The TalTech Rapid Tournament / Nõmme Open will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, 21 August, followed by the 4th TalTech Blitz Tournament at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 22 August.

Among the best-known participants are Estonian chess legend Jaan Ehlvest, multiple German champion Daniel Fridman, one of Lithuania’s top players Tomas Laurusas, Latvian grandmaster Arturs Neikšāns, and Polish chess legend Michał Krasenkow. The most prominent female participant is multiple US champion Anna Zatonskih. In addition, three international grandmasters will be joining from both Sweden and Slovakia.

According to tournament director Urmas Randma, it is a positive sign that many international players are returning to the Tallinn tournaments.

“It seems that they like Tallinn, Estonia, and our tournaments. That is a very good sign for the organisers,” Randma said.

Young players can compete alongside grandmasters

Alongside international grandmasters, local Estonian players and young competitors are also invited to participate. Randma highlighted that one of the festival’s key aims is to give young players the opportunity to compete directly against stronger opponents.

“As an organiser, I especially hope that young chess enthusiasts will take an active part in the tournaments. When else would they have the opportunity to play in the same event as grandmasters and other top-level players?” Randma said.

In his view, chess is once again gaining popularity in Estonia, as shown by growing interest among both youth and adults, as well as increasing tournament participation.

TalTech Vice-Rector for Entrepreneurship Erik Puura also notes a renewed global surge in the game's popularity. Computers have not diminished interest in chess; instead, they allow fans to follow top tournaments in real time and analyse games. Chess has also reached wider audiences through the series The Queen’s Gambit and popular online content creators.

According to Puura, chess is also excellent training for leadership and decision-making. The game teaches players to formulate plans, think several moves ahead, adapt to changing circumstances, and make timely decisions.

TalTech aims to develop chess culture

TalTech features an active chess club led by Igor Krupenski and Nikita Rõtšagov, and the university is hosting international tournaments for the second consecutive year.

Randma considers the cooperation with TalTech highly important for Estonian chess.

“Estonian chess has found a kindred spirit and partner in a respected university,” he said. “In my view, TalTech could certainly become one of Europe’s leading chess universities.”

According to Randma, the most important aspect of the partnership is a shared vision to organise high-level chess events. TalTech provides the main building auditorium, while university staff and chess club members actively contribute to the organisation.

Puura added that chess fits naturally into the environment of a university of technology.

“A new era of chess has begun at TalTech,” he said. “I am genuinely pleased that, together with Rector Tiit Land, I have been able to support this initiative as vice-rector for the second consecutive year.”

Four tournaments in four days

The Tallinn Chess Festival will take place from 20 to 23 August and feature four international tournaments:

• 20 August (3 p.m.): An invitation-only handicap blitz tournament in the courtyard of the C’est La Vie café.
• 21 August (4 p.m.): The TalTech Rapid Tournament / Nõmme Open in the main auditorium of Tallinn University of Technology.
• 22 August (11 a.m.): The 4th TalTech Blitz Tournament at the same venue.
• 23 August: The festival’s grand finale in the gaming hall on the third floor of T1 Venue.

Full information about the Tallinn Chess Festival and tournament regulations

Tallinn Chess Festival on Facebook.