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As every year, at this year’s “Vardaris” we continue a tradition that is particularly meaningful to us: the twinning with a chess club.
It is a meeting of people who love chess, share common values, and see the game not only as a competitive activity, but also as a means of culture, education, and communication.
This year, we have the pleasure of twinning with the Associazione Dilettantistica Scacchistica Vigevanese (ADSV), a highly active and respected club from Vigevano, Italy. It is a beautiful historic city that we will have the opportunity to visit from May 30 to June 2, on the occasion of the international tournament they organize — an event whose philosophy and character is very close to our own: love for chess, an open spirit, and outstanding hospitality.
All participants of the Vardaris Tournament are invited to take part in the Vigevano event, making it an excellent opportunity for a unique chess journey that combines competition, experience, and interaction with players from many different countries.
Through this newsletter, we would like to personally and warmly thank Gianluca Melino for his essential support, his excellent cooperation, and the generous assistance he has offered from the very beginning. His contribution has been instrumental in turning this twinning into reality.
Below, you will find a few words, as presented by them, about ADSV and its philosophy — words that clearly show why this partnership is not merely formal, but truly meaningful.
Excellence, Innovation, and Community in the Heart of Vigevano
Who We Are
Based in the historic city of Vigevano, the Associazione Dilettantistica Scacchistica Vigevanese is a premier organization dedicated to the diffusion and development of chess culture. Located in the modern UGART Multifunctional Center (Via Pisani 1), our headquarters serves as a vibrant hub for players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to titled professionals.
Our Mission & Philosophy
We believe chess is more than a game; it is a tool for educational, social, and cultural growth. Our philosophy rests on distinct pillars:
- Youth Development: We invest heavily in the next generation, offering free participation in our major international youth tournaments to break down economic barriers and foster talent.
- Innovation: We pioneer unique formats, such as the International Chessboxing Show and events featuring world-famous streamers, blending tradition with modern entertainment.
- Community & Charity: Through initiatives like Chess4Charity, organized in partnership with Lions and Rotary Clubs, we combine high-level chess with gastronomy to raise funds for local causes.
The Academy
Education is at the core of our strategy. The Vigevano Chess Academy offers structured courses for basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. Our faculty features distinguished instructors, including GM Alessio Valsecchi, IM Alejo De Dovitiis, and WIM Tea Gueci, providing members with top-tier tactical and strategic training. The success of our academy is reflected in our youth teams' excellent results at regional and national championships.
Signature Events
ADSV is renowned for organizing high-quality FIDE-rated tournaments that attract players from over 14 federations. Our flagship events include:
- Vigevano per gli Scacchi: An annual international festival held in the prestigious setting of the Sforzesco Castle. It features the Città di Vigevano International Tournaments (U20 and Over 20), live streaming coverage, and cultural conferences.
- Vijgev Aan Zee: A highly appreciated monthly tournament series featuring a "Round Robin" format that ensures balanced and competitive matchups for all participants.
- Gironi Infernali: A rapid, intense one-day tournament format designed to maximize competitive experience.
Join Us
Whether you are a competitive player aiming for FIDE ratings or an enthusiast looking for social play, ADSV welcomes you.
- Opening Hours: Tuesday (Lessons), Thursday (Evening Free Play 21:30-24:00), and Saturday (Academy & Free Play).
- Membership: We offer various membership tiers, from "Frequentatore" (social play) to "Agonistica" (full competitive access).
Contact Information
- Address: Via Pisani 1, 27029 Vigevano (PV)
- Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Website: www.vigevanoscacchi.com
Preparations for the Vardaris International Chess Tournament are being completed and we are entering the final stretch!
We are delighted to announce that Adriana Palao will be joining us for the live broadcast and event coverage!
Adriana Palao is a Peruvian chess player holding the FIDE Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title, an internationally recognized streamer and content creator and an active advocate for the presence of women in chess.
She runs her own online academy, ChessAP (www.adrianapalaochess.com) and works as a trainer and communication consultant, with academic studies in Film and Digital Media.
She has served as Head of Content at Chess24 and has collaborated with leading international organizations and platforms such as the Champions Chess Tour, PlayMagnus, and Chessable.
