First Continental Online Chess Championships for Prisoners announced
The first-ever Continental Online Chess Championships for Prisoners will take place in May 2025, marking a significant milestone in the effort to bring chess into correctional institutions worldwide. As part of the Chess for Freedom initiative, this expansion provides incarcerated individuals with new opportunities for intellectual engagement, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society. The event will feature separate championships for four continents: Africa – May 13, 2025Americas – May 16, 2025Europe – May 20, 2025Asia – May 23, 2025 Tournament Format & Eligibility Each championship is a team event, open to correctional institutions within their respective continents. Each country may register up to three teams: One team from a male correctional facility One team from a female correctional facility One team from a juvenile correctional facility (under 20 years old) Additional teams may be invited from countries that organize national championships among prisoners. Each team will consist of four players, with an unlimited number of substitutes. All participants must be incarcerated individuals, and anonymity will be maintained in accordance with legal regulations. The tournaments will be played on Chess.com, using a 10-minute + 5-second increment time control. The format – Round Robin or Swiss System – will depend on the number of participating teams. The top two teams in each continental event will advance to the Championship Match (which will be held on the second day) to determine the continental winner. Registration & Key Dates Registration Deadline: May 1, 2025 Registration Link: Click HERE to register Technical Meeting: Week of May 5, 2025 (via Zoom) Correctional institutions must complete the online registration form and confirm their team’s participation via email to Mikhail Korenman (mikhail.korenman@ccsheriff.org). Since its launch in 2021, the Chess for Freedom initiative has introduced chess to correctional institutions around the world, demonstrating its value as a tool for education, personal development, and social reintegration. The introduction of continental-level championships represents a step forward in expanding access to the game, allowing teams from different regions to compete on a larger stage. For full tournament details, please refer to the official event guidelines. Regulations for Continental Online Championships for Prisoners (PDF)
World Senior Championships 2025: Four-way tie in 50+; England leads 65+
The 2025 World Seniors Team Chess Championship in Prague is entering its final stages. With just three rounds to go, both the 50+ and 65+ competitions remain wide open, setting the stage for an exciting finish. After six rounds in the 50+ section four teams–England 1, USA, Slovakia and Italy– share the lead on 10/12 points with England 1 holding the top spot due to a greater number of points. Round 7 will feature key matchups between the leaders, as USA faces Italy while Slovakia takes on England 1. In the women’s standings, China leads with 8/12 points, closely followed by Czech Women and the USA. 50+ standings after Round 6 In the 65+ category, England 1 leads with 11/12 points, having won five matches and drawn just one against Lasker Schachstiftung GK, which trails by a single point on 10/12. Five teams—France, England 2, Israel, Hungary, and Norge – OSS—are tied for third place. Round 7 will see England 1 tested by France, while Lasker Schachstiftung GK faces Norge – OSS, and England 2 plays Israel. 65+ standings after Round 6 The tournament has already produced many remarkable encounters, with the best game of each round being awarded a special prize. GM Lexy Ortega from Italy won the first-round award (a small chess horse), followed by English GM Michael Adams, Swedish IM Nils-Gustaf Renman, Dutch FM Prakken Gerrit and Moshe Gal of Israel (pictured below). On the rest day, February 22, participants had the opportunity to take a guided tour of Prague, the stunning capital of the Czech Republic. Additionally, a blitz tournament was held, with Jaan Ehlvest emerging as the winner. Photos: Ave Chess