2024 promises to be a momentous year for chess as FIDE celebrates its 100th birthday. To commemorate this huge milestone, the year will be filled with chess activities around the world – from festivals and historical exhibitions, to special tournaments such as the Candidates. There is a lot in store and a lot to be excited about.

Now, what better way to start the festivities with a bang? This is exactly what happened today, with a special Chess Torch Ceremony held in India to mark FIDE’s centennial celebration.

The Chess Torch Ceremony began with a vibrant event in New Delhi at the Major Dhyan National Stadium. The event, rich in cultural performances and chess-related activities, saw the lighting of the Chess Torch by India’s Sports Minister, Anurag Singh Thakur.

Esteemed guests and chess greats, including Viswanathan Anand and Judit Polgar, were present, and the big day included multiple chess activities and speeches.

The event began at 08:30 with a Kids Blitz tournament, with chess legends Viswanathan Anand and Judit Polgar making their inaugural moves, setting a lively and inclusive tone for the day.

Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, President of the All India Chess Federation, offered a warm welcome address, followed by a captivating video presentation celebrating FIDE’s centennial and its diverse activities planned for the year.

Then, a “Hand & Brain” chess game between Mr Anurag Singh Thakur and Vishy Anand vs Arkady Dvorkovich and Judit Polgar was played, adding an interactive element to the event. What was the result, you may ask? Well, after some friendly competition, the game ended in a draw!

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich delivered an address, further emphasizing the global and unifying nature of chess, stating, “It is my firm belief, and our joint vision at FIDE, that chess is not just a game or a sport, but it is a huge tool to improve our society.” 

This address highlighted how chess can bridge cultures, ages, and backgrounds and how FIDE aims to bring chess to all communities in the world. The speech was followed by a vibrant cultural act representing various parts of India, showcasing the country’s diverse heritage and connection to chess.

The highlight of the ceremony was the lighting of the cauldron by Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur and Arkady Dvorkovich, symbolizing the official start of the Chess Torch Relay, which aims to unite the chess community worldwide. The Torch will travel the world to reach Budapest, Hungary in September, where the 45th Chess Olympiad will take place.

All India Chess Federation President, Dr Sanjay Kapoor’s address beautifully highlighted the significance of the Torch:

“Today, as the torch embarks on its journey from India to Budapest, let us remember that it symbolizes the unity and camaraderie that define our global chess family. And the values that it represents: perseverance, determination, and the unbreakable bonds that tie us together. Together, let us ignite the flames of inspiration and passion for the game of chess, and may they burn brightly for generations to come.”

Overall, it was a uniquely meaningful day which represents the special centennial year that we, as a global chess community, will get to celebrate with FIDE.

New Delhi [India], February 14: All India Chess Federation (AICF) President Sanjay Kapoor expressed immense pride in India hosting the 44th edition of the Chess Olympiad, calling it a dream come true moment for the governing body. The 44th edition of the Chess Olympiad was held in Chennai in the year 2022.

The AICF chief reminiscing India’s show in the Chess Olympiad, said the performance of the host team initiated a golden era in Indian Chess. More than 2500 players and 7000 had taken part in the global event at that time.

“Today, I extend my heartiest congratulations to FIDE on reaching the remarkable milestone of 100 years. As we celebrate, this historic moment, I’ve been reminded of the progress we all have witnessed in Indian chess over the last few years. None of which would have been possible without the golden touch of Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji,” Mr Sanjay Kapoor said during the Chess Olympiad Torch Relay handoff ceremony in Delhi on Wednesday.

“With the relentless effort of the AICF team and the ardent support of Shri Anurag Thakur ji, I’m proud to say that we pulled off something no one ever expected. We made our dream come true by bringing the chess olympiad to India.”

“When the torch relay travelled to 75 districts of the country, it literally ignited a fire in the heart of youngsters. When we actually hosted the chess olympiad and wrapped it successfully, with India finishing with 9 medals including historic women’s team bronze, we knew we had initiated a golden era in Indian Chess,” he added.

The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur on Wednesday handed over the Chess Olympiad Torch to Budapest, Hungary, the official host of the 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad.

The 1st Chess Olympiad Torch Relay was kicked off in a ceremony by the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Stadium on 19th June 2022.

