Daniel Dardha secures title in the main event, Alexandra Botez shines in Open B
The inaugural edition of the Sardinia World Chess Festival, organized by EmmediSport together with Unichess under the technical guidance of GM-IO Roberto Mogranzini, took place on the beautiful island of Sardinia (ITA) in Orosei at the IT Marina beach resort from April 27 to May 4.
The Open A tournament, a part of the FIDE Circuit, saw a surprising finish. Four players – Daniel Dardha (BEL), Jorden van Foreest (NED), Kirill Shevchenko (ROU), and Volodar Murzin – scored final-round victories and finished with 7/9.
In the end, GM Daniel Dardha of Belgium claimed the title thanks to superior tiebreaks.
A renowned streamer chess player with a massive global following of over 5 million fans, Alexandra Botez dominated the field in Open B with an impressive score of 8.5 out of 9 points, taking clear first place.
Adding to the international flair, Sun Hanyu of China emerged victorious in the Open C tournament, marking a triumphant debut on the global stage.
With 296 players representing over 40 nations participating, the Sardinia Chess Festival stands as a testament to its widespread appeal and position as a premier event in the chess calendar.
The festival became possible thanks to the support of the Sardegna Scacchi Committee of the Italian Chess Federation led by President Danilo Mallo and the support of the Sardinian Region Tourism Department and the Orosei Municipality.
Special thanks go to the event sponsors: It Marina Beach, Geasar Spa, Le Due Torri, Loc Srls, Smeralda Holding, and media partner ChessBaseIndia.
#FIDE100 celebration
During the event, the FIDE centenary (FIDE100) was celebrated with its motto displayed in the gaming hall. Deputy FIDE chair Dana Reizniece-Ozola visited the event, gave a heartfelt speech, and performed the first ceremonial move.
Several events were held to celebrate FIDE’s 100th anniversary, from the black-and-white dinner to the five-a-side football match between tournament participants to the 960 chess evening.