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Victoria Sports Club open rapid chess tournament on April 27

Season 2 of the Victoria Sports Club open rapid chess tournament reels off on April 27 at the Victoria Sports (VS) Tower 2, 799 EDSA South Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines.

The champion will earn P10,000 plus trophy, accommodation at VS hotel and one month premiere membership.
The second placer will get P3,000 plus trophy, accommodation at VS hotel and one month premiere membership, while the third placer will receive P2,500 plus trophy, accommodation at VS hotel and one month premiere membership.
Fourth to 10th placers will go home P500 each plus medals and one month premiere membership.
Special awards will receive P500 each plus trophies medals for the top junior (13-18 years old), top kiddie (12 below), top senior (55 years old above), top victoria sports member, top victoria employee, top victoria sports affiliates, top PWD, top non-master and top lady.
Registration fee at P500 until April 24, while P700 if you sign up on April 25-26. All participants will receive a water spa gift certificate.
“Victoria Sports Club is extending the registration period for our Rapid Chess Tournament. The tournament will be moved to April 27, 2025, to accommodate more players to join this competition. Seize this opportunity to compete, sharpen your strategy, and demonstrate your skills.Sign up today and secure your spot in this exciting competition. We can’t wait to see you there,” said Chief Arbiter Ranier Pascual.
Call or text mobile numbers: +639544989778.-Marlon Bernardino-⁣⁣

University of Madras Wins All India Inter University Women 2025

by Shahid Ahmed – 05/04/2025

University of Madras scored an unbeaten 9/10 to win All India Inter Zonal Inter University Women Chess Tournament 2025. The defending champion, Adamas University scored 8/10 to secure second place. Their only loss of the event was against the eventual champion, University of Madras in the penultimate round by 2.5-1.5. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University scored 7/10 to be placed third. The winning team had two WGMs – Savitha Shri B and Rakshitta Ravi. They scored 2.5/3 and 4.5/5 each. WFM Rindhiya V also scored 4.5/5.

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd Adamas University 8/10, 1st University of Madras 9/10 and 3rd Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada Universty 7/10

WFM Rindhiya V and WGM Rakshitta Ravi were the top performers of University of Madras

The defending champion Adamas University secured a second place finish

Ju and Tan begin title rematch with draw

The FIDE Women’s World Championship Match 2025 began today at 15:00 local time in Shanghai, China. Ju Wenjun had the White pieces, while Tan Zhongyi, playing with black, steered the game into the Sicilian Defence. After 39 moves, with no major fireworks, the game concluded in a logical draw.

Yesterday was a packed media day featuring interviews, press conferences, and the opening ceremony – all pointing toward a fiercely competitive match ahead. The storyline is compelling: two world champions, current and former, battling for the coveted title. Adding further intrigue is the déjà vu element, as the two players faced off in 2018, when Ju was the challenger and Tan the reigning champion. Ju claimed the title in that match and has successfully defended it ever since. This time, the roles are reversed, with Tan returning as challenger for the first time against her compatriot.

The psychological backdrop is equally fascinating. In her exclusive interview with FIDE, Tan spoke with confidence, emphasizing that while she viewed herself as “lucky” to be playing the 2018 match (after winning the title in 2017 in a knockout tournament) this time she felt more assured, having earned her place by winning the Candidates. With only a six-point rating difference between them, the outcome may come down to confidence. At the start of today’s game, their body language told a subtle story. Tan appeared relaxed, sipping coffee and glancing around the room, while Ju was intensely focused, her eyes fixed solely on the board.

The ceremonial first move was made by He Fengxiang, Director of the Chess and Card Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and President of China Qiyuan, along with Xu Bin, Director of the Shanghai Municipal Sports Bureau.

At exactly 15:00 local time, the chief arbiter started the clock, and the match was officially underway. Both players raced through the early stages of the Sicilian Defence, French Variation  – a calmer line compared to typical Sicilian battles. Ju deviated from the mainline with 5.Bd3 – a less common continuation than 5.Nc3, though not unusual at the elite level. Tan, seemingly still in preparation, continued to play quickly.