The handoff ceremony took place at Delhi’s Major Dhyanchand National Stadium, where the honourable minister, along with Indian Grand Master Vishwanathan Anand played also a friendly game of Chess against FIDE President, Arkady Dvorkovich and Hungarian Grand Master Judit Polgár before handing over the Olympiad torch to the FIDE President and Budapest.

During the event, the Honorable Minister said “I am delighted that what we decided a few years back (to have Chess Olympiad Torch Relay) actually happened and that I am here at the handoff ceremony of the Torch for the Chess Olympiad.”

The next edition of the FIDE Chess Olympiad will now take place in Budapest, Hungary this year with the official announcement for the same being made earlier this year.

In 1996, the world witnessed a historic confrontation that transcended the realm of chess, becoming a symbol of the ongoing competition between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. Garry Kasparov, the reigning World Chess Champion and considered by many as the greatest chess player of all time, faced off against Deep Blue, a chess-playing computer developed by IBM. This six-round match marked the first time a reigning world champion played a chess computer under standard chess tournament conditions, capturing the imagination of people around the globe.

Kasparov emerged victorious, with a final score of 4–2, securing his position as the world’s premier chess talent. However, the match was notable for more than just the final score. Deep Blue’s victory in the first game of the match was a monumental moment; it was the first time a reigning world champion had lost to a computer under standard chess tournament conditions. This victory by Deep Blue served as a stark demonstration of the strides being made in the field of artificial intelligence, showcasing the potential for computers to challenge and even surpass human capabilities in specific domains.

The 1996 match was characterized by intense and high-level play, with Kasparov employing his deep understanding of chess strategy and tactics to outmaneuver the computer’s formidable calculating abilities. Deep Blue, on the other hand, utilized brute force computing and advanced algorithms to analyze millions of positions per second, presenting a style of play that was incredibly challenging for Kasparov to counter.

Despite Kasparov’s victory in 1996, the saga did not end there. IBM returned to the drawing board, making significant upgrades to Deep Blue’s hardware and software. In 1997, a rematch was held, during which Deep Blue defeated Kasparov in a six-game match, marking the first time a reigning world champion lost a match to a computer under standard chess tournament conditions. This rematch further underscored the dramatic progress of artificial intelligence and its potential to compete at the highest levels of human cognitive performance.

The Kasparov vs. Deep Blue matches are remembered not only as a pivotal moment in the history of chess but also as a landmark event in the study of artificial intelligence. They sparked widespread debate and discussion about the future of human and machine intelligence, the limits of computer capabilities, and the implications for other fields requiring cognitive expertise. Over two decades later, these matches continue to be studied and referenced as a key moment in the ongoing dialogue between human intuition and creativity and machine precision and calculation.

General information about the forthcoming 2024 FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates Chess Tournaments in Toronto

Toronto is poised to make chess history as it hosts the 2024 FIDE Candidates from April 3-23, where the challenger for the title of world champion will be determined in both the Open and the Women’s categories.

It will be a double first for chess: the first time the Candidates are held in North America and the first time that both the Open and the Women’s Candidates tournaments take place together.

This event, featuring 16 top-world players (eight in the open and eight in the Women’s category), has a combined prize fund of 750,000 euros, with 500,000 allocated for the Open and 250,000 for the Women’s event.

The event continues a long-term collaboration initiated in 2022 under the patronage of the Scheinberg family, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the growth of chess on the global stage.

General information:

Toronto’s historic Great Hall (located at 1087 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H3) will serve as the battleground for the elite players, engaging in a double round-robin tournament spanning 14 rounds. Spectators will be able to witness the intensity of the matches firsthand and experience the thrill of seeing top world players in person.

Participants:

Open Candidates*:

Ian Nepomniachtchi, 2023 Match Runner-up

R Praggnanandhaa, 2023 World Cup 2nd

Fabiano Caruana, 2023 World Cup 3rd

Nijat Abasov, 2023 World Cup 4th

Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, 2023 Grand Swiss winner

Hikaru Nakamura, 2023 Grand Swiss 2nd

Alireza Firouzja, Best by Rating

Gukesh D 2023 FIDE Circuit Winner

*Magnus Carlsen, who qualified for the Candidates by winning the 2023 World Cup, earlier informed FIDE that he will not be taking part in the event. As per FIDE Candidates qualification paths, Nijat Abasov, who finished 4th in the World Cup, took his place.

