20/07/2026
19th Paleochora International Chess Tournament
18 – 25 July 2026
The 19th Paleochora International Chess Tournament is now in full swing!
The ever-hospitable town of Paleochora, south of Chania, welcomed a large number of visitors on Saturday, July 18, as part of the established chess tournament being held for the 19th consecutive year by the Chess Academy of Chania – SAMARIA in collaboration with the Region of Chania and the Municipality of Kantanos – Selinos. To be precise, 368 chess players of all ages from 28 countries and 54 title holders, 14 of whom hold the highest title in chess, that of grand master (GM), have been fighting for three rounds, divided into two groups according to their chess level!
During the opening ceremony, the participants were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor Mr. Kalogridis Stelios, the president of the Chania Chess Academy – SAMARIA Mr. Volanis Giorgos and the president of the A.P.O. “Mikis Theodorakis” Ms. Tzagaraki Kassiani, while the opening ceremony was given by the chief arbiter Mr. Keramiotis Michalis and the assistant chief arbiter Mr. Kostouros Alexandros.
In the first group, seven players are leading the race having achieved the absolute best so far: three victories in three matches: FM Suder Jakub (Poland), GM Baklan Vladimir (Ukraine) – 2-time men’s champion of Ukraine, GM Khotenashvili Bella (Georgia) – 2-time women’s champion of Georgia, IM Gaal Zsoka (Hungary), IM Badelka Olga (Austria), FM Katsanis Vasilios (Greece) and FM Giannoulakis Lambros (Greece)!
In the second group, 12 players are tied at the top, namely: Tobor Mick (Germany), Grigoryan Mark (Armenia), Di Muccio Lindoro (Italy), Talaverou Vasiliki Victoria (Greece), Alexandrakis Vasileios (Greece), Giakoustidis Spyros-Avgerinos (Greece), Spyropoulos Tsouderos Achilleas (Greece), Tavakalyan Ani (Armenia), Giannopoulos Panagiotis (Greece), Gavaletakis Marios (Greece), Stepanyan Rafael M. (Armenia) and Potamitis Rafael (Greece)!
In both groups, the battles for the top spot are expected to be exciting, as we are heading halfway through the championship!
The tournament venues are open to the public! We are waiting for you Monday to Friday from 18:00 and Saturday from 10:00!
Sponsors and supporters of the tournament are: ETANAP-SAMARIA which continuously supports all the club's competitive activities and: Neapolis University Pafos, National Shipping agency, Fourogatos, Hondos Center, ANAKEM, Εar Plus, Everest, Chania Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Parking Apollon, Eyemazing, Mobiak, Indigo Mare, Geraniotis Hotel & Resort, Chalkiadakis, Cretan Rhizotomists, Monk, Simple City, Kastrinakis – Marmaritsakis, KYRIAKAKIS TRAVEL, ANAKEM – Panhellenic Recycling System AEKKK, Nook Studio, Insurance beat Tzatzanis Nikolaos.
Special thanks to the local businesses and associations of Paleochora that have supported the tournament for so many years: Vakakis Family, Anatoli Bakery, Paleochora Rental Rooms Association, Paleochora Catering Association, Paleochora Commercial Association, PETRAKIS – Super Market, Moksha Yoga Palaiochora, Technical Office - Athousakis Konstantinos.