Competitively, 2025 has been an outstanding year for her:
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She won the Women’s Prize in Sligo (January),
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became overall champion at the Open de Villa de Zahara in Spain (April),
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and secured 1st place at the Open de Valdepeñas (July).
At the same time, she was the official broadcaster of “Vigevano for Chess 2025”, appearing on Italian national television via RAI Play (#CiaoPaparazzi), where she handled the full digital and television coverage of the event.
Adriana will take on live commentary, interviews, and many more activities throughout the tournament.
We can’t wait to welcome you, Adriana!
As the new year approaches, we would like to send you our warmest wishes. Vardaris is not just a tournament... It is a meeting of people, ideas, chess games and moments that remain within us. 2026 is coming closer and preparations for the 9th International Vardaris Chess Tournament are continuous. Our rendezvous is for 19 to 23 February 2026 in Thessaloniki. For one more year, our goal is to create an environment for high quality competition, with excellent facilities and conditions for the chess players and their companions and the well-known hospitality that characterizes the Vardaris tournament.
Early booking offers at Holiday Inn
Participants are free to choose where to stay. The tournament will be hosted once again at the refurbished 5★ Holiday Inn.
For those who wish to stay in the hotel where the games will take place, there is a reduction of 10% to the already special prices that we have ensured, for reservations made before 15 January 2026 (Early Booking).
You can see the special prices on our website here.
(The number of rooms is limited and reservations are made directly to the Hotel).
A single word for Vardaris
You may remember an older video called ‘A single word for Vardaris’ from the 6th Vardaris Torunament, in which children who took part in the tournament tried to describe it using only one word.
This is our favourite! Do you agree?
Subscribe to our youtube channel and watch all our memories here!
We're looking forward to seeing you!
The Vardaris wind has started blowing! Preparations for the 9th International Vardaris Tournament, which will take place from 19-23 February 2026, have started very early this year. Our aim as always is to surpass your expectations!
Vardaris is an official member of the ECC!
It is a great success for SACH Chess Club to become a member of the ECC (European Chess Club).
One club from each country participates in the ECC. (SACH will represent Greece.) This is a very promising project which all the participants are looking forward to impatiently. The main aim is to connect chess players from the whole of Europe.
This is a beginning which aims to unite chess clubs, through exchanges between players, organisers, and referees with the basic goal of becoming an all-European reservoir for the exchange of ideas, technical knowledge and events.
Soon we will have a lot more to say about the ECC. What we can announce at the moment is that there are 6 large International Tournaments in the initial line-up.
1. Thessaloniki, Greece, Vardaris Chess Tournament (19-23 February 2026)
2. Lyon, France, Championnat International d'Echecs de Lyon Henri Rinck (11-15 April 2026)
3. Vigevano, Italy, International Open "Citta' di Vigevano" (30 May -2 June 2026)
4. Maia, Portugal, Maia Chess Open (20 - 29 August 2026)
5. Berlin, Germany Berlin Bear Tournament (date to be announced)
6. Valencia, Spain, Open de Navidad - (26-31 December 2026)
Memories from the 8th Vardaris!
Theofilos Kalaitzidis, a chess player and member of the SACH Thessaloniki Chess Club, has produced a beautiful video which reproduces in the best way the experiences we shared during the 8th Vardaris Tournament.
Every year we try to create memories. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words: just imagine the video which is made up of thousands of pictures!
Everything as it was, everything better
Once again this year’s event will be hosted by the renovated 5-star Holiday Inn Hotel, which as every year offers special prices to those who wish to stay in the hotel which is the tournament venue.
Naturally you are free to choose where to stay and can decide which is the most suitable accommodation for you!
Viber Team
Join the Viber Team and you will be informed about anything important you need to know!
A further application of the Viber Team is the attempt to reduce the ecological footprint of the participants.
Anyone who wants to travel from, for example, Athens to Thessaloniki and is searching for transport or who has space in their car, sends a pm, we upload it to the Viber list of interested persons and those who wish to can communicate with each other!
Join the Viber Vardaris Team here!
Vardaris Online
On our website, in the bottom right corner you will find all the contact information!
Economical accommodation proposals, how to get here, questions about entering the tournament and everything else you might need!
We're looking forward to seeing you!
Entries so far on Chess-Results here