Women’s Candidates:

Lei Tingjie, 2023 Match Runner-up

Kateryna Lagno, 2022-23 WGP 1st

Aleksandra Goryachkina, 2022-23 WGP 2nd

Nurgyul Salimova, 2023 World Cup 2nd

Anna Muzychuk, 2023 World Cup 3rd

Vaishali Rameshbabu, 2023 Grand Swiss 1st

Tan Zhongyi, 2023 Grand Swiss 2nd

Humpy Koneru, Best by Rating (World Cup spot replacement)

Drawing of Pairings and Colors:

The drawing of pairings and colors will be conducted by the Chief Arbiter, in coordination with the FIDE COO, no later than four weeks before the start of the Candidates Tournament.

Players from the same federation shall play each other in rounds 1 and 8 (if only two) and in rounds 1, 2, 3 and 8, 9, 10 if there are up to three players from the same federation.

Withdrawals after completing 50% or more of games will result in the remaining games being declared as lost by default. For withdrawals before this threshold, all results will be annulled.

The dress code is strictly observed for the tournament and all the official events and press-conferences. Men are required to wear a neat shirt and formal suit, while women players should wear a neat shirt/blouse and formal suit (with slacks or skirt) or dress. Any requests to wear national or traditional dress shall be approved by the FIDE Technical Delegate.

Open Candidates Tournament Information:

Time control: 120 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 41.

Prizes: 48,000 euros for the winner, 36,000 euros for the second place, and 24,000 euros for the third place. Additionally, players receive 3,500 euros for every half-point scored.

Women’s Candidates Tournament Information:

Time control: 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 1.

Prizes: 24,000 euros for the winner, 18,000 euros for the second place, and 12,000 euros for the third place. Additionally, players receive 1,750 euros for every half-point scored

Preparations for the event:

Tournament Director, Grandmaster Pavel Tregubov, who is also the Secretary of FIDE’s Global Strategy Commission, said that everything is going to plan so far with the organization of the event.

“We are thrilled to host the 2024 FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates tournaments in Toronto, uniting the global chess community in a groundbreaking event,” said Tregubov.

“The simultaneous staging of these prestigious tournaments is a testament to the international appeal and growth of chess. We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Scheinberg family, whose dedication continues to elevate the sport,” Tregubov added.

Despite qualifying for the Candidates Tournament 2024 by winning the 2023 FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, world #1 Magnus Carlsen officially withdrew from the event. Carlsen had previously stated his disinclination after reaching the semifinals of the World Cup and in some private interviews; however, the formal Letter of Decline was received by FIDE today, January 13, 2024.

According to the FIDE Candidates qualification paths, the vacant spot at the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 goes to the next highest finisher in the 2023 FIDE World Cup, Nijat Abasov (2641, Azerbaijan), who is fourth in the tournament final standings.

The current lineup of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 is the following:

– Ian Nepomniachtchi, FIDE, 2023 Match Runner-up

– Praggnanandhaa R, India, 2023 World Cup 2nd

– Fabiano Caruana, USA, 2023 World Cup 3rd

– Nijat Abasov, Azerbaijan, 2023 World Cup 4th

– Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, India, 2023 Grand Swiss 1st

– Hikaru Nakamura, USA, 2023 Grand Swiss 2nd

– Alireza Firouzja, France, Best by Rating

– Gukesh D, India, 2023 FIDE Circuit Winner

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 will take place in April 2024 in Toronto, Canada. The winner of this 8-player double round-robin (all-play-all twice) will become the Challenger for the chess crown and play in the FIDE World Championship Match against the reigning world champion Ding Liren (China).

The World Blitz Chess Championship kicked off with steam in Samarkand, with 12 rounds played in the Open and nine rounds in the Women’s tournament. Daniil Dubov and Ian Nepomniachtchi were penalized for a prearranged draw in round eleven

After 12 rounds in the Open, six players are in the lead, with Vladislav Artemiev topping first place. With eight victories and one draw, Valentina Gunina is the sole leader in the Women’s Blitz, a point and a half ahead of a group of five players sharing 2-6th place.

There was a delay in publishing the results of round 12 and pairings for round 13 for the Open tournament, following a dispute over a game between Grandmasters Daniil Dubov and Ian Nepomniachtchi from round 11.

