As part of FIDE’s 2025 Year of Social Chess, each month highlights how chess can bring people together, build communities, and empower individuals. This August, the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess (WOM) is leading Women’s Chess Month — a global celebration of women and girls in chess.
Under the banner of the Women’s Chess Marathon, flagship events are being held across all continents in cooperation with national federations and local organizers. These celebrations amplify the voices of women in chess and showcase the game’s power to inspire and unite.
One of the key events in Europe this month is taking place in Vicenza, Italy, where the Italian Chess Federation and the Veneto Chess Committee have come together to organize a weekend full of energy, education, and community.
🇮🇹 POWER MOVES: WOMEN SHAPING CHESS
August 30–31, Vicenza, Italy
Italy’s contribution to the Women’s Chess Marathon, titled Power Moves: Women Shaping Chess, will span two days and include a unique mix of play and conversation.
📍 Location: Vicenza, Italy
📆 August 30–31, 2025
🎟️ Open to all
🗓️ August 30 – Girls & Boys Blitz Team Tournament
Beginning at 3:00 PM, this FIDE-rated blitz event invites teams of two — one girl and one boy — to compete together. Designed to encourage equality, teamwork, and fun, the format highlights the values of shared learning and mutual respect.
🗓️ August 31 – Conference & Masterclass
From 3:00 PM onward, participants will gather for an inspiring afternoon of talks and discussions, led by prominent women in the chess world. The program includes: speeches by leading figures in chess, a training session led by WGM Aleksandra Dimitrijevic, commentary and analysis of a famous women’s chess game and more!
Featured speakers:
- WGM Aleksandra Dimitrijević – Director of the MITROPA Chess Academy and FIDE Trainer
- WIM Anastasia Sorokina – Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess
- Franca Dapiran – International FIDE Arbiter
- Veronika Goi – Vice President of the Italian Chess Federation and former Italian U20 Champion
The event will be moderated by Deborah Pavei, 2008 Italian Girls U14 Champion.
A Note of Thanks
We thank the Italian Chess Federation, the Veneto Chess Committee, and all the incredible speakers and organizers for making this meaningful event possible. Italy’s celebration brings together generations of players, leaders, and learners, showing that every move counts in shaping the future of chess.
More about Women’s Chess Marathon
Do you want to know more about the Women’s Chess Marathon? Read our article about it here: https://wom.fide.com/august-is-for-women-in-chess-join-the-global-womens-chess-marathon/
And remember – you can be an important part of it too! Organize an event for girls&women in chess in August and let us know, by tagging our social media and using #WomensChessMarathon hashtag.
Lets build a world where no one thinks “chess is not for girls”!
