By Elsa Yueh Photos by Lin Ying-Zhe
The 2025 CTCA Taiwan International Chess Open officially opened today 17 July 2025 at the Monarch Plaza Hotel in Taoyuan, drawing participants from over 16 countries, with more than 250 players and accompanying guests in attendance. The event celebrates international friendship and competitive excellence, uniting chess enthusiasts from around the world.
Apart from the blitz tournament scheduled before the rest day, this year’s event also features two special highlights: simultaneous exhibitions by Indian Grandmaster Sayantan Das, former World Youth U-12 Champion, and Hungarian Grandmaster Gergely Aczel, who traveled from Europe to take part in the tournament.
In a historic first, the tournament has reached its maximum capacity, marking a milestone with the highest number of FIDE-titled players ever to participate in a chess tournament in Taiwan. It is also the largest CTCA tournaments event to date in terms of both player and guest participation.
The CTCA tournament proudly welcomes players of all abilities, including the Philippine National Para Chess Team, underscoring the event’s commitment to inclusion and diversity in the chess community.
The tournament runs from July 16 to 23 and promises a week of exciting competition, sportsmanship, and cultural exchange.