The disputed game between Dubov and Nepomniachtchi and FIDE’s decision

In round 11, Daniil Dubov was playing as White against Ian Nepomniachtchi. The game in question lasted 13 moves: 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.Nd4 Nd5 3.Nb3 Nb6 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Ne4 Ne5 6.Ng5 Ng4 7.Nf3 Nf6 8.Ng1 Ng8 9.Nc5 Nc4 10.Na4 Na5 11.Nc3 Nc6 12.Nb1 Nb8 13.Nf3, and they agreed on a draw in the following position:

The arbiters analyzed the moves, and, after round 12, the Chief Arbiter of the tournament, Ivan Syrovy, made the decision to reduce the points both players scored in the game. Reasoning his decision, Chief Arbiter Syrovy said: “In my eyes both players are responsible for it, I consider they prearranged the result of the game. My opinion is based on the moves they played”.

Grandmasters Ian Nepomniachtchi and Daniil Dubov objected to the decision, prompting a referral to the Appeals Committee.

A video which was published on Twitter appears to suggest the two grandmasters discussing the prearranged draw.

Late in the evening of December 28th to 29th, local time in Samarkand, the Appeals Committee unanimously voted (3/3) to reject Ian Nepomniachtchi’s appeal and uphold the decision made by the arbiter, Ivan Syrovy.

Before the above case, there was an appeal after the sixth round by American Andrew Hong who lost to Yu Yangyi from China. Hong lost on time but claimed that the clock was not working properly when he pressed it. The Appeals Committee examined the clock and did not find any evidence of malfunctioning. The Committee ruled that GM Hong “did try to push the clock, but failed to do it properly and [the] clock’s position remained unchanged” and his appeal was rejected. This appeal delayed round seven for an hour.

Here follows a report from the first day of the Blitz.

The Open Blitz

The first day of the Blitz in the Open tournament saw Vladislav Artemiev emerge as the main contender for the top place. He became the sole leader after defeating R Pragnanandhaa in round six. Round seven saw Artemiev having a tranquil draw with Magnus Carlsen, who trailed by half a point due to a draw in round two against the 300-points-lower-rated Jakhongir Vakhidov from Uzbekistan. A quick draw with Dubov followed in round eight. Subsequently, in round nine, Artemiev engaged in a gruelling battle against Ian Nepomniachtchi, resulting in yet another split point. At this juncture, Carlsen and Dubov caught up with Artemiev, all three sharing the lead with 7.5 points each. Then tragedy struck – Artemiev erred in the opening as Black against Sarin and was forced to defend a bad position, which he ultimately lost. In round 11, however, he made a comeback against Sjugirov to emerge as first among the tournament leaders again. In round twelve, Artemiev decided to slow down and made a quick draw with Erigaisi.

Artemiev is currently leading a group of six players with nine points, which includes defending Blitz Champion Carlsen, Vachier-Lagrave, and Indians Sarin, Erigaisi, and Alexander Riazantsev.

Dubov and Nepomniachtchi have 8.5 points, following the decision of FIDE to strip each of them of half a point from the game they drew.

Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen registered six draws and seven wins on the first day. In round 12, he faced Ian Nepomniachtchi, whom he defeated twice in the match for the World Champion title. Despite an intense game with both sides transitioning to an endgame while in time trouble, a crucial imprecision by Carlsen provided Nepomniachtchi with a significant opportunity, which he missed, resulting in an immediate draw.

Anish Giri, aiming to secure a place in the 2024 Candidates, started strongly in the Blitz after a slow start in the Rapid. With five points after six rounds, he was among the second tier of players, trailing the leader by just one point. However, from round nine onwards, Giri encountered setbacks. His loss as White to Dubov in round nine due to a misplay in the middlegame significantly weakened his position. Although he had an advantage against Pragnanandhaa in round 10, he allowed it to slip into a draw. Rounds 11 and 12 ended in draws with Murzin and a loss to Aleksandr Shimanov, respectively, marking Giri’s second loss of the day with the white pieces.

The Women’s Blitz

Valentina Gunina, a one-time gold and two-time silver medalist in the World Blitz, made an impressive start in the Women’s tournament. Leading with 8.5/9 after day one, she replicated her previous performance from the Almaty 2022 World Blitz by securing the top spot on day one yet again.

