La Regina degli Scacchi

A major chess tournament in the heart of Rome

La Regina degli Scacchi is the international chess festival that brings enthusiasts and competitive players from all over Italy and beyond to Rome every summer. The event is organized by the Accademia Scacchistica Romana, Italy's oldest chess club, founded in 1819. This historic institution brings a high-profile, meticulously organized event to the capital of the Lazio region, now a staple of the federal summer calendar.

Four Open tournaments for every skill level

The festival is divided into four Open tournaments based on rating brackets, ensuring that every participant faces opponents of a similar level:

• Open A — reserved for players with an Elo rating above 1900;
• Open B — Elo range 1700-2000;
• Open C — Elo range 1500-1800;
• Open D — Elo below 1500, ideal for those new to competitive play.

All tournaments are open to both Italian and international players and follow the Swiss system over five rounds, with a time control of 90 minutes per player plus a 30-second increment per move. The "weekend" format packs the matches into three days: one round on Friday afternoon and two rounds on both Saturday and Sunday.

Live streaming and prize pool

The top boards are equipped with electronic chessboards with live streaming, allowing fans to follow the top-tier matches in real time. The festival offers a substantial prize pool in cash and vouchers, which makes the competition even fiercer among the higher brackets. The 2025 edition already demonstrated the event's high standard, with over fifty participants and a perfect-score victory by FM Marco Corvi.

Rome in summer, between chess and culture

Holding the tournament in the City of Rome at the end of July means combining a passion for the game with a city that offers museums, monuments, and open-air evenings during the summer. The venue, Hotel NH Roma Villa Carpegna, is centrally located and well-connected, allowing players to alternate between matches and exploring the capital. For the Accademia Scacchistica Romana, guardian of two centuries of chess tradition, La Regina degli Scacchi is the summer showcase of a passion that never fades in Rome.