However, after 9.Bg5, the challenger paused for over five minutes, suggesting she was now out of preparation. In the post-game press conference, she acknowledged the psychological impact of that move and responded accurately with 9…h6. A few moves later, Ju took her time for the first time in the game, indicating that both players were now navigating unfamiliar territory – something rare and refreshing at this level in today’s computer-driven era. Ju appeared slightly more comfortable out of the opening thanks to her active pieces, while Tan’s bishop on c8 remained undeveloped. On move 14, Ju spent nearly 20 minutes before simplifying the position with a trade and breaking in the center, signaling that the game was drifting toward a draw – though not without its complexities.

An interesting moment arose on move 18. Ju opted not to play 18.cxd5, which would have gained an extra pawn but allowed Black’s pin with 18…Ba6. Instead, she targeted the weak h6-pawn with 18.Qe3, prompting Tan to find the precise 18…Qg5. After the queens were exchanged, White captured on d5, leaving Black with an isolated queen’s pawn, balanced by the open nature of the position and a bishop versus knight scenario. Neither side had a tangible advantage or clear path to push for more. With this in mind, neither player was willing to take significant risks.

With the engine bar showing complete equality, the game eventually ended in a draw. While we didn’t witness any fireworks today, the game suggested that we won’t be seeing quick, uneventful draws either. Will the players adopt a more aggressive approach as the match progresses? Or will caution prevail, potentially leading to tiebreaks? It’s too early to tell, and only time will reveal the course of this tightly contested match.

The second game of the match will take place on Friday, April 4t, at 3 PM local time in Shanghai, with Tan Zhongyi playing White.

FACT SHEET, Game 1, FIDE Women’s World Championship 2025:

White: Ju Wenjun
Black: Tan Zhongyi
Result: ½-½
Opening: Sicilian Defence, French variation
Game length: 39 moves
Match score: ½-½

Follow FIDE’s social media channels for updates, tune into YouTube for live commentary and coverage, and visit the official match website for more information.

Written by Charlize Van Zyl

Photos: Anna Shtourman

Official website: womenworldchampionship2025.fide.com/

About the Match

The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship match between Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi follows a 12-game format. The first player to score 6.5 points will be declared the winner.

The time control for each game is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.

If the match is tied at 6-6 after all 12 games, a tiebreak will determine the champion. The tiebreak procedure involves a series of rapid and, if necessary, blitz games to ensure a decisive outcome.

From Déjà vu in Shanghai: Ju and Tan begin title rematch with balanced battle – International Chess Federation

12th Indian National Amateur Chess Championships 2025

West Bengal dominates the field, Vedant Ghadge scores a perfect 9/9

by Shahid Ahmed – 02/04/2025

The twelfth edition of National Amateur Chess Championships 2025 witnessed a total participation of 450 players from various states, union territories and units across India. Six new champions were crowned in six different rating categories. They are: Vedant Ghadge (MAH) – Below 1700 Open, Aayusree Sarkar (WB) – Below 1700 Women, Archisman Patra (WB) – Below 2000 Open, Marium Fatima (BIH) – Below 2000 Women, Utkrisht Tuli (PUN) – Below 2300 Open and WFM Bristy Mukherjee (WB) in Below 2300 Women. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹300000. It was organized by All Bihar Chess Association at Sambodhi Retreat in Bodhgaya, Bihar from 25th to 29th March 2025. Photo: All India Chess Federation

This was the first National title for all six champions. West Bengal dominated the field by winning three out of the six Gold medals. The remaining three Gold medals went to Bihar, Maharashtra and Punjab. In total, West Bengal won five medals – three Gold, a Silver and a Bronze each.

Champions of 12th National Amateur Chess Championships 2025 | Photo: All India Chess Federation

West Bengal won three Golds, a Silver and Bronze each, in total winning five medals, the highest among all States and units

Below 1700 Open

20-year-old Vedant Ghadge (MAH) scored a perfect 9/9 to clinch the Below 1700 Open championship. He finished a staggering 1.5 points ahead of the competition. This is his first rating tournament triumph of his career. Anshu Kr Pathak (UP) and Ganesan Bala (KER) scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund for the Below 1700 category was ₹80000. Top three prizes were ₹12000, ₹9000 and ₹7000 along with a trophy each respectively.

