Circolo Scacchistico Cavalli&Segugi

♟️ About Circolo Scacchistico Cavalli&Segugi A.S.D.

Circolo Scacchistico Cavalli&Segugi A.S.D. is a chess club based in Robecchetto con Induno, in the northwestern part of the Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy. Founded on November 25, 2001, the club is affiliated with the Federazione Scacchistica Italiana and promotes chess throughout the Castanese area. Its permanent club premises are inside Palazzo Fagnani Arese, the municipal building in central Robecchetto con Induno. Cavalli&Segugi maintains an unusually extensive annual program for a local chess club. Its activities include FIDE-rated classical, rapid, and blitz tournaments, internal competitions, Italian Team Chess Championship participation, junior tournaments, chess courses, seasonal rapid and blitz circuits, and informal community chess. Events are organized not only in Robecchetto but also in nearby communities such as Turbigo, Castano Primo, Cuggiono, Vanzaghello, and Marcallo con Casone. Marco Mereghetti is the current President, with Cesare Rutigliano serving as Vice President. Tournament organization is coordinated by several experienced club members, particularly Graziano Ottolini, while Stefano Grimelli serves as a current public tournament contact and is therefore the most practical primary contact for organizer enquiries. The remainder of the 2026 calendar includes the 23rd Open Autunno, additional FIDE blitz and youth events, and the 38th Festival “Comune di Robecchetto con Induno” in December.

📜 History and Club Development

Cavalli&Segugi was founded in Vanzaghello in 2001 by nine chess enthusiasts: Alessandro Bigatti, Graziano Ottolini, Flavio Polloni, Ennio Poretti, Carlo Re, Riccardo Santangelo, Mario Tavecchia, Gianluca Tavella, and Gilberto Torretta. The club deliberately chose the distinctive Cavalli&Segugi name rather than naming itself after a town or famous chess player. Over time, its activities moved across several communities in the Castanese area before the Municipality of Robecchetto con Induno provided the current permanent clubroom inside Palazzo Fagnani Arese. Today, regular activity includes longer tournaments on Thursday evenings, rapid and blitz events on Mondays, and junior instruction on Saturdays. The club also maintains a substantial online archive containing historical tournament results, ratings, games, calendars, and editions of its Agenda Scacchi newsletter.

🏆 Tournament Activity

Tournament organization is one of Cavalli&Segugi’s defining activities. During 2026, the club has already staged the 22nd Open Primavera, the 18th Premier League team rapid competition, multiple FIDE Elo Blitz circuit events, youth competitions, the Mosquito Cup, and several seasonal rapid and blitz tournaments. The 7th Open Estate, held on July 25–26, 2026 at Centro Sportivo Naviglio in Turbigo, attracted 87 entries. The event consisted of two FIDE-rated classical sections and six rounds at 60 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. FM Michele Di Liberto won Open A, while Gabriele Mekiker finished first in Open B. The club also operates ScacchiEstate, a summer circuit linking blitz tournaments held in different communities around western Lombardy. In addition, its recurring Elo Blitz series gives local players frequent opportunities to establish and improve FIDE Blitz ratings.

🎓 Youth Chess and Training

Junior chess is integrated into the club’s regular weekly activity. Cavalli&Segugi runs courses for players under 18, including beginner and intermediate training programs. The Puledri&Cuccioli series provides dedicated competitive opportunities for younger players. The ninth FIDE-rated edition took place in May 2026, while the 10th Rapid FIDE Puledri&Cuccioli is scheduled for October 3. These events allow young players to move from instruction and informal chess into officially rated competition. The club also supports junior participation through reduced membership and tournament fees.

🌟 Autumn and Winter 2026

The club’s autumn program remains particularly busy. The 45th FIDE Elo Blitz circuit tournament is scheduled for September 10, followed by the 21st Coppa Ambrosia from September 17 to October 1. The 23rd Open Autunno will run from October 8 to November 26, 2026 in Robecchetto con Induno. The tournament continues the club’s tradition of organizing longer evening FIDE-rated competitions that allow local players to combine classical chess with weekday schedules. The year concludes with the 38th Festival “Comune di Robecchetto con Induno,” scheduled for December 27–29, 2026. The FIDE-rated festival will feature Magistrale, Open A, and Open B sections and continues a tournament tradition that predates the foundation of the present club.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

Marco Mereghetti currently serves as President of Circolo Scacchistico Cavalli&Segugi, while Cesare Rutigliano is Vice President. Stefano Ghiggini serves as Secretary, and Francesco Giusti and Simone Rolfi are board members. Outside the board, Graziano Ottolini is responsible for tournament organization, the social calendar, Thursday club activity, and the club website. Claudio Aquari coordinates additional social competitions. For current tournament communication, Stefano Grimelli is a published organizer contact and handles player enquiries for major events such as the 2026 Open Estate.