CIG – Nichelino Youth Chess Tournament

A historic fixture for Piedmontese youth chess

The Nichelino Youth Chess Tournament is one of the most anticipated events on the Piedmont region's youth chess calendar. Organized by the Associazione Scacchi Nichelino Torino—a club founded in 1974 and one of the longest-running in the Turin province—the tournament serves as a qualifier for the CIG, the Italian Youth Championships promoted by the Italian Chess Federation (FSI). For many young players from Nichelino and the entire Turin metropolitan area, this is the first major test of the season.

How the qualification works

The tournament is structured in six rounds with a rapid time control: 25 minutes plus a 5-second increment per move. It is valid for the international FIDE Rapid Elo rating, a detail that makes the event attractive even to the most ambitious young competitors. Participants are divided by age groups—from the youngest Under-8s and Under-10s to Under-12s, Under-14s, Under-16s, and Under-18s—with the best in each category qualifying for the national phase of the Italian Youth Championship.

A record-breaking tournament

In recent years, the event has reached extraordinary numbers for a qualifier: in a recent edition, registrations hit 96, a result described by organizers as likely unprecedented for a tournament of this type, to the point that registration had to be closed early. This is a testament to the vitality of the youth chess movement in Piedmont and the promotional work carried out by the Nichelino club.

More than just a competition

Beyond the competitive aspect, the Nichelino Youth Tournament is also a celebration and a meeting point for families and local chess clubs. The atmosphere, described as being full of fun and high-level challenges, makes it an event where the passion for chess is passed on to new generations. The tournament is overseen by federal arbiters, ensuring the integrity of a competition that offers a gateway to the national championships.

Nichelino, home of chess near Turin

The tournament takes place at the Associazione Scacchi Nichelino headquarters, at Via Damiano Chiesa 12, just a few kilometers from the center of Turin. The club, active year-round with courses for children and adults, Rapid and Blitz tournaments, and the Berruto Memorial, is a reference point for chess enthusiasts in the province of Turin and Piedmont.