Gunina started with a remarkable streak of seven consecutive victories (including against the reigning Women’s Blitz Champion, Bibisara Assaubayeva) and became the sole leader from round six. Her first draw came in round eight with India’s Harika Dronavalli. At this stage, Anastasia Bodnaruk, fresh off her Women’s Rapid win, ascended to second place, trailing by just half a point with 7/8. Challenged in the final round of the day, Gunina clinched a decisive victory against Bodnaruk with the black pieces, finishing the day with 8.5/9, a point and a half ahead of her closest competition.

Reflecting on her performance at the end of the first day, Gunina remarked: “I feel tired, but I [would] feel more tired not playing chess.” She pointed out that last year in the World Blitz, she was also the leader after day one but then lost four games in a row on the second day. “One day, you can play great; the other day, you can lose everything”.

Asked whether having good time control is her main weapon for staying on top, Gunina replied with a puzzling smile: “Let me tell you tomorrow” [when the Blitz Championship finishes].

The start of the Women’s Blitz saw an excellent comeback for the former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, who finished the Women’s Rapid with just 6/11, midway through the standings. With five victories, she emerged as the leader in round five. However, Kosteniuk picked up just two points in the remaining four rounds of the day, having lost to Gunina (in round six, a direct encounter for the top position) and in round eight (to Bodnaruk).

With seven points, Kosteniuk leads a group of five players chasing Gunina: Dronavalli, Bodnaruk, Garifullina and another former Women’s World Blitz Champion, Kateryna Lagno. Kateryna started the World Blitz with a draw and then stumbled in round five against Polina Shuvalova and made another draw in round seven.

The defending Women’s Blitz Champion, Bibisara Assaubayeva, completed the first day with 6/9. She lost two consecutive games – to Gunina in round four and Bodnaruk in round five. Towards the end of the day, Assaubayeva lost speed – she drew with Divya and allowed Goryachkina to save a significantly worse position.

About the event:

The World Rapid and Blitz is one of the most exciting and most watched chess events in the world, attracting the strongest Grandmasters.

The prize fund totals one million US dollars, with $700,000 for the Open and $300,000 for the Women’s tournaments.

The event is taking place from December 25 to December 30, at the Samarkand Congress Center

World #1 Magnus Carlsen has again made history by defending his title in the World Rapid. This is the fifth Rapid title for Carlsen, who also holds five world championship titles in Classical chess and six world titles in Blitz chess. Anastasia Bodnaruk has become the new Women’s World Rapid Champion

With 10 points out of 13 games (with seven wins, six draws and no defeats), Magnus Carlsen emerged on top in a fierce competition of 150 strong players. His outstanding performance earned him not just the championship title but also the first prize of $60,000.

From the tournament’s outset, Carlsen established his position as a frontrunner. By round ten, he emerged as the sole leader, maintaining a half-point advantage over all competitors. He ultimately claimed the title with a draw in the final round, facing off against R Praggnanandhaa, one of India’s highly regarded talents.

“It feels great. I thought the key moment was the first game [today] against Fedoseev… he was the only one who could catch me.

“Sometimes I was playing my games a little bit too safe, but I don’t think I was really in trouble [in this tournament]”.

Asked if he sometimes feels as living the movie Groundhog Day, given the number of times he has won world championships in various categories, Carlsen replied – “I’m happy with that comparison… Hopefully, it will be Groundhog Day next time as well”.

Carlsen named Vladimir Fedoseev, whom he defeated in round ten while playing with the black pieces, as his most formidable opponent in the championship.

Vladimir Fedoseev – who was trailing the Norwegian by half a point and had a chance in the final round to catch up – decided not to risk it and had a quick draw with Dmitry Andreikin. This tactical decision made things easier for Carlsen as it meant he just needed half a point to win the crown

Anastasia Bodnaruk is the new Women’s Rapid Champion

This is the first rapid title for Bodnaruk, who defeated India’s Humpy Koneru by 2.5:1.5 in a tiebreaker match to secure first place and a prize of $40,000.

“It’s hard to say how I’m feeling, but I’m very happy to have won this match,” Bodnaruk said in her immediate reaction.

Bodnaruk started dominating the event on the second day when she emerged as the sole leader. On day three, she continued to maintain her lead, but with three draws in the final three rounds, she allowed two more players to share the top with her.

With 8.5/11 Anastasia Bodnaruk, Lei Tingjie and Humpy Koneru (who was the winner of the 2019 Women’s World Rapid) were sharing 1st to third place.