Champion in Below 1700 Open – Vedant Ghadge (MAH) 9/9 | Photo: Maharashtra Chess Association

Vedant Ghadge (MAH) scored a perfect 9/9, finished a staggering 1.5 points ahead of the rest and gained 68.4 Elo rating points

A total of 224 players participated in the Below 1700 Open section.

Final standings

Rk. SNo Name sex FED Rtg Club/City Pts.  TB1  TB2  TB3  TB4  TB5 K rtg+/-
1 10
Gadge, Vedant IND 1667 Maharashtra 9 49,5 54,5 54,50 0 9 20 68,6
2 46
AGM Pathak, Anshu Kr IND 1585 Uttar Pradesh 7,5 50 53 43,00 0 7 20 60,2
3 14
Bala, Ganesan IND 1656 Kerala 7,5 45,5 49,5 40,50 0 7 20 35
4 15
AFM Jayesh Mishra, IND 1654 Bihar 7 50 54 39,75 0 6 40 46
5 30
Vamsi Krishna R, IND 1620 Andhra Pradesh 7 49 53 39,25 0 6 20 38
6 8
Aatman Raval, IND 1667 Gujarat 7 48 52,5 39,75 0 5 40 57,6
7 16
Prashant Kumar Singh, IND 1651 Bihar 7 48 52,5 38,00 0 7 20 29,8
8 191
Mukesh Kumar Tarwe, IND 0 Bihar 7 46 50 37,75 0 6
9 12
Ripudaman Singh Brar, IND 1664 Punjab 7 45,5 49,5 37,00 0 6 40 44,4
10 11
Aole, Sangharsh IND 1664 Maharashtra 7 45,5 49,5 36,00 0 7 20 27,4

Details

Below 1700 Women

Aayusree Sarkar (WB), Disha U A (KAR), Kashvy Sabharwal (HAR) and Hunsika M (PUD) scored 7/9 each at 12th National Amateur Chess Championship Below 1700 for Women. The top seed Aayusree became champion on tie-breaks, the remaining three were placed second to fourth respectively. This is Aayusree’s first rating tournament triumph of her career. After starting with a hat-trick of wins, 12-year-old Aayushree lost the fourth round game against the eventual second runner-up, Kashvy. However, she scored 4 points in the next five games, drew with the eventual runner-up, Disha in the final round, to become the champion. The total prize fund for the Below 1700 category was ₹80000. Top three prizes were ₹8000, ₹6000 and ₹5000 along with a trophy each respectively.

Champion in Below 1700 Women – Aayusree Sarkar (WB) 7/9 | Photo: Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha

Aayusree Sarkar scored 7/9, won the tournament on tie-breaks and increased her Elo rating by 42.8 points

A total of 64 players participated in the Below 1700 Women section.

Final standings

Rk. SNo Name sex FED Rtg Club/City Pts.  TB1  TB2  TB3  TB4  TB5
1 1
Aayusree Sarkar, w IND 1677 West Bengal 7 51 55,5 41,75 0 6
2 3
Disha U A, w IND 1643 Karnataka 7 49 53 40,00 0 5
3 4
Kashvy Sabharwal, w IND 1640 Haryana 7 49 51 38,25 0 5
4 16
Hunsika M, w IND 1520 Puducherry 7 43,5 46 32,00 0 7
5 5
ACM Maya Ameen, w IND 1635 Karnataka 6,5 46,5 47,5 31,75 0 5
6 9
Silarapu, Devi Dedipyasri w IND 1587 Andhra Pradesh 6,5 46 50,5 35,00 0 5

Details

Below 2000 Open

14-year-old Archisman Patra (WB) and Rohit Gurung (SIK) scored 7.5/9 each in the Below 2000 Open category. Archisman. Archisman became champion due to better tie-breaks, Rohit had to settle for the second place. They finished a full point ahead of the rest. Six players scored 6.5/9. Out of them, Pradeep Tiwari (DASCB) was adjudged third. This is his first rating tournament victory. Archisman defeated the eventual runner-up, Rohit in the sixth round and drew with the second runner-up, Pradeep in Round 7. The total prize fund for the Below 2000 category was ₹100000. Top three prizes were ₹16000, ₹14000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each respectively.

