World Chess Festival

11/06/2026

"For the first time in modern chess history, Russia has been suspended from FIDE."

Full article:

The unthinkable has happened: FIDE has been forced to act.

26/04/2026

IM Peter Large from England🇬🇧 is the winner of the WCF Durres Rapid Challenge with a dominating score of 6.5 points in 7 rounds!

It was a strong event with 54 players from 17 countries, including 1 GM, 3 IMs and 7 FMs. Final results and standings ➡️ https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1399721.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=7&SNode=S0

24/04/2026

The games of the WCF Durres Rapid Challenge have started today in Albania🇦🇱 with a strong line-up: 1 GM, 3 IMs and 7 FMs among the 54 participants from 17 countries!

Check the tournament's results and standings as happening now ➡️
https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1399721.aspx?lan=1&art=1&SNode=S0

15/04/2026

We are only ten days away from the WCF Durres Rapid Challenge 2026, on the beautiful Long Beach of Golem in Albania!

This rapid tournament will take place in the 5-star Grand Blue Fafa next Friday 24 April. It will be held in 7 rounds, Swiss system, with a time control of 10 minutes for the whole game + 5 seconds per move (rapid), including money prizes for the top 3 winners.

It is also an amazing opportunity to enjoy a full weekend afterwards right on the Adriatic Sea. Check the tournament's regulations ➡️ https://worldchessfestival.com and see you in Durres 🇦🇱 !!

19/01/2026

It turns out Richard Branson is also a chess fan!

08/12/2025

Congratulations!!!
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Malta proudly welcomed players from 20 nations as it hosted six European Amateur Championship events at the 4-star Riviera Spa Resort. The tournaments featured the U2300, U2000, and U1700 categories for both men and women.

Thirteen-year-old Matthew Portelli capped off an exceptional year with a remarkable performance, finishing second in the top U2300 category.

🟡Read:https://maltadaily.mt/sports/matthew-portelli-leads-malta-s-success-at-european-chess-amateur-championships

06/12/2025

Congratulations!!!
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06/12/2025

Congratulations Stefan, congratulations Primaria Municipiului Vaslui 🏆🇷🇴

05/12/2025

The European Chess Championships for the U-1700, U-2000 and U-2300 categories officially concluded yesterday at the Riviera Spa & Conference Resort in Malta. Participants from 20 countries battled 9 rounds for the titles and prize fund of each category, producing many exciting games!

The Champions and top medalists crowned in each category:

--> European Championship U-2300
🏆 1. Stefan-Emilian Prisacaru (Romania) 7.5 pts
🥈 2. Matthew Portelli (Malta) 7.0 pts
🥉 3. Habil Javadov (Azerbaijan) 6.5 pts

--> European Women's Championship U-2300
🏆 1. Olga Yushko (Ukraine) 4.5 pts
🥈 2. Patricie Naymanova (Bulgaria) 3.5 pts
🥉 3. Filipina Thornton (Malta) 2.0 pts

--> European Championship U-2000
🏆 1. Mher Sargsyan (Armenia) 7.0 pts
🥈 2. Mate Todashvili (Georgia) 6.5 pts
🥉 3. Anastasiia Osadchuk (Ukraine) 6.5 pts

--> European Women's Championship U-2000
🏆 1. Anastasiia Osadchuk (Ukraine) 6.5 pts
🥈 2. Alice Lampard (Scotland) 6.0 pts
🥉 3. Elena Ghitza (Malta) 5.0 pts

--> European Championship U-1700
🏆 1. Roman Kifliuk (Ukraine) 8.0 pts
🥈 2. Natalia Toczynska (Poland) 8.0 pts
🥉 3. Varvara Sigacheva (Germany) 7.0 pts

--> European Women's Championship U-1700
🏆 1. Natalia Toczynska (Poland) 8.0 pts
🥈 2. Varvara Sigacheva (Germany) 7.0 pts
🥉 3. Iraida Casadevall Mainau (Spain) 5.0 pts

The Awards Ceremony and the closing party of the event took place at the 4-star Riviera Spa & Conference Resort with the attendance of the Chairman of Sport Malta Mr Matthew Pisani, the President of Malta Chess Federation Mr. Duncan Vella, the General Manager of Riviera Spa Resort Mr Tonio Aquilina, the General Secretary of the Malta Chess Federation Mr Robert Novak, the Chief Arbiter of the event Mr Noel Grima and the International Organisers Mr George Mastrokoukos and Mr Nikos Kalesis.

The Organising Committee of the event appreciated the efforts of Riviera Spa & Conference Resort's management to host successfully this event, and especially its owner Mr Beppe Bugeja who did everything possible for the participants to enjoy top-class conditions during the event 👍

Congratulations to all the winners and medalists!

More info, games and statistics from the Championships:

♟️ Final Standings & Stats --> https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1303006.aspx?lan=1&art=1&SNode=S0
🎬 Games broadcast --> https://lichess.org/broadcast/european-amateur-chess-championships-2025/CRNppGip
🎯 Tournament website --> https://worldchessfestival.com/malta2025
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📸 Iman Azimova

04/12/2025

Everything is ready for the awards and closing party of the European Championships U2300!