The FIDE's 100th anniversary and Women’s Chess Grand Prix recently took place at the Biltmore Tbilisi Hotel. This inaugural event features a strong lineup, including two former Women's World Champions - Alexandra Kosteniuk, winner of the Munich leg in the 2022/23 series, and Mariya Muzychuk - alongside some of the most promising players in the chess world today.
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Georgia became the epicentre of the chess world as elite women Grandmasters embark on an intense competition that will extend into the coming year.
The tournament features a ten-player round-robin, including two former Women's World Champions — Alexandra Kosteniuk, winner of the Munich leg in the 2022/23 series, and Mariya Muzychuk.
"We are delighted that this event will start in Georgia, given the country's rich chess legacy", said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.
"FIDE has made women's chess one of its priorities, and the updated Women's Grand Prix series is an opportunity to further raise awareness of women’s chess, hopefully getting more female players and more sponsors involved".
Georgia's most revered chess figure, Nona Gaprindashvili, delighted the audience by playing a friendly chess match with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. In a twist, midway through the game, they stepped away from the board, inviting another pair of players - Anna Muzychuk and Alina Kashlinskaya - to continue the match.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary
The FIDE 100 Torch Relay, commemorating the centenary of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), arrived in the Georgian capital, marking a significant milestone in the year-long global celebrations.
The venue for the FIDE 100 ceremony, the Congress Hall of the Biltmore Hotel, holds deep historical significance. This Tbilisi landmark, which once housed sessions of the Georgian Parliament, is symbolic of the country's history. It was here that the 1991 Act of Restoration of State Independence and the 1995 Constitution of Georgia were signed.
"It is my pleasure and honour to be here for the first stage of the Women's Grand Prix. I am delighted to celebrate FIDE's 100th anniversary. The torch has travelled to many countries, including Canada just a few days ago, and now it has arrived in Tbilisi. I would like to thank the Georgian authorities and the Georgian Chess Federation for welcoming us. Georgia has consistently hosted top-level events, and we are grateful for that. I am sure we will return here again," said Arkady.
The Congress Hall of Biltmore Tbilisi Hotel holds a significant history and role in Georgian and chess history. It also hosted the finals of the 2017 FIDE World Cup between Levon Aronian and Ding Liren.
The Tbilisi celebration is one of many global events marking FIDE's 100th anniversary, reflecting the enduring legacy of chess and its continued relevance on the world stage.
