Second leg of FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2024-2025 kicks off in Shymkent
Kazakhstan has emerged as a powerhouse in women’s chess, proudly represented by stars like Bibisara Assaubayeva, a two-time Women’s World Blitz Chess Champion, and the Kazakh women’s team, who recently claimed silver at the 2024 FIDE Olympiad. It is thus fitting that Kazakhstan hosts the second leg of the prestigious FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, a cornerstone competition in the women’s chess calendar. Starting October 30, 2024, ten of the world’s top female players will compete in Shymkent in a round-robin format, vying not only for victory but also for crucial Grand Prix points that impact their qualification for the upcoming FIDE Candidates Tournament. This elite lineup includes renowned players such as Bibisara Assaubayeva, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Stavroula Tsolakidou, Humpy Koneru, Kateryna Lagno, Tan Zhongyi, Nurgyul Salimova, Batkhuyag Munguntuul, Elisabeth Paehtz, and Divya Deshmukh. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, fans can anticipate a thrilling display of skill and intense games. The tournament commenced with an elegant opening ceremony at the Rixos Khadisha Hotel, where the playing hall is located. The evening opened with a captivating traditional dance, followed by a tribute to each participant. Players were invited to the stage as their achievements were announced, each donning attire by renowned designer Aida Kaumenova, inspired by Kazakh traditions. The event was graced by distinguished guests, including FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Vice President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation Marat Yessenov, and Shymkent’s First Deputy Akim Kuanysh Asylov, all of whom addressed the audience with inspiring words. President Dvorkovich expressed his hopes for fierce competition and commended Kazakhstan’s remarkable progress in the chess world, stating, “Kazakhstan’s success story is the culmination of joint efforts by the government, regional authorities, the Chess Federation, and supporters across the chess community. I hope this model inspires others globally.” Kuanysh Asylov, in his remarks, thanked FIDE for selecting Shymkent as the host city. “For our city with more than 2000 years of chess tradition, this is a great honor. We have many chess clubs in our city, and chess as a subject is taught in schools. All this is a merit of our cooperation with the International Chess Federation and the results of support from the country’s leadership.” In addition to speeches and performances, the ceremony featured a fashion show by Aida Kaumenova, showcasing designs that echo the strategic and artistic elements of chess. The evening was a spectacular celebration of Kazakh chess passion and a fitting tribute to the players. Round 1 begins Wednesday at 15:00 local time, with a time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move one. Round 1 Pairings: Kateryna Lagno vs. Aleksandra GoryachkinaDivya Deshmukh vs. Humpy KoneruTan Zhongyi vs. Elisabeth PaehtzBatkhuyag Munguntuul vs. Stavroula TsolakidouNurgyul Salimova vs. Bibisara Assaubayeva For more information about the event, including news, images, regulations, pairings, and games, please visit womengrandprix.fide.com/ Written by Charlize van Zyl Photos: Konstantin Chalabov and Viktoriya Abramova
World Youth Championship 2024 commences in Florianópolis
The world’s best chess players under 18 have gathered in Florianópolis, Brazil, for the 2024 World Youth Chess Championship (WYCC), held at the Canasvieiras Internacional Hotel from October 28 to November 10. The opening ceremony took place on Tuesday at the venue. A total of 527 players, including 150 titled players, from 62 countries—among them the United States, India, France, Spain, Georgia, China, Norway, Germany, Kazakhstan, and Poland—are competing in this year’s event. Host nation Brazil has the largest representation with 97 players. Organized by FIDE in collaboration with the Brazilian Chess Confederation (CBX) and led by Chief Arbiter IA Kaiser Luiz Mafra, the championship features three age categories (Under 14, 16, and 18) in both open and girls’ divisions, with six 11-round Swiss tournaments with classical time control running simultaneously. Following international organizational standards, the venue is equipped with metal detectors to prevent unauthorized electronic devices. The event is supported by a skilled team of FIDE arbiters and technical staff. The first World Youth Chess Solving Championship will be held during the WYCC on November 4, mirroring the age and gender categories of the main event.Registration is open via email at worldyouth@fide.com. Written by Liziane Nathália Vicenzi Photo: André Gemmer
FIDE President visits Uzbekistan
At the end of October, a FIDE delegation led by President Arkady Dvorkovich visited Uzbekistan as part of preparations for the 46th Chess Olympiad, which the country will host in 2026. Upon arriving in Samarkand on October 27, the FIDE delegation met with local authorities, inspected the construction of the EXPO Center, and reviewed hotel capacity to ensure compliance with FIDE requirements. The 46th Olympiad will follow Samarkand’s successful hosting of the 2023 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships. The next day, October 28, the FIDE delegation continued to Tashkent, where they held a productive meeting with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, who is also President of the Uzbek Chess Federation, as well as the Minister of Sport Adham Ikromov, and Alisher Sa’dullayev, Director of the Youth Affairs Agency and first deputy chairperson of the Uzbek Chess Federation. The discussions covered various aspects of the preparation for the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand and highlighted ongoing efforts to develop and promote chess throughout Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has quickly risen in the chess world, with five players currently ranked among the world’s top 100, underscoring the country’s growing prominence in the sport. The nation won the 2022 Chess Olympiad and recently secured bronze at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest.
2024 FIDE Zonal Council meeting: Minutes
FIDE publishes the minutes of FIDE Zonal Council Meeting, held on September 20, 2024. 2024 FIDE Zonal Council meeting minutes (PDF)