Champion in Below 2000 Open – Archisman Patra (WB) 7.5/9 | Photo: All Bihar Chess Association

Archisman Patra scored an unbeaten 7.5/9, won the tournament on tie-breaks and gained 135.6 Elo rating points

A total of 71 players participated in the Below 2000 Open section.

Final standings in Open

Rk. SNo Name sex FED Rtg Club/City Pts.  TB1  TB2  TB3  TB4
1 33
Archisman Patra, IND 1791 West Bengal 7,5 46,5 49 40,00 0
2 6
Gurung, Rohit IND 1902 Sikkim 7,5 45,5 50 40,00 0
3 1
Pradeep, Tiwari IND 1979 DASCB 6,5 48 52 37,50 0
4 23
Ayushman Mohanty, IND 1827 Odisha 6,5 46,5 50,5 33,25 1
5 22
Aman Balana, IND 1827 Rajasthan 6,5 46,5 50,5 33,25 2
6 39
Vikash Nishad, IND 1752 Uttar Pradesh 6,5 43 47 33,25 0
7 18
Piyush Kumar, IND 1836 Bihar 6,5 41 45 32,25 0
8 7
Chavan, Nameet IND 1887 Maharashtra 6,5 38,5 41,5 29,25 0
9 4
Ashutosh Kumar, IND 1923 Bihar 6 42 46 28,00 0
10 21
Srikanth, K. IND 1831 SSCB 6 42 45,5 27,50 0

Details

Below 2000 Women

The reigning Bihar State Junior Girls 2024 champion, Marium Fatima scored 6.5/9 to become the champion in Below 2000 Women. She finished a full point ahead of the competition. Suravi Bhattacharya (WB) and Diya Chowdhury (WB) scored 5.5/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund for the Below 2000 category was ₹100000. The top three prizes were ₹10000, ₹6000 and ₹5000 along with a trophy each respectively.

Champion in Below 2000 Women – Marium Fatima (BIH) 6.5/9 | Photo: All Bihar Chess Association

Marium Fatima scored 6.5/9, finished a full point ahead of the players in her category and gained 29.4 Elo rating points

A combined total of 33 players participated in the Below 2000 and 2300 Women section.

Final standings

2 5
Marium, Fatima w IND 1881 Bihar 6,5 48 51,5 34,75 0 6 20 29,4
8 20
Suravi Bhattacharya, w IND 1718 West Bengal 5,5 42,5 46,5 26,50 0 4 40 88
9 3
Diya Chowdhury, w IND 1939 West Bengal 5,5 39,5 43 25,00 0 4 20 -22,6

Details

Below 2300 Open

The reigning Jalandhar District Under-15 and Under-19 Open 2024, Punjab State Under-15 Open, State Senior 2024 and State Rapid 2025 champion, Utkrisht Tuli scored an unbeaten 7/9 to become the champion in Below 2300 Open. Kartavya Anadkat (GUJ), Ayaan Garg (CHAN) and Sham R (TN) scored 7/9 each. They were placed second to fourth according to tie-breaks. Only Utkrisht and Ayaan remained undefeated among them. The 15-year-old champion, drew with the eventual runner-up, Kartavya in the final round and defeated the second runner-up, Ayaan in Round 7. The total prize fund for the Below 2300 category was ₹120000. Top three prizes were ₹20000, ₹17000 and ₹14000 along with a trophy each respectively.

Utkrisht Tuli scored an unbeaten 7/9, won the tournament on tie-breaks and gained 40.4 Elo rating points

A total of 58 players participated in the Below 2300 Open section.

