Scacco del Colle

Open-air chess in Palo del Colle

Scacco del Colle is an amateur chess tournament that, since 2025, has been transforming Palo del Colle—a town in the metropolitan city of Bari, Puglia—into a giant, widespread chessboard. The concept is simple yet powerful: take chess out of specialized clubs and return it to public spaces, from the lush Parco Auricarro to the Municipal Library and the squares of the historic center. It is a way to turn chess into a tool for social, cultural, and intergenerational connection.

A year-round four-stage tournament

The format follows a true chess season, spread across multiple stages in different locations throughout the town. Two players emerge from the spring phase and two from the autumn phase, with participants ranging from locals to guests from all over Puglia; the qualifiers then advance to the winter semi-final. The grand finale is the most anticipated spectacle, featuring a stunning living chessboard match in the heart of the city.

• Spring Phase – Open and Under tournaments at Parco Auricarro
• Autumn Phase – Second selection round in September
• Semi-final – The Champions' Challenge at the Municipal Library
• Final – Living chessboard match during the Carnival period

An inclusive and charitable event

Scacco del Colle is designed as an initiative open to all, with no experience required: all you need is the desire to play and share. At the boards, you will find everyone from children making their first moves to young people, adults, and legendary figures of the Puglian chess scene. Families follow the games at the tables, and players analyze moves together after the match: the atmosphere is more like a community celebration than a stiff competition. Part of the registration proceeds is donated to local charities.

Organization

The event is promoted by the APS Scacco del Colle, a social promotion association based in Palo del Colle, with the patronage of the Municipality of Palo del Colle and the support of the Libera Università Domenico Guaccero and the Rigenera urban laboratory. The organization is also backed by numerous local entities and sponsors, demonstrating the project's deep roots in the local community.

Why you should participate

In a context where chess is enjoying a new wave of popularity, Scacco del Colle offers an original model: not a closed tournament for specialists, but a public event that combines mind sports, culture, and the enhancement of urban spaces. Visitors to Palo del Colle during a tournament stage will find a lively town, where the sound of pieces on the board blends with the voices of the Puglian historic center.