Sicily is on its way of becoming an important meeting point for international chess enthusiasts.

The island abounds with nature beauty spots and a rich cultural and historical heritage. Adding to that a well organised chess tournament is bound to attract chess amateurs and professionals alike.

After a very successful summer tournament ‘Terre degli Elimi’ in Erice (http://en.chessbase.com/post/chess-on-the-mythical-hill-of-erice), in December, a new tournament will be launched on the opposite side of the island, on the slopes of the volcano Etna. Two chess clubs from the island, the ‘Chess Centre Aci Castello’ (Centro Scacchi Aci Castello) and ‘ Friends of the Chess Board’ (Amici della Scacchiera) are collaboratively organising the Etna tournament. No doubt players and guests will be treated to a memorable chess and tourist experience knowing that the organiser of the highly acclaimed Erice tournament, Mr Alessandro Monaco, is also taking care of the first edition of this new tournament in co-operation with Mrs. Agata Campisi Marzaduri from the local chess club of Catania.

 

Two Opens, A for all players and B for players with a rating <1500.



GM Sergei Tiviakov and WGM Anastasia Savina will be among the invited players

Mount Etna is found on the east coast of Sicily, Italy in the Province of Catania, between Messina and Catania. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The summit has about five craters that show a constant volcanic activity. Eruptions can be highly explosive and spectacular, but rarely threaten the inhabited areas around the volcano.


A paroxysm of Etna



The spectacle is calmly viewed from the residential buildings of the nearby towns. Organised excursions are programmed in order to experience the volcano from close as well as the Natural Park whose vegetation is influenced by the geologic, volcanic properties.

This will be a short, packed with action tournament. However, players and guests interested in prolonging their stay and enjoy the area in a relaxed manner, the organizer has arranged for the special hotel prices to be valid from 2-10 December. Special packages to include accommodation, excursions and entry fee are also possible.


Trekking groups on the slopes of Etna

The official hotel Biancaneve (4*), in the town of Nicolosi, is overlooking the Mount Etna and is found within the Park of Etna, which is a natural reserve and a UNESCO patrimonial.


Hotel Biancaneve

Several low-cost airlines fly to Sicily and the airport of Catania, which is the nearest, at only about 30 km. If booked well in advance, thickets can be purchased for around 60 euro.



For accommodation, special prices for groups, packages and for any further information, please contact Alessandro Monaco: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Official website: http://www.etnascacchi.com/

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/etnachess