As part of FIDE’s 2025 Year of Social Chess, August was dedicated to celebrating women and girls in chess under the banner of the Women’s Chess Marathon. All month long, events across continents highlighted how chess brings people together, builds communities, and empowers individuals.
The fourth week of the Marathon was officially dedicated to Europe, with flagship celebrations in Italy and Portugal. At the same time, many federations and clubs around the world — from Kenya to Canada — joined the spirit of the initiative with their own activities, showing that the Marathon was truly a global movement.
In Portugal, the Marathon culminated in a vibrant day of competition and dialogue on August 31 in Matosinhos, organized by the Portuguese Chess Federation. The program combined the National Women’s Semi-Rapid Championship with an evening of inspiring conversation under the title Women’s Talks, creating a powerful finale to the month-long celebration.
Importantly, the event also welcomed André Vögtlin, Chair of the FIDE Social Commission, whose presence highlighted the close connection between the Women’s Chess Marathon and FIDE’s 2025 Social Chess Year.
National Women’s Semi-Rapid Championship
The championship brought together 26 players in a highly competitive field marked by balance and determination.
- 🥇 Marta Almeida, the reigning U16 national champion, claimed her first women’s semi-rapid title, prevailing on tiebreak after scoring 5 points. She now adds her name to the list of national champions, succeeding Ana Inês Silva, and will soon represent Portugal at the European Team Championship in Batumi, Georgia.
- 🥈 Sara Soares, National Master, also scored 5 points and finished second.
- 🥉 Camila Avelino completed the podium with 5 points.
Close behind were Veronika Ryabukhina and WIM Jussara Chaves with 4 points each, rounding out the top five.
This tight finish reflected the growing strength and depth of women’s chess in Portugal, offering an exciting preview of future competitions and potential of women chess players in the country.
Women’s Talks – Voices of Leadership and Change
In the evening, the focus shifted from the chessboard to the wider role of women in society with Women’s Talks, held at the historic Fábrica Vasco da Gama. The conference created a space for dialogue, reflection, and empowerment, highlighting the active role of women in sports, leadership, and community.
The distinguished panel featured:
- Susana Gonçalves – President of Chess2All and member of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess
- WIM Jussara Chaves – an iconic figure in Portuguese and international women’s chess
- Ana Inês Silva – chess master and medical doctor
- Isabel Nunes – President of GD Basquete de Leça
- Luísa Salgueiro – Mayor of Matosinhos
- André Vögtlin – Chair of the FIDE Social Commission
Moderated as a conversation rather than a lecture, the session touched on real-life stories and challenges of women in sports, healthcare, politics, and community leadership. It underlined how chess and sport more broadly can contribute to social impact, equality, and women’s empowerment.
Gratitude and Inspiration
We warmly thank the Portuguese Chess Federation, the city of Matosinhos, and all speakers, players, and organizers who made this celebration possible. Also big thank you to Active Line Beauty and Mitomo for their generous support, providing beautiful gifts that added a special touch to the celebration.
Special appreciation goes to Susana Gonçalves, member of our Commission, whose long-standing dedication to promoting inclusivity in chess continues to inspire.
Portugal’s contribution to the Women’s Chess Marathon highlighted both competitive excellence and the power of personal stories. Together with the Italian event, it showed how Week Four in Europe amplified women’s voices, proving once again that every move counts in shaping a future where chess belongs to everyone.
