ACO World Amateur Chess Championship Rhodes (Greece) 2014

ACO World Amateur Chess Championship Rhodes (Greece) 2014

The ACO World Amateur Chess Championship took place on the Greek island of Rhodes from 7-16 June, 2014. 237 players with ages between 8 to 86 fought for the title of ACO World Champion in the 4 and 5 -star all-Inclusive hotel complex Esperia Hotels Rhodes.

Players from 26 countries, among them Germany, Argentinia, Brazil, Russia, Spain and the US took part in the championship.

In the first ACO World Championship in Dubai in 2012 there were 72 players, in the second edition in 2013 it were already more than twice this number (168) and in 2014 it was 237 players.

The venue of the event was the award-winning 4 and 5 -star all-Inclusive Hotel complex Esperia Hotels Rhodes, providing the playing hall with perfect conditions:

Superb playing conditions with more than 1000 sqm.
Enough space for great moves!:)

All games started at 10 AM in the morning providing enough time in the in the afternoon for quality time with family and friends at the beach.

Playing chess where others make holidays!



 

Group Picture with all players

Besides the championship there was a nice side program, e.g. trip to the local sights, such as the Acropolis of Lindos and the historical city of Rhodes, including the, wait for it, "Grandmaster Palace"! The group trips were guided by very friendly tourist guides who made learning about the culture of Rhodes fun. In the evenings blitz and team-blitz ournaments were organized with more than 100 players each.
Furthermore, free lessons with world-reknowned coach Grandmaster Zigurds Lanka were offered and have been heavily visited. Everyone enjoyed the lessons, and some even used the newly gained insights to win games with the exact variations from the GM-lessons! 

For 2 Chess.com members it was a real special experience: Brothers Brumas and Alex Newstead from London(UK) and Seattle (US) read about the World Championship here on chess.com and decided to give the tournament a go. So after years without seeing each other, they finally met again at a chess event! And guess what happened? They both dominated their groups and they both became World Champions! Congratulations Alex & Brumas!!!

The ACO World Champions 2014:

12 players received a special distinction for promoting the ACO and the World Championship in the last 12 months.
They received the ACO Amabassador Award 2014 

Winners of the ACO  Ambassador Award for promoting the ACO in their respective countries

Special prices for all participating girls and ladies

All participants were given a diploma on stage. 

The next ACO World Amateur Chess Championship 2015 will be taking place on the beautiful Greek island of Kos. The ACO is offering special conditions for registrations till 30 September, 2014.

Photos of the event: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.841442019217787.1073741836.200413989987263&type=1

Photos of the prize-giving ceremony and galadinner: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.847915425237113.1073741838.200413989987263&type=1

Official tournament site: http://www.amateurchess.com/

All results: http://www.amateurchess.com/results/

Report on the ACO World Championship 2012 in Dubai: http://en.chessbase.com/home/TabId/211/PostId/4008413

Regulations for the ACO World Amateur Chess Championship 2015: http://amateurchess.com/world-amateur-chess-championship-2015/