The 34th NATO Chess Championship concluded on Friday, October 25th. It was hosted in Rhodes, and was much appreciated for the excellent organization as well as the warm hospitality of the organizers. Chess players from 17 NATO countries gathered on one of Greece’s most beautiful islands to compete in a series of high-level matches, highlighting the sportsmanship and camaraderie of the institution.
The Greek Armed Forces National Chess Team is, once again, at the top of the table, taking 1st place with 24 points. King Kanoutos will (remain) in Greece until 2025.
The team consisted of: IM soldier Dimitrios Alexakis, FM Captain Alexandros Papasimakopoulos, IM Constable A Anastasios Pavlidis, FM soldier Petros Rachmanidis, WIM Deputy Chief Warden Katerina Pavlidou, Lieutenant Commander Ioannis Tetepoulidis, led by flight sergeant Konstantinos Mouroutis.
Individual Ranking – Open Category
1st IM Dimitrios Alexakis (Greece)
2nd FM Alexandros Papasimakopoulos (Greece)
3rd Mateucz Tustanowski (Poland)
Team Ranking
1st Greece
2nd Germany
3rd Poland
Women’s Category
1st WIM Katerina Pavlidou (Greece)
2nd WGM Dana Reizniece – Ozola (Latvia)
3rd Diana Pazariene (Latvia)
Veterans
1st Paolo Tocco (Italy)
2nd David Tucker (England)
3rd Ard Dekker (Netherlands)
NATO mixed team Players
1st Ulrich Bohn (Germany)
2nd Marco Zauer (Germany)
3rd Paolo Tocco (Italy)
Best game:
Andrew Jeselson vs Diederick Castelejn (1-0)
The NATO Blitz Tournament, organized after the end of the 7th round,also became a tradition.
1st FM Alexandros Papasimakopoulos (Greece)
2nd IM Dimitrios Alexakis (Greece)
3rd FM Patrick Emilio Aizpurua (Panama)
NATO’s International Chess Commission (IMCC) has honored General Heinrich Steffers from the Netherlands for his continuous contribution. The General’s name is inextricably linked with Chess in NATO, which he served for 20 years, and as President of the IMCC.
The organization of the championship stood out for its professionalism and precision in every detail. The organizing committee, made up of experienced members such as Colonel Angelos Dimanoudis, Captain Spyros Andriopoulos, IO Nikos Kalesis, the curator of the “Ippotis ” Chess Club Nikos Vasilakis and IA Takis Nikolopoulos, who with their deep knowledge and love for chess, worked tirelessly to provide participants with an unforgettable experience.
From the impeccable planning of the competition program to the impeccable hospitality conditions at Rhodos Palace 5*, the committee made sure to meet every need of the athletes and ensure the smooth running of the championship.
Before the closing ceremony came to an end, commemorative gifts were given to all participating countries.
In addition, the event was supported by an excellent refereeing team, consisting of internationally recognized referees – head referee IA Takis Nikolopoulos, assistant head Constable B Spyros Dalampiras, Live IA Cleonas Ballas, Fairplay Officer IA Michalis Keramiotis, FA Spyros Karaboikis and Nikos Vassilakis and the National Referees Konstantinos Rigopoulos and Efthymis Papadopoulos – who guaranteed the proper application of the regulations and ensuring the integrity of the games. Their experience and objectivity ensured equality and respect in every match, allowing players to fully commit to their game.
The 34th NATO Chess Championship highlighted Rhodes as a dynamic destination for chess events, promoting the sport and creating new opportunities for international partnerships. It is organized by the secretariat of the ASAED (Supreme Council for Sports of the Armed Forces) and the International Military Chess Committee of NATO (IMCC) with co-organizers the Chess Club of Rhodes “IPPOTIS”, the Region of the South Aegean, the Municipality of Rhodes and the Hellenic Chess Federation (ESO).
Special thanks for their continuous support to the South Aegean Region, the Regional Governor Mr. HATZIMARKOS GIORGOS & the Deputy Regional Governor for Sports Mr. DELAPORTAS AKIS, the RODOS PALACE Hotel 5* and Mr. KAMPOURAKIS ANTONIS, XENAKIS mobility, Dodecanese Beekeeping, J@D Rent a Car, At Holidays, the Accounting Office “Papadimitriou & Associates”, Elektrodomi S.A.
There follows the game which was voted as the tournament’s best. Comments: IM Panayotis Frendzas