Thanks to better tiebreaks, Bodnaruk and Koneru went to the playoffs while Lei Tingjie finished third.

In the Blitz tiebreak (with three minutes and a two-second bonification per move), Bodnaruk and Koneru had a fierce battle.

The Indian player emerged victorious in the first game, winning as Black. She then lost the second game in the match after spoiling a much better position. According to regulations, if the two-game match is drawn, a single game shall be played with a time control of three minutes for each player and two seconds increment per move. If that game also ends in a draw, the players will continue to play, switching colours in each game, until one side wins.

The third game ended in a dramatic draw. After a 10-minute break, it was time for the fourth and final game: Koneru had a solid position but ended in time trouble. In a rush, she misplayed her moves and ended up losing – handing over the victory to Anastasia Bodnaruk.

Next in line is the World Blitz Championship which will take place on December 29 and December 30, at the same venue. Magnus Carlsen is defending the title in the Blitz, while Bibisara Assaubayeva is defending her title in the Women’s tournament.

The first round of the Blitz Championships starts tomorrow, Friday, at 3PM local time in Samarkand.

About the event:

The World Rapid and Blitz is one of the most exciting and most watched chess events in the world, attracting the strongest Grandmasters.

The prize fund totals one million US dollars, with $700,000 for the Open and $300,000 for the Women’s tournaments.

The event is taking place from December 25 to December 30, at the Samarkand Congress Center.

Set against the backdrop of the historical city where some of the world’s oldest chess pieces were discovered, the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships were opened in Samarkand in a grand ceremony.

Gathered in the architectural marvel of the Silk Road Samarkand hotel complex, the world’s chess elite geared up for the highly anticipated World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, which will take place from December 26th to December 30th in the historically rich city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The opening ceremony, held today at the Conference hall of the hotel “Silk Road by Minyoun, unveiled a spectacular convergence of art, culture, and history. The hour-long event commemorated the history of chess, the significance of the World Rapid and Blitz competitions, Uzbekistan’s rising prominence in the chess world, and the rich heritage of Samarkand.

The ceremony started with a video chronicling the recent history of the World Rapid and Blitz tournament and highlighting the key moments from previous events. The next part was all about the money: a group of performers dressed in black and white – resembling chess pieces – got up to the stage, carrying a chest which, as it turned out, had one million dollars in cash in it. It wasn’t clear if the money was real or face, but the high presence of security guards sparked questions from the audience.

In another part of the ceremony, attention was drawn to Uzbekistan’s ongoing Third Renaissance – representing a third wave of cultural, intellectual, and national reform the nation has embarked on. It was revealed that a part of that project involves chess and that the government is channelling resources into educational initiatives and state-of-the-art facilities. A testament to this commitment is the establishment of one of the world’s most expansive chess centers dedicated to learning. In the press conference earlier in the day, Magnus Carlsen underscored this by saying that when asked in Kazakhstan last year what the best way to develop chess is, he responded, “I just said, look at what Uzbekistan is doing”.

Mr. Adkham Ikramov, Minister of Youth Policy and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan, conveyed his excitement, stating, “Uzbekistan is very pleased to be hosting such an important event in Samarkand, an ancient but modern city. The interest in the media, both from the region and abroad, is huge, and we are thankful for that. Each day for the past four months, we worked hard on this event, and we hope the next six days will be fruitful and successful”.

Arkady Dvorkovich, President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan for hosting the event and emphasized FIDE’s objective to organize more global chess events, providing enthusiasts worldwide the chance to witness their heroes in action.

“Dear friends, in the next five days, new pages of chess history will be written. Many of the world’s finest players have come together to fight for the crowns in Rapid and Blitz chess. There will be excitement and tension, happy and sad moments, but above all – sportsmanship must prevail. To the players, the organizers and everyone involved in this event – I wish you the best of luck,” said Dvorkovich.

One of the main sponsors of the event is Kaspersky, the international cybersecurity company. In a statement released ahead of the event, Sandro Cisco, Head of Global Partnerships and Sponsorships at Kaspersky, said the following: “Just as chess grandmasters carefully plan their moves, cybersecurity experts employ carefully considered strategies to stay one step ahead of their cyber adversaries. At Kaspersky, we believe that understanding these parallels provides valuable insights into the complex world of cybersecurity. In keeping with the principles of strategic thinking, adaptability, and risk management, we extend our heartfelt greetings to all participating chess players, wishing them masterful moves, impregnable defences, and resolute determination. May the championship be a showcase of brilliance and unwavering skill!”

