Caravel Cup

Rome, a capital for chess

The Caravel Cup is an international chess event that has quickly carved out a significant place in the Lazio Region calendar. The venue is the Hotel Caravel, a four-star hotel located at Via Cristoforo Colombo 124 in the City of Rome—specifically within the Municipio VIII district, just a stone's throw from Garbatella and along the main artery connecting the historic center to the EUR district and the coast. This location is no coincidence: Via Cristoforo Colombo serves as the city's gateway for those arriving from Fiumicino and Ostia, and the hotel's air-conditioned playing hall provides professional conditions even during the warmer days of June.

A circuit born in 2025

The inaugural edition took place from November 19 to 23, 2025, bringing sixty players representing fifteen different nations to the board. The concept was developed by Matteo Sampieri and Luca Barbieri, who envisioned not just a standalone tournament, but a true circuit with two Roman legs per year. It is promoted and organized by DPM SRLS, with technical coordination by Palocco Scacchi and the support of the Italian Chess Federation. The stated goal is twofold: to build an international reference point for the chess world while promoting the excellence of the Roman territory, from hospitality to local dining.

The tournament format

The Caravel Cup is divided into three distinct open tournaments, designed to be inclusive: Open A for players with an ELO rating above 1850, Open B for the intermediate range of 1500–1900 points, and Open C for those below 1500, including those just starting their competitive journey. The matches are valid for FIDE-rated ELO changes, making the tournament as compelling for Grandmasters as it is for club players looking to boost their official ranking.

Six days open to the city

The event goes beyond the chessboard. Alongside the matches, the festival offers initiatives open to the public, including commented analysis sessions and opportunities for enthusiasts, families, and curious onlookers to gather and observe. Chess remains a mind sport accessible to all ages, and the Caravel Cup leverages this as a tourist draw: many international participants stay at the hotel itself, turning the tournament into a week-long Roman holiday.

Institutional recognition

From its debut, the event has received the patronage of Roma Capitale—through the departments for Major Events, Sport, Tourism, and Fashion—as well as the support of Confesercenti Rome and Lazio and Assoturismo. The presentation of the second edition took place at Palazzo Valentini, the seat of the Metropolitan City of Rome, confirming institutional commitment to an event that brings international delegations to the capital outside of peak tourist season.

Why it's worth following

• Tournament with official FIDE ELO rating and Grandmaster participation.
• Three separate open categories: no beginner is forced to face titled players.
• All-in-one venue for play and accommodation, with special rates for participants.
• Strategic location on Via Cristoforo Colombo, well-connected to the center, EUR, and the airport.
• A growing circuit with events scheduled twice a year in Rome.

The Roman context

Rome has a solid chess tradition, fueled by historic clubs and international events like the Roma Città Aperta festival. The Caravel Cup fits into this landscape while offering a distinct approach: that of a residential event concentrated in a single hotel, where the tournament becomes a complete stay experience. It is a formula already proven in Northern Europe, and one that finds one of its most successful applications here in the Lazio region.