Final standings

Rk. SNo Name sex FED Rtg Club/City Pts.  TB1  TB2  TB3  TB4  TB5 K rtg+/-
1 4
Utkrisht Tuli, IND 2020 Punjab 7 49,5 53 40,00 0 5 40 41,2
2 1
Anadkat, Kartavya IND 2175 Gujarat 7 45 49 36,50 0 6 20 -5,8
3 7
Ayaan Garg, IND 1983 Chandigarh 7 45 48,5 35,50 0 5 40 50
4 2
Sham R, IND 2128 Tamil Nadu 7 41 44,5 33,00 0 7 20 -2
5 33
Manav Kumar, IND 1777 Rajasthan 6,5 43,5 46,5 31,25 0 5 40 116
6 3
Daksh Goyal, IND 2079 Delhi 6,5 40,5 44 29,75 0 6 40 -28,4
7 8
Mrityunjay Kumar, IND 1976 Bihar 6,5 37 40,5 30,25 0 6 20 -2,8
8 5
CM Reyan, Md. IND 2005 Bihar 6 42,5 46,5 30,00 0 6 40 -18,8
9 51
AFM Shahan Vohra, IND 1649 Haryana 6 40,5 44,5 27,00 0 5 40 159,6
10 23
Vidit Sethi, IND 1832 Uttar Pradesh 5,5 49 51 27,00 0 5 40 63,6

Details

Below 2300 Women

The Asian Junior Girls Blitz 2024 Gold medalist, West Bengal State Women 2024 and newly crowned State Blitz 2025 champion, WFM Bristy Mukherjee scored an unbeaten 8/9 to become champion in Below 2300 Women category. She won the tournament with a round to spare and finished 1.5 points ahead of the competition. Nivedita V C (TN) and WCM Aamuktha Guntaka (AP) scored 6/9 each. They were placed second and third respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund for the Below 2300 category was ₹120000. The top three prizes were ₹10000, ₹6000 and ₹5000 along with a trophy each.

Champion in Below 2300 Women – WFM Bristy Mukherjee (WB) 8/9 | Photo: Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha

WFM Bristy Mukherjee scored an unbeaten 8/9, finished a whopping 1.5 points ahead of others and gained 30 Elo rating points

A combined total of 33 players participated in the Below 2000 and 2300 Women section.

Final standings

Rk. SNo Name sex FED Rtg Club/City Pts.  TB1  TB2  TB3  TB4  TB5 K rtg+/-
1 1
WFM Bristy Mukherjee, w IND 1985 West Bengal 8 46 50,5 44,75 0 7 20 30
2 2
ACM Nivedita, V C w IND 1950 Tamil Nadu 6 47 51,5 32,00 0 5 40 1,6
3 4
Aamuktha Guntaka, w IND 1910 Andhra Pradesh 6 47 51,5 31,75 0 5 40 15,2

Details

Group photo of various prize winners | Photo: All India Chess Federation

Vastu Vihar’s CEO – Sarthak Tiwari and the reigning National Under-13 Open champion, CM Md. Reyan made the inaugural first move | Photo: All Bihar Chess Association

The tournament hall at Sambodhi Retreat in Bodhgaya, Bihar | Photo: All Bihar Chess Association and All India Chess Federation

A total of 224 in Below 1700 Open, 64 in Below 1700 Women, 71 in Below 2000 Open, 58 in Below 2300 Open and a combined total of 33 in Below 2000 and 2300 Women took part from various states across the country. The five-day nine-round National Championship was organized by All Bihar Chess Association from 25th to 29th March 2025 at Sambodhi Retreat in Bodhgaya, Bihar. The time control for the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1.

