Chess Club of Rhodes Ippotis

♟️ About Chess Club of Rhodes “Ippotis”

Chess Club of Rhodes “Ippotis” is an established chess club and tournament organizer based in Rhodes, Greece. Founded in 2008, the club operates from its headquarters at Pindou 1 in Rhodes, in the historic Ali Hilmi Pasha Mosque building, which has served as its home since 2011. Ippotis provides year-round chess instruction, competitive training, club tournaments, and organized play for children and adults. The club has developed an island-wide training structure rather than limiting its activity to central Rhodes. Its current programs include groups in Rhodes, Kremasti, and Ialyssos, with training levels ranging from introductory classes to competitive groups and adult chess. Youth development remains central to its work, supported by school competitions and the club’s annual Grand Prix series. Ippotis also competes at the highest level of Greek team chess and has become an experienced organizer of major national and international events. The club is led by President Stamatios Dimitrios Karavas, who was re-elected for the 2026–2028 term. In 2026, Ippotis continued its national team program, reached the quarterfinal stage of the Greek Chess Cup, and retained its place in the Greek A’ Ethniki. Its principal international event for the year is the Rodos Palace Chess Open 2026, held at the Rodos Palace Resort from August 24 to September 3.

📜 History and International Events

Chess Club of Rhodes “Ippotis” was founded on July 18, 2008 and gradually developed from a local Rhodes chess organization into an organizer with significant national and international experience. A major step in that development came through hosting European competitions in Rhodes. In 2025, Ippotis organized the European Women’s Chess Championship, which brought 136 players from 34 federations to the island. Later that year, Rhodes hosted the 40th European Chess Club Cup and 29th European Women’s Chess Club Cup. The European Chess Union subsequently recognized Chess Club Ippotis for its outstanding organization of European chess championships in Rhodes. These events strengthened the club’s role as a bridge between local chess development and major international tournament activity.

🎓 Youth Chess and Training

Chess education forms a substantial part of Ippotis’ year-round work. Its training system includes beginner levels, progressively stronger Step groups, competitive training, and adult classes. During the 2025–2026 season, the club organized its 12th Youth Grand Prix, a series of rapid tournaments designed to give developing players regular competitive experience. The sixth and final event was held in May 2026. The club also organized the 2026 Dodecanese Individual and Team School Chess Championships, continuing its long-running involvement with scholastic chess. Ippotis also collaborates with the University of the Aegean on educational initiatives connected with the teaching of chess in primary and secondary education.

♜ Team Chess

Ippotis maintains an active competitive team at national level. In the 2026 Greek A’ Ethniki Team Championship, held in Patras, the Rhodes club finished 17th and secured its place in the top division for the following season. The club emphasized opportunities for locally developed and younger players during the championship. In June 2026, Ippotis also reached the quarterfinals of the Greek Chess Cup, facing Panathinaikos in the last-eight stage.

🏆 Rodos Palace Chess Open 2026

The Rodos Palace Chess Open 2026 is the club’s principal international open tournament of the year. It takes place from August 24 to September 3, 2026 at the five-star Rodos Palace Resort in Ixia, Rhodes. The tournament is a nine-round classical event. The time control is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 15 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one. Nikolaos Vasilakis, the club’s Competition Officer for the 2026–2028 term, serves as Tournament Director.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

The club elected its current board in January 2026 for a term running through 2028. Stamatios Dimitrios Karavas remains President, while Savvas Kambouropoulos serves as Vice President. Efthymios Papadopoulos is General Secretary, Spyridon Karaboikis is Treasurer, and Nikolaos Vasilakis oversees competition activity.