FIDE World Senior Team Championship 2024 kicks off in Krakow, Poland
A record-breaking 32 Grandmasters gather in Krakow, Poland, as the FIDE World Senior Team Chess Championship 2024 kicks off in this beautiful European city, with its iconic Market Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The championship opening ceremony took place at the renowned Słowacki Theatre, one of Poland’s distinguished playhouses operating since 1893. The event brought together 65 teams and 307 players from all over the world, boasting the highest number of Grandmasters playing in a chess competition on Polish soil this year. The ceremony attracted prominent chess figures, local officials, and celebrities, including Gunnar Björnsson (FIDE delegate), Radoslaw Jedynak (President of the Polish Chess Federation), Kamila Kałużna-Turcza (chair of the organizing committee), and Hanna Ereńska-Barlo (the first Polish WGM). City officials expressed their pride in hosting the event during FIDE’s centenary year. “We are very proud and pleased that Krakow was chosen to host this tournament during the FIDE 100 anniversary year,” said Janusz Kozioł, plenipotentiary of the Mayor of Krakow. Lukasz Turlej, FIDE Secretary General, said a few beautiful words about Krakow: “Krakow is known as a City of Kings. We are proud to see the World Team Senior Chess Championship coming here in this special year of FIDE’s 100th anniversary.” The ceremony continued with the Polish national anthem followed by the FIDE anthem. Guests were treated to a performance by a Historical Krakowian Dancing Group and a special FIDE 100th Anniversary Movie. Lukasz Turlej closed the ceremony by presenting FIDE 100 medals to Kamila Kałużna-Turcza and Janusz Kozioł. After the official part, everyone went for refreshments in the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre. A few words should be said about the tournament’s investors and partners. The event is played with the honorable support of the Ministry of Sport and several partners: the City of Krakow, Mokate, Chess Grow, Sunrise, Galaxy Hotel, and the Polish Chess Federation. Photos: Michal Walusza and Mark Livshitz
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships: Registration deadline extended
The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships, set to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, are rapidly approaching, and excitement is already in the air. With the registration deadline (July 12) drawing near, teams from around the world are urged to act quickly to secure their spot in this prestigious event. It promises to be an exhilarating experience for both players and spectators alike. Big names and teams ready to compete The tournament will feature some of the biggest names and strongest teams in the chess world. Teams such as China Team for 10 years with stars like World Champions Wenjun Ju and Ding Liren, and WR Chess Team boasting Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Hou Yifan have already confirmed their participation. Other notable teams include ALAIN ACMG UAE with Daniil Dubov and Vladimir Fedoseev, and ASHDOD CHESS CLUB with Nihal Sarin and Pavel Eljanov. Hisham Al Taher, team director of one of the rating-favorite teams, ALAIN ACMG UAE, expressed his enthusiasm for the event: “The World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships in Astana is shaping up to be an extraordinary event. The combination of rapid and blitz formats in a team setting offers a unique and thrilling experience. I’m excited to lead my team and compete against some of the best players in the world. The camaraderie and competitive spirit will make this a memorable championship.” Another star player, Arjun Erigaisi from Team MGD1, shared his excitement: “Team events are generally a lot of fun, and the same goes for World Rapid and Blitz. The event in Astana is basically combining those two, so it will be an ultimate delight! I look forward to it.” GM Anna Muzychuk of Chessy echoed this sentiment: “I look forward to the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Astana. It’s a competition of top players, but also an opportunity for non-professionals to meet and even play the biggest legends of our game. I believe such an amazing format will bring fun and keep the tension until the very last moment.” Format The 5 days of chess will feature two formats: Rapid Tournament: A 12-round Swiss system with a time control of 15 minutes per game plus a 10-second increment per move. Blitz Tournament: The Blitz tournament is divided into two stages. In Stage 1, teams are grouped into pools and play a round-robin format. The top 16 teams advance to Stage 2, which is a knockout stage. The time control is 3 minutes per game with a 2-second increment per move. The total prize fund for the event is a staggering €350,000 euros, with €250,000 allocated for the Rapid Tournament and €100,000 for the Blitz Tournament. In addition to financial rewards, members of the top three teams in each category will receive medals. Exciting side events In addition to the main tournament, KazChess has organized several side events to enhance the overall experience for participants and spectators. The highlight will be the FIDE torch relay, featuring many distinguished guests, including Kazakhstani sports stars, celebrities, and national authorities. This event aims to celebrate the spirit of chess and bring the community together in a festive atmosphere. We invite teams from around the world to join us in Astana for an unforgettable event. Register now and compete with the best in the world! For more details and to register, visit the official website.