Visit Six new champions crowned at 12th National Amateur Chess Championships 2025 – ChessBase India

Favorites Take Early Lead in Asian Zonal 3.4

On 2 April 2025, the Asian Zonal 3.4 Chess Championship – a qualifier for the World Cup – kicked off in Pavilions 7 and 8 of the Atakent Exhibition Centre in Almaty.  The Asian Zone 3.4 includes six countries from the expanded Central Asian region: Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. A total of 131 players (87 men and 44 women) are competing for seven spots in Batumi and New Delhi. Visit chess-results.com

In May 2023, when the previous qualifier took place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, only three World Cup spots were available – two for men and one for women. Those places went to Assel Serikbay and Alisher Suleymenov from Kazakhstan, and Nodirbek Yakubboev from Uzbekistan. This year in Almaty, players will vie for three spots in Batumi (Georgia), which will host the Women’s World Cup from July 5-29, and four places in New Delhi (India), where the Men’s World Cup will take place from November 1-26.

The opening ceremony featured welcoming speeches from Mukhtar Mukanov, Acting Head of the Sports Division at the Almaty Sports Department; Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director of KazChess (photo above); Husan Turdialiev (Uzbekistan), President of FIDE Zonal Council 3.4 and Chief Arbiter of the tournament; and Baglan Musin, President of Freedom Shapaghat.

Symbolic first moves were played on the first two men’s boards by Raushanbek Matchanov, Consul General of Uzbekistan in Almaty, and Zhenishbek Asankulov, Consul General of the Kyrgyz Republic in Almaty, and by Nurymyrat Rozyjumaev, Counsellor-Consul of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Kazakhstan, and Zhanibek Saurbek, entrepreneur and Chairman of KazChess for Almaty Oblast. And with that, the game began!

The first major upset occurred in the men’s category: 18-year-old FIDE Master (FM) Yerlan Tleukhanov (2143) held Uzbek Grandmaster (GM) Abdimalik Abdisalimov (2525) to a draw – from a position of strength.

The other top seeds, including GM Mukhiddin Madaminov (2536), GM Ortik Nigmatov (2501), and International Master (IM) Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov (2469) from Uzbekistan, along with IM Saparmurat Atabayev (2530) from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan’s GM Alisher Suleymenov (2478), IM Zhandos Agmanov (2470), IM Aldiyar Ansat (2469), IM Arystanbek Urazayev (2467), and GM Ramazan Zhalmakhanov (2462), all lived up to expectations and secured victories.

In the women’s section, the top-ranked players on the first seven boards – WGM Alua Nurman (2347), IM Meruert Kamalidenova (2342), WGM Xeniya Balabayeva (2285), WGM Liya Kurmangaliyeva (2249), and WIM Assel Serikbay (2235) from Kazakhstan, along with Uzbekistan’s WIM Afruza Khamdamova (2326) and WIM Umida Omonova (2263) – all won their games. However, some had to battle hard for their victories, particularly Balabayeva, whose encounter with the experienced Anel Muratova (1900) concluded close to 8:30 PM Almaty time.

Two other interesting results stood out. WCM Yasmina Alemanova (1844) and WFM Zarina Nurgaliyeva (2199), both 15 years old, faced off in the first round. Though Zarina is two months older and already knocking on the door of Kazakhstan’s senior national team as a FIDE Master, while Yasmina is just a Candidate Master, it was Zarina who had to fight for a draw and reached it by a perpetual check.

Meanwhile, in another matchup with a greater age gap, 18-year-old WFM Ayaulym Kaldarova (2179) also had to settle for a draw against WCM Deniza Kurmanalina (1837).

Standings, pairings and results

Photos: Yevgeniy Kim

Visit Asian Zonal 3.4 Championship: First round, first sensations – International Chess Federation

2nd (JCI Senate Lipa) Lipa Foundation Day Chess Festival

JCI Senate Lipa is proud and excited to welcome you back for another thrilling chess experience! Building on the fantastic success of our inaugural event, we invite the chess community to join us for the 2nd (JCI Senate Lipa) “Lipa Foundation Day Chess Festival” chess festivities, held once again in celebration of Lipa City’s Foundation Day.

Total Cash Prize: P354,000.00

Mark your calendars for an exciting weekend of strategy, skill, and sportsmanship on June 14th and 15th, 2025, at the Lipa Academy for Sports, Cultures and Arts (LASCA), located in Barangay Dagatan, Lipa City.

