♟️ About A.D. Scacchi “La Torre” di Villa Guardia

A.D. Scacchi “La Torre” di Villa Guardia is a chess association based in Villa Guardia, in the province of Como, Lombardy, Italy. The club affiliates with the Federazione Scacchistica Italiana (FSI) under club ID 9014. Its activities include FIDE-rated tournaments, team chess, club championships, rapid and blitz events, chess instruction, and community initiatives.

The club traces its origins to 1974, when Achille Taborelli founded the organization and gathered a group of chess enthusiasts around him. La Torre later became the chess section of the Gruppo Sportivo di Villa Guardia. In 2000, however, the chess organization became independent and adopted its own association structure. Today, the club maintains its playing headquarters in the Maccio district of Villa Guardia.

Alberto Laricini currently serves as President of A.D. Scacchi La Torre. The FSI’s current registry also lists Camillo Cairoli, Carlo Ghezzi, Alfio Tavasci, and Andrea Viviani on the club council. Moreover, Laricini remains directly involved in tournament organization and serves as the principal public contact for the club’s major 2026 competitions.

🏆 Coppa d’Oro and Open Tournament Activity

The Coppa d’Oro is the club’s longest-running major tournament. In 2026, La Torre organizes the Open Coppa d’Oro – XLII Edizione – Memorial Achille Taborelli, which reaches its 42nd edition.

The tournament also commemorates club founder Achille Taborelli. The memorial designation began after his death and now connects the club’s principal autumn event with its founding history.

The 2026 Coppa d’Oro takes place from October 31 to November 1 at the club headquarters in Villa Guardia. Players compete over five Swiss-system rounds at a time control of 60 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Moreover, the tournament receives FIDE rating and offers cash prizes alongside trophies.

La Torre also organizes the recurring Open Primavera. The 2026 edition took place in May and provided another multi-round rated tournament at the club’s Villa Guardia venue. Therefore, the association maintains significant competitive events in both spring and autumn.

⚡ Rapid, Blitz and Provincial Chess

A.D. Scacchi La Torre organizes tournaments across several time controls. Its annual program includes classical chess, rapid, blitz, semilampo, club championships, and events designed for developing players.

In September 2026, the club hosts both the Campionato Provinciale Comasco Rapid and the Campionato Provinciale Comasco Blitz at its Villa Guardia headquarters. Both competitions receive FIDE rating and determine provincial titles in their respective formats.

The club also takes chess to neighboring communities. For example, it organizes the Torneo Semilampo di Appiano Gentile with support from the local municipality. The third edition took place in May 2026.

In addition, La Torre maintains internal competitions such as its social championship, social blitz and semilampo events, and tournaments for students. Consequently, members can compete regularly without relying only on the club’s larger open events.

♜ Team Chess and Competitive Development

Team chess forms another important part of La Torre’s competitive program. The club participates in the Campionato Italiano a Squadre (CIS) and represents Villa Guardia in the Italian federation structure.

The 2026 season brought an important sporting achievement. La Torre won promotion from the Lombardia 1 Promozione group and earned a place in Serie C.

The club’s 2026 federation team includes experienced players such as Camillo Cairoli, Paolo Cremaschi, and Maurizio Zuccoli. Moreover, team competition gives other members a pathway from club tournaments into organized federation matches.

This structure complements the club’s open tournaments. Players can improve through instruction and internal competition before representing La Torre against other Italian chess associations.

🎓 Chess Training and Youth Development

Chess instruction forms a regular part of the club’s program. La Torre offers courses for beginners, intermediate players, and more advanced students, together with individual lessons when required.

The association also organizes courses specifically for children and teenagers. Its program introduces young players to the basic rules and principles before moving toward tactics, strategy, game analysis, and tournament play.

Moreover, La Torre works with local schools to introduce chess to younger students. The club uses lessons, demonstrations, and other educational activities to expand access to chess within the surrounding communities.

Members can also use the club’s chess library, which contains books, manuals, and other study materials. Therefore, players can combine formal instruction with independent study and practical over-the-board experience.

🤝 Club Life and Community Chess

The club meets at Via Europa Unita 5 in Maccio, Villa Guardia, in the municipal complex that also houses the local music school. Regular Saturday activity runs during the afternoon, while tournaments and special events use the same venue on additional dates.

La Torre describes the promotion of chess as a sporting, educational, and recreational activity as a central part of its mission. The association also collaborates with municipalities and local organizations on public events.

For example, the club has organized tournaments in Appiano Gentile and participated in chess activities in other communities around Como. In addition, it has used public demonstrations and special events to introduce chess outside its permanent clubroom.

The organization reported more than 50 registered members at the end of 2024. Its membership draws players not only from Villa Guardia but also from neighboring municipalities, the province of Varese, and nearby Switzerland.