The drawing of lots

The final part of the ceremony was reserved for the traditional drawing of the lots to determine which pieces the top seed players would play with in the Rapid and the Blitz.

It transformed into a theatrical enactment where top seed Magnus Carlsen, Ju Wenjun and Lei Tingjie took part, which ended with them being dressed in traditional Uzbek robes in the colours of the pieces they will start the tournament with!

The drawing of lots determined the following:

Rapid:

Open – Magnus Carlsen, as the top seed, starts as White

Women’s – Ju Wenjun, as the top seed, starts as White

Blitz:

Open – Magnus Carlsen, as the top seed, starts as White

Women’s – Lei Tingjie, as the top seed, starts as White

Abu Dhabi has been selected as the host city for the 47th Chess Olympiad in 2028, triumphing over Genoa with a vote of 96 to 60 during the FIDE Council meeting on December 17thThe bid to secure the rights to host the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2028, FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities 2028, and FIDE Congress 2028 was a joint effort by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the UAE Chess Federation. The proposed venue for these events is the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the largest of its kind in the Middle East.Before the vote, FIDE conducted visits to both Abu Dhabi and Genoa to inspect the proposed venues and facilities. Official meetings were held with local and government authorities in both cities and with potential organizers.

In Abu Dhabi, meetings were conducted with prominent figures, including His Excellency Aref Al Awani, the General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the President of the Asian Chess Federation, H.E. Tarim Matar Muhammad Tarim, the President of the UAE Chess Federation, and Hussein Abdullah Al-Khoury, the President of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club.FIDE’s inspection concluded that “Abu Dhabi presented a compelling bidding proposal, supported by the findings of the inspection visit on December 6th and 7th, 2023. The city boasts a robust transportation and accommodation infrastructure, a venue meeting top international standards, and experienced organizers capable of hosting world-class events not only in chess but in various other sports and spheres.”

This marks the second time that the UAE will host a chess Olympiad, following the event held in Dubai in 1986.Abu Dhabi and the UAE have recently demonstrated a strong commitment to organizing numerous chess events. In 2023 alone, the country hosted the inaugural Global Chess League, the 29th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, and the Asia Chess Amateur Championship. The city is set to host the Asian Youth Chess Championship next year.

In a groundbreaking decision aimed at promoting inclusivity and support for displaced persons, a team representing refugees will take part in the 45th Chess Olympiad set to take place in Budapest, Hungary, in 2024 The move follows a request made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to the FIDE Council, which has now been officially approved. The team of refugees will be carefully selected through a supervised process and endorsed by the UNHCR to compete in both the Open section and the Women’s section of the most prestigious team chess tournament. The selection process will be coordinated with the UNHCR and finalized on or before April 1 2024.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich noted the significance of this decision, stating, “In our complex global landscape where numerous people are left displaced and without homes, the inclusion of a refugee team in the Chess Olympiad is a testament to our commitment to support those in need. Chess has the power to offer solace and empowerment to individuals facing adversity, and this initiative shows our dedication to using chess as a tool for positive change.”

This landmark decision by FIDE comes after its inaugural participation in the Global Refugee Forum 2023, held from December 13-15 at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland. Anastasia Sorokina, Chairperson of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, and André Vögtlin, Chairman of FIDE Social Commission, represented FIDE at the event. Sorokina, who founded the Girls Chess Club in the Kakuma refugee camp, shared her experiences at the preliminary event focused on education, discussing the theme of “Protection, Gender, Sport”. She emphasized the transformative role of chess in aiding refugees to navigate life challenges and regain stability.

For years, FIDE has supported refugees, primarily through the Chess for Protection project, providing assistance to displaced communities. Implemented in partnership with various organizations, including the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the Kenya Chess Federation, and the Kakuma Chess Club, the Chess for Protection project has been operating since August 2021. This initiative consolidates and expands chess-related activities in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, now entering its third year of operation.

The inclusion of a refugee team at the Chess Olympiad signifies a milestone in promoting inclusivity and leveraging chess as a tool for empowerment and support. FIDE remains committed to advancing such initiatives that harness the potential of chess to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the displaced worldwide.