FIDE announces proposed changes to 2025 Circuit Regulations
FIDE is planning several changes to the FIDE Circuit 2025 Regulations based on feedback from the 2024 Circuit. These changes aim to create a more competitive environment for all participants. The key proposed updates are: 1. Changes to the Number of Players Eligible for Circuit Points in Round-Robin Tournaments For tournaments with fewer than 10 participants, points will still be awarded to the top 3 finishers. In round-robin tournaments with 10–12 participants, points will be awarded to the top 4 finishers. For tournaments with more than 12 participants, the top 5 finishers will receive points. Why? This change aims to better reflect the value of longer tournaments by awarding points to more players, ensuring that larger tournaments are rewarded fairly. 2. Eligibility of Double Round-Robin Super Tournaments Double round-robin tournaments with at least 6 participants and an average rating of 2700 Elo points will also be eligible for Circuit points. Why? This change acknowledges the importance of prestigious super tournaments, which often feature top-level players and are key events in the FIDE calendar. 3. Reduction of Points for Tournaments with Multiple Rounds in One Day Tournaments with two rounds in one day will have a reduced total of Circuit points. Why? The idea is to reduce points for shorter tournaments, where the compressed schedule might not reflect the same level of effort as longer events. Final Approval and Publication The final version of the FIDE Circuit 2025 Regulations is expected to be approved by the FIDE Council in the coming days and published by December 31, 2024. These changes are designed to create a more balanced and competitive system for awarding FIDE Circuit points, ensuring that players are fairly rewarded for their performance in high-quality tournaments.
Spanish Championship: Daniil Yuffa and Sabrina Vega claim titles
GM Daniil Yuffa and IM Sabrina Vega have emerged as the new Spanish chess champions. The Spanish Chess Championship 2024, a 9-round Swiss tournament with classical time control, took place in Marbella, Spain from December 11-19. While men and women competed in the same pool, they were ranked separately. The event attracted some of the best Spanish players, including six grandmasters rated over 2600, and turned into a fiercely contested competition. Third-seeded Daniil Yuffa secured crucial victories in Rounds 7 and 8 against IM Diego Macias Pino and Alexei Shirov, heading into the final round with a comfortable 1-point lead over five rivals tied for second place. Despite his advantage, the leader faced a tough challenge in the final round, playing with the black pieces against top-seeded GM David Antón Guijarro. Daniil rose to the occasion, managing to escape with a draw in a difficult position and clinching his maiden national title. GMs Maksim Chigaev and Eduardo Iturrizaga Bonelli secured final round victories and tied for second place, with the former taking silver due to a superior Buchholz. In the women’s rankings, IM Sabrina Vega Gutiérrez scored 6.5/9 to claim her ninth national title as the best female player. IM Marta García Martín took second place, while Miranda Herrera Belén earned bronze. IM Diego Macías Pino finished ninth and won the Best U18 Award. Final standings Photos: Patricia Claros Aguilar Official website: feda.org/feda2k16/
Aleksandr Volodin and Margareth Olde crowned Estonian champions
GM Aleksandr Volodin and WIM Margareth Olde have emerged as the new chess champions of Estonia. This year’s Estonian Championship finals, held from December 12–19 at the Paul Keres Chess Hall in Tallinn, featured knockout tournaments in the Open and Women’s sections. The events boasted a combined prize fund of €10,000. In the Open section, a 16-player knockout tournament, GM Aleksandr Volodin faced IM Mai Narva, the highest-rated Estonian woman player, in the final. Volodin triumphed decisively, winning 2.5–0.5 to secure his fourth national title. Final Standings – Open Section GM Aleksandr Volodin (SK Diagonaal) IM Mai Narva (SK Reval-Sport) GM Meelis Kanep (Tõnu Truusi MKK) In the Women’s section, top-seeded WIM Margareth Olde lived up to expectations as the pre-tournament favorite. In a tightly contested final against WCM Grete Olde, Margareth clinched victory in the fourth game, capturing her third national title. Final Standings – Women’s Section WIM Margareth Olde (Tallinn MK) WCM Grete Olde (Tallinn MK) WIM Monika Tsõganova (MK Areng) Photos: Eesti Maleliit Facebook Official website: maleliit.ee/et/