Σκακιστικά νέα

n a strategic move to secure his spot in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, world number-two chess Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura participated in the 2025 Louisiana State Championship in New Orleans, a relatively small tournament with a $3,000 prize fund, where he scored a perfect 7/7 against opponents rated significantly lower, including FM Nicholas Matta (2344).

The 70th Iowa Open Chess Championship is an annual tournament organized by the Iowa State Chess Association (IASCA), a non-profit dedicated to promoting chess in Iowa. It serves as the state’s premier open chess event and is both USCF and FIDE rated, attracting players of various skill levels. This year’s edition is notable for the participation of GM Hikaru Nakamura in his quest for Candidates 2026.

In a strategic move to secure his spot in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, world number-two chess Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura participated in the 2025 Louisiana State Championship in New Orleans, a relatively small tournament with a $3,000 prize fund, where he scored a perfect 7/7 against opponents rated significantly lower, including FM Nicholas Matta (2344).

The 30th Festival Internazionale “Grand Hotel Adriatico” takes place from September 7 to September 14, 2025, in the scenic seaside town of Montesilvano, Italy. This prestigious 9-round Swiss tournament, organized by A.S.D. Circolo Scacchi R. Fischer Chieti, and is part of The Chess Calendar and the European Chess Calendar.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are set to face each other in the 2025 US Open men’s singles final, marking the third consecutive Grand Slam final between the two. Alcaraz advanced to the final by defeating Novak Djokovic in straight sets, 6–4, 7–6(4), 6–2, in the semifinals. Sinner secured his spot in the final with a 6–1, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Today FIDE announced a change in what is considered a classic time control. A “Fast Classic” time control has been introduced by FIDE as a pilot project. FIDE Council has approved of rating the games played with 45min+30sec inc for standard ratings. The time control is very similar to the Top Chess Engine Championship time controls in lower divisions and a little slower than the TCEC Swiss. Read the full FIDE press release here

A “Fast Classic” time control has been introduced by FIDE as a pilot project. FIDE Council has approved of rating the games played with 45min+30sec inc for standard ratings. The time control is very similar to the Top Chess Engine Championship time controls in lower divisions and a little slower than the TCEC Swiss.

FIDE Press release about Fast Classic

The FIDE Council has approved a pilot project introducing tournaments with shorter time controls that will count toward the standard rating list.

GM Amir Bagheri and WIM Marija Zvereva are Monaco Rapid Chess Champions 2025. The event took place on 4th of September, with the participation of 24 players who competed over 9-swiss rounds for a prize pool of 7.000 euros which was donated by Evren Ucok. GM Amir Bagheri won the tournament with the score of 8/9 points, clinching the title of the Monaco Rapid Chess Champion 2025, and finishing ahead of GM David Marciano who clinched silver with 7.5 points, and GM Igor Efimov who won bronze with 7 points.

The Maipu Chess Open 2025 will take place from September 05 to September 07 in Mendoza, Argentina. It is a 7-round Swiss system tournament with time control of 60 min + 30 sec/move. For more events from Argentina, check out The South American Chess Calendar, which is part of The Chess Calendar.

The 58th Iranian Men Final Chess Championship will take place from September 05 to September 10 in Urmia, Iran. It is a 10-player round-robin tournament with time control of 90 min + 30 sec/move. For more events from Iran, check out The Asian Chess Calendar, which is part of The Chess Calendar.