe Sideman & Co Chess Tournament (2nd place and 14 points) leapfrogging his compatriot. Photo: Mikael Svensson Still, it was not enough to reach the pole position as the winner of the latter tournament, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, added 16.21 points to his tally to overtake both Gukesh and Erigaisi and get back to the top of FIDE Circuit 2024. Daniel Dardha’s victory at the Sardinia World Chess Festival (+14.07 points) pushed him to fourth, while the winner of the Tata Steel Challengers Leon Luke Mendonca (pictured below) lifted another trophy in the 2024 Spring Chess Classic (+13.74 points) and reached fifth. Photo: St-Louis Chess Club / Crystal Fuller With so many strong tournaments to come (suffice it to mention Dubai Police Global Chess Challenge, Superbet Poland Rapid & Blitz in Warsaw and Norway Chess all to be played in May) the race for the top position remains wide open. We maintain a dedicated page on our website for the FIDE Circuit, offering the latest information on eligible tournaments, the current standings, and regulations. Visit: FIDE Circuit 2024.