Refugee Team ready to compete on global stage at Chess Olympiad
In an exceptional step towards empowerment and inclusivity, the selection for the Refugee Chess Team – which will for the first time be competing at a Chess Olympiad – has concluded at the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya This historic milestone marks a new chapter in FIDE’s initiative for refugees “Chess for Protection” launched in 2021. The selection process consisted of tournaments held at schools and community centers in Kakuma. The events were organized by a team of FIDE officials, including licensed arbiter David Lekopien, Chess Kenya President Benard Wanjala, and representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The project aims to send people a message of hope and opportunity, regardless of their background and life circumstances. The initiative underscores FIDE’s longstanding commitment to promoting inclusivity and unity through chess. During their stay in Kakuma, the Deputy Chair of the Managing Board of FIDE, Dana Reizniece-Ozola and the Chair of the FIDE Commission on Women’s Chess, Anastasia Sorokina, gave lectures and simuls and met with students to assess their chess skills and understand their circumstances. They also paid an official visit to Dr. Salome M.Beacco, CBS Principal Secretary of the State Department for Correctional Services, to discuss the implementation of another FIDE social project – Chess for Prisons – and discuss prospects of including the Kenyan penitentiary facilities in the project. The delegation of officials from Kenya was invited to the upcoming Chess for Freedom Conference, scheduled to take place from June 19 to 21 in Pune, India. FIDE also hopes the country will join the 4th Intercontinental Championship among Prisoners in October 2024. A Triumph of Talent and Perseverance The goal of the selection process was to find 10 promising players – five for the Women’s team and five for the Open – who would represent the team of Refugees at the forthcoming Olympiad in Budapest (Hungary) in September. The participants came from community chess clubs, primary and secondary schools, and the Girls Club. Empowering Through Chess Caught in the spirals of conflict, poverty, and rejection, those without a home or legal status face many challenges just to achieve basic human rights such as freedom and the right to develop and think freely. The Chess for Protection – jointly executed by FIDE, UNHCR, LWF, Chess Kenya, and the Kakuma Chess Club – is aiming to make a change for the refugee community. So far, in this project in Kenya, over 2,000 children from 36 schools have taken part and have received training and advice applicable to other aspects of life. The Girls Club has been particularly impactful. Launched in August 2021, the club aims to help refugee girls learn chess, acquire new life skills, and find a way to express themselves, doing so in a safe environment. The club operates in three girls’ boarding schools and has seen significant participation, with 250 schoolgirls attending chess classes twice a week. The program not only teaches chess but also incorporates lessons on the social benefits of the game, helping the students to build skills which are useful both on and off the chess board. Looking Ahead to the Olympiad The selected team members will now move to the next stage – working with a trainer who will prepare them not just for a grand event such as the Chess Olympiad but also help them prepare themselves for the trip and the experiences they will have. The trainer will be selected by the Social Commission of FIDE. The UNHCR and the Kenyan government will support the team in getting the necessary documentation processes, ensuring a smooth journey to the Olympiad. FIDE will cover all travel costs for the two teams. In the words of Dana Reizniece-Ozola: “We are happy that nearly three years since the launch of the project, we have the first team of refugees that will take part in the Olympiad. We want to show the world that chess is an excellent tool to empower people and lead to change, and this story is a confirmation of that!” Photos: Stev Bonhage
FIDE announces finalists for 2024 World Corporate Chess Championship
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is excited to reveal the corporate finalists competing for the win at the 2024 World Corporate Chess Championship, presented by Freedom Holding Corp. ALMATY, Kazakhstan & New York – May 31, 2024 – FIDE, the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (International Chess Federation), today announced the finalists in the 2024 FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship, presented by Freedom Holding Corp. As part of FIDE’s centenary celebrations, this landmark event will bring together the biggest and brightest names in chess and business. The event will take part from June 15 to 17 at the historic Cunard Building in the heart of New York’s financial district. The championship includes eight finalists, whose strategic thinking and prowess earned them a trip to New York and seats at the chess board, as well as four wild card teams to turn up the challenge. Blending the intellectual rigor of chess with the strategic acumen of the business world, these teams will compete for international recognition and the glory of being titled the World Corporate Chess Champion. The 12 finalists competing in New York are: Nanjing Spark Chess Technology Co., Ltd. (China)ChessMood Inc. (USA)LLC “LC” “GRECO” (Ukraine)UBS Group AG (Switzerland)Chessify (USA)Tengizchevroil (Kazakhstan)Deutsche Bank (USA)SIG (USA) Wild card teams: Freedom Holding Corp. (Kazakhstan)Google (USA)Goldman Sachs (USA)BlackRock (USA) “This championship is a unique combination of chess and business – a new concept which we are looking to develop further,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. “Hosting this event in a global financial hub like New York underscores the importance of chess in advancing strategic thinking and decision-making within the corporate sector, and we want to enhance that link. We are thrilled to bring together top corporate minds worldwide and open new pathways for chess in the U.S. and globally.” The 2024 World Corporate Chess Championship, presented by Freedom Holding Corp. marks a significant milestone, integrating chess into the corporate sphere for the first time. This event highlights the parallels between the chessboard and the boardroom, celebrating the strategic thinking that drives success in both arenas. The finals will take place in New York City’s Cunard Building, an opulent, historic example of New York City architecture reflecting the spirit of global maritime trade, located just a short walk