This year’s celebration features three distinct rapid chess tournaments/divisions:

The Open Rapid Division (June 14, 2025)
The Open Under 14 Rapid Division (June 14, 2025)
The 3v3 Open Rapid Team Division (June 15, 2025)

Prepare your best moves and join fellow enthusiasts for a memorable weekend honoring Lipa’s heritage through the timeless game of chess. We look forward to seeing intense competition and great camaraderie unfold over the boards!

Visit 2nd Lipa Foundation Day Chess Festival – JCI Senate Lipa

 

2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship opening ceremony

The official press conference and opening ceremony of the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship took place today in Shanghai, set against a prestigious backdrop befitting such a significant event.

At approximately 16:00 local time, journalists gathered in the Grand Banquet Hall on the fifth floor of the JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai, eagerly awaiting the start of the official opening press conference for the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship Match.

The press conference was divided in two segments – the first featuring officials and organizers, and the second with the players. Grandmaster Ni Hua, who recently served as Ding Liren’s second during the 2024 World Championship in Singapore, moderated the first half of the proceedings. The panel comprised Victor Bologan, FIDE Management Board Executive Director; Song Hui, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports; Du Xueyong, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Administration of Sports; Xu Yuhua, Deputy Director of the Chess Department of China Qi-yuan and General Secretary of the Chinese Chess Association; Liu Shizhen, Director of the Shanghai Board and Card Games Administrative Center; and Huang Bo, Director of the Chongqing Board and Card Games Administrative Center. Translation between Mandarin and English was provided throughout.

 Xu Yuhua presented the match details, after which Victor Bologan expressed FIDE’s gratitude to the organizers and emphasized the event’s significance, describing it as a “Celebration of Chess and China.” The floor was then opened to journalists for questions. Soon after, the stars of the event; Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi, arrived. Questions centered on how the players felt and what the match meant to them. Both appeared in excellent spirits, smiling and responding to questions with enthusiasm.

The atmosphere soon shifted to celebration as guests moved to the other side of the Grand Banquet Hall. With elegantly decorated tables filling the space, the setting perfectly reflected the grandeur of the occasion. The ceremony began with a promotional video that captured the intensity and drama of the championship about to commence. This was followed by introductions of the players and guests, and the playing of both the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China and the FIDE anthem.

Xu Bin, Director General of the Shanghai Administration of Sports, delivered a welcome address, stating: “We are delighted to host the FIDE Women’s World Championship Match once again. Ju Wenjun will defend her title as reigning champion against Tan Zhongyi, marking their second showdown in this Championship Match. I believe that this world-class event will reignite Shanghai’s passion for chess once again, and further promote the popularity and development of the sport.”

Next, He Fengxiang, President of China Qi-yuan, spoke about the prestige and legacy of chess in China: “As a brilliant crystallization of human wisdom, chess has always resonated with the development of the times since its introduction to China. From Xie Jun winning first world champion in 1991, which ushered in a new era of women chess in China, to Ding Liren’s historic breakthrough in winning the men’s champion in 2023, generation after generation have devoted unremitting efforts for 34 years to compose a magnificent chapter by presenting ‘the shining stars of the chess king and queen’ in the chess world.”

Victor Bologan then read a letter on behalf of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who was unable to attend. “The match between Tan Zhongyi and Ju Wenjun is not only a milestone for chess but also for China,” he began, highlighting the nation’s legacy in the sport: “My dear friends, this year marks 50 years since China joined FIDE. Today, China is one of the world’s great chess nations. It has produced world champions in both the open and women’s competitions, holds the record for the most Women’s World Champions (six, ahead of the USSR’s five), and boasts numerous players in the world’s top 100. With such success comes great responsibility—to promote and expand the game. FIDE and the global chess community are deeply grateful for China’s contributions and hopeful that we will see even more investment in chess, more events, and an even brighter future for the game in this country.”

