♟️ About the Organizer

Thessaloniki Chess Academy “Lefkos Pyrgos”, officially known in Greek as Σκακιστική Ακαδημία Θεσσαλονίκης “Λευκός Πύργος”, is a registered chess club based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The Thessaloniki–Chalkidiki Chess Clubs Union lists the academy among its affiliated clubs under code XM83. The academy operates from Papafi Street in central Thessaloniki. It provides chess instruction and regular playing opportunities for children, young players, and adults. Its official website presents a structured coaching team and describes an educational environment for players of different ages and experience levels.

Thessaloniki Chess Academy “Lefkos Pyrgos” also takes part in official team competitions. The club competed in the 2025 European Chess Club Cup and participates in regional youth and team championships organized through the Thessaloniki–Chalkidiki chess structure.

🏆 Chess Events and Activities

The academy organizes the historic White Tower Open and the International Open SKG tournament series. The 46th White Tower Open and 8th International Open SKG took place from January 3 to 10, 2026, at Porto Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki. The academy organized the event with ESO Papafi “To Chroniko” and SA Moudanion.

The January 2026 event offered three rating groups. Groups A and B used nine-round Swiss-system formats, while Group C used seven rounds. All sections counted for FIDE and Greek Chess Federation standard ratings. The published classical time control was 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one. The total prize fund was €4,000.

The academy also presents the 9th International Open SKG, scheduled for August 6–11, 2026, at Holiday Inn Thessaloniki. Chess-Results lists separate A and B groups, while the official tournament website provides registration, regulations, accommodation information, and direct tournament contact details. The club also organizes smaller local and youth events. Confirmed activities include junior team tournaments, rapid competitions, blitz events, artistic chess activities, and a university rapid tournament organized with the University of Macedonia chess team. These events extend the academy’s work beyond its main international tournaments.

🌍 Chess Training and Community

Thessaloniki Chess Academy “Lefkos Pyrgos” combines tournament organization with regular chess education. Its official website lists coaches who support both academy training and the club’s competitive teams. The program gives beginners a place to learn while allowing experienced players to prepare for official competitions. The academy often works with ESO Papafi “To Chroniko,” SA Moudanion, the Thessaloniki–Chalkidiki Chess Clubs Union, local institutions, and tournament venues. The Greek Chess Federation has confirmed the academy’s involvement in national junior championship events held in Thessaloniki.

Its international tournaments bring rated classical chess to Thessaloniki, while its club program supports regular training and local competition. The academy publishes tournament announcements, registration details, pairings, results, photographs, and practical information through its official website and social-media pages.