from Wall Street. “We are delighted to host the inaugural event in New York City, a melting pot of diversity and an incubator of opportunity,” commented Timur Turlov, Freedom Holding Corp. Chief Executive Officer. “We have seen global citizens come together in peace and engagement over the board, and it is that spirit of fellowship and understanding amongst diverse peoples of the world that we would like the Freedom Holding Corp. name to be synonymous with this. It is an honour for us to be presenting sponsors.” Attendees will not only witness a showdown for the championship title but also have the opportunity to engage in a full weekend of thoughtful and enriching activities, such as an insightful conversation with one of the world’s strongest Grandmasters, Hikaru Nakamura, a chance to meet International Master, Levy Rozman, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a stock exchange. Additionally, the weekend event offers participants daily opportunities to share a drink and network with business professionals and chess enthusiasts from across the globe. Event Highlights The finals are the culmination of two online qualifying stages with entrants from around the world. The competition will feature group stage matches and intense playoff rounds, ending in the crowning of the World Corporate Chess Champion. The teams will be split into two groups, each comprising four knockout qualifiers and two invited wild-card teams. The competition will unfold in two stages: a 10-round group stage, played over two days, June 15 and 16, followed by the semi-finals with the top two teams from each group facing off, and the finals, both held on June 17. For information about tickets, please visit: freedomcapmkts.com/chess Regulations and Participation Each team may have one player with a FIDE rating exceeding 2400. This ensures a balance of professional and amateur players, making the competition both challenging and inclusive. The finals will be played at a time limit of 10 minutes plus 5 second increments per move starting from move one. Global Corporate Representation The diversity of the participating teams, representing various industries (financial, tech, energy, investment) and regions (Europe, America, Asia), showcases the global appeal and inclusivity of the World Corporate Chess Championship. This event celebrates chess and aims to enhance international corporate communication and strategic collaboration. The 2024 World Corporate Chess Championship, presented by Freedom Holding Corp. is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of strategic excellence and a testament to the enduring connection between chess and business. For more information on the championship, including official regulations, live updates, and results, please visit worldcorporate.fide.com/. Contacts: Al Palombo (US) Anna Volkova (RUS) Global Communications Chief Public Relations Director Freedom US Markets FIDE +1 212-980-4400, Ext. 1013 apalombo@freedomusmkts.com Anna.Volkova@fide.com About Freedom Holding Corp. Freedom Holding Corp. is a diversified financial services holding company conducting retail securities brokerage, securities dealing, market making, investment research, investment counseling, investment banking and underwriting services, consumer banking, insurance and several ancillary businesses which complement its core financial services businesses, through its subsidiaries, under the name Freedom24 in Europe and Central Asia, and Freedom Capital Markets in the United States. Through its subsidiaries, Freedom Holding Corp. employs more than 6,000 people and is a professional participant in the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, the Astana International Exchange, the Republican Stock Exchange of Tashkent, and the Uzbek Republican Currency Exchange and is a member of the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. Freedom Holding Corp. is headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and has a presence in 19 countries, including Kazakhstan, the United States, Cyprus, Poland, Spain, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan, among others. Freedom Holding Corp.’s common shares are registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and are traded under the symbol FRHC on the Nasdaq Capital Market, operated by Nasdaq, Inc. To learn more about Freedom Holding Corp.,
Rajan Subedi and Sindira Joshi win Nepal Championship
Rajan Subedi and Sindira Joshi emerged as the winners of the Nepal Championship 2024 (open and women’s sections, respectively). The Nepal Chess Championships 2024 took place from June 1-6, 2024, in Kathmandu, Nepal. Both tournaments were 12-player round robins with classical time control. The open tournament was a fierce battle (neither player completed the event unbeaten), with Rajan Subedi, Shushrut Dahal and Kshitij Bhandari fighting for the top spot most of the way. Going into the final round a half-point ahead of his closest rivals, Rajan defeated Prem Krishna Maharjan to clinch the title. Shushrut and Kshitij also won their games and finished a half point behind the champion, tying for second place. Silver goes to Shushrut Dahal thanks to a superior Sonneborn-Berger. Final standings open: 1 Subedi, Rajan 1959 8 2 AIM Dahal, Sushrut 1961 7½ 3 FM Bhandari, Kshitiz 2085 7½ 4 Nepal, Prakash Chandra 1951 6½ 5 Silwal, Purushottam 2112 6 6 FM Jaiswal, Rupesh 2055 6 7 Maharjan, Suroj 1917 5 8 CM Lama, Milan 2038 4½ 9 Chaudhary, Sushil 1895 4½ 10 CM Shrestha, Keshav 1970 3½ 11 Maharjan, Prem Krishna 1923 3½ 12 Karki, Rajiv 1813 3½ The women’s tournament was dominated by Sindira Joshi who scored impressive 9/11 and captured the title with a round to spare, despite losing two games. Kritisara Adhikari pulled off a crucial victory over the champion in the final round and finished just a half-point behind, taking silver. Pooja Bhandari and Shanti Dhimal both netted 8/11 and tied for third place, with the former winning bronze thanks to the victory in their direct encounter. Final standings women: 1 Joshi, Sindira 1685 9 2 Adhikari, Kritisara 1746 8½ 3 Bhandari, Pooja 1683 8 4 Dhimal, Shanti 1672 8 5 Shrestha, Riya 1629 7½ 6 Kapali, Binita 1651 7½ 7 Gurung, Sushila 1611 4½ 8 Prasain, Punam 1558 4½ 9 Prajapati, Anshu Dil 3½ 10 Guja, Sabina 2½ 11 Kibanayo, Prashna 2½ 12 Duwal, Shresha 0 The Nepal Championships 2024 served as qualifiers for the national teams for the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Vivek Thing, Rupesh Jaiswal, Rajan Subedi, Shushrut Dahal and Kshitij Bhandari have been selected for men’s team. The women’s team will consist of Sujana Lohani, Sindira Joshi, Kritisara Adhikari, Pooja Bhandari and Shanti Dhimal. Photo: Raju Tamrakar