Then came the eagerly awaited drawing of lots. Two bouquets were placed in front of the players, where the chief arbiter placed two silk bags in each and invited the World Champion to choose her bouquet. Ju Wenjun picked the flowers closest to her and opened her bag to reveal a white queen, determining their colors for the first game.

The evening concluded with He Fengxiang, Xu Bin, Victor Bologan, Xie Jun, Song Hui, and Du Xueyong taking the stage to press their hands on the stage screen as a symbolic gesture marking the official start of the match. With the ceremony complete, guests and players remained in the banquet hall to enjoy a dinner featuring Chinese delicacies.

The first game is scheduled to begin tomorrow, 03 April 2025, at 15:00 local time.

Follow FIDE’s social media channels for updates, tune into YouTube for live commentary and coverage, and visit the official match website for more information.

Written by Charlize Van Zyl

Photos: Anna Shtourman

Official website: womenworldchampionship2025.fide.com/

About the Match

The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship match between Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi follows a 12-game format. The first player to score 6.5 points will be declared the winner.

The time control for each game is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.

If the match is tied at 6-6 after all 12 games, a tiebreak will determine the champion. The tiebreak procedure involves a series of rapid and, if necessary, blitz games to ensure a decisive outcome.

From A grand occasion: 2025 FIDE Women’s World Championship opening ceremony – International Chess Federation

Marc Kevin Labog Wins Spring Blitz Chess Championship in Dubai

Marc Kevin Labog of the Philippines emerged victorious at the Spring Blitz Tournament held April 2, 2025 at the Chess Lab Al Quoz in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In photo, Deputy Chief Arbiter NA/FM Rustum Tolentino awards the prize to Labog.
Labog, who hails from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, scored 7.5 points out of 9 to clinch the first-place trophy plus 1,000 AED for his efforts in the 3 mins plus 2 seconds increment time control format. A total of 57 participants from 19 countries competed in the Swiss System tournament. Visit chess-results.com.
The former Adamson University chess team mainstay, Labog defeated Palaniappan Niranjjan of India in the first round, AIM Sudheer Sampreet of India in the second round, Srivastava Kavyansh of India in the fourth round, Jason Nabatlao of the Philippines in the fifth round, CM Safarullakhan Safin of India in the sixth round, GM Alexander Zubarev of Ukraine in the seventh round and IM Richilieu Salcedo III of the Philippines in the ninth and final round.
He lost to FM Sargis Manukyan of Armenia in the third round. He split the point with AGM Dandel Fernandez of the Philippines in the eight round.
Labog also finished third overall during the Spring FM Rating Tournament-Group A (Standard time control format) held March 29 to April 2, 2025.
Marc Kevin Labog, a chess prodigy from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines (left) versus IM Sergey Smolin of Ukraine. Labog defeated IM Smolin in the sixth round of the Spring FM Rating Tournament-Group A (Standard time control format) held March 29 to April 2, 2025.

Zone 3.4 Men’s and Women’s Zonals Start in Kazakhstan

The Zone 3.4 Men’s and Women’s Zonals started 1st April 2025 in Almaty, Kazakhstan with 87 men and 44 women participating from six countries, namely Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and host Kazakhstan. Visit chess-results.com

Six ranking Grandmasters, 15 International Masters and 18 FIDE Masters are competing in the men’s. Three Woman Grandmasters, one IM, five WIMs and 11 WFMs are competing in the women’s.

The top four men shall qualify into the FIDE World Cup. The top 3 women shall qualify into the Women’s World Cup.

Women’s Zonal.

Tournament Officials and Guests of Honor, from left: Counselor of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Almaty – Nury Agaevich Rozydzhumaev, Consul General of the Kyrgyz Republic in Almaty – Asankulov Zhenishbek Asankulovich, Consul General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Almaty – Matchanov Raushanbek Maratovich, Executive Director of KazChess – Gulmira Bekzatovna Dauletova, General Director of the Alatau Special Economic Zone – Zhanibek Saurbek, Chief Arbiter of the Tournament – Khusan Turdialiev, Technical Delegate – Sami Khader and President of the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan – Vepa Mialikguliyev.