♟️ About Associazione Ricreativa Culturale Le Muse ETS

Associazione Ricreativa Culturale Le Muse ETS, commonly known as Le Muse Caltagirone, is a cultural and recreational association based in Caltagirone, Sicily. The organization promotes cultural, educational, social, and sporting initiatives, including chess tournaments, literary events, music, theatre, cinema, and projects for young people. Moreover, Le Muse regularly works with the Municipality of Caltagirone and other local organizations to bring activities into public and historic venues across the city.

The association has been active since July 2019. President Sandro Copernico explained at the time that he founded Le Muse with a group of friends who wanted to create permanent cultural initiatives for Caltagirone. Chess formed part of the project from the beginning, alongside theatre, music, photography, and cinema. The association later entered Italy’s Third Sector structure and now operates under the official name Associazione Ricreativa Culturale Le Muse ETS.

Sandro Copernico remains President in 2026 and continues to lead both cultural and chess-related projects. Current Italian government records identify him as the representative of the association. In addition, official 2026 chess regulations publish his direct telephone number for tournament registration. Therefore, he is the most appropriate Contact Person for the MyChess.Events organizer profile.

🏆 Chess Tournaments in Caltagirone

Chess has developed into one of Le Muse’s most visible sporting activities. The association began promoting chess almost immediately after its creation and has maintained a long-term partnership with A.S.D. Accademia Scacchistica Don Pietro Carrera of Catania.

That partnership combines Le Muse’s local organization and community connections with the federated chess experience of Accademia Carrera. As a result, Caltagirone now hosts FSI- and FIDE-rated events in classical and rapid formats.

One recurring project is the Gran Rapid d’Autunno. Le Muse organized the first tournament in 2024 with Accademia Carrera and support from the Municipality of Caltagirone. The second edition followed in 2025, while the third edition is scheduled for November 8, 2026 at the Salone degli Specchi of the Corte Capitaniale.

The 2026 regulations explicitly name Associazione Culturale Le Muse Caltagirone and Accademia Scacchistica Don Pietro Carrera as the organizers. Moreover, registrations go through Le Muse, and advance payments go directly to an account held by the association.

Le Muse and Accademia Carrera also jointly organize federation activities beyond their own tournament series. For example, the two associations organized the 2026 Sicilian regional phase of the Trofeo CONI in Militello Val di Catania.

🧒 Youth Chess and Player Development

Le Muse places particular emphasis on introducing chess to children and young people. This objective has been part of the association’s program since its earliest months, when Sandro Copernico announced plans to establish chess training for students in Caltagirone.

The program now includes official youth competition. On May 24, 2026, Le Muse organized the Torneo Giovanile del Convitto at the Convitto INPS “Luigi Sturzo” in Caltagirone. The competition covered age categories from U8 through U18.

Importantly, the tournament counted for FIDE Rapid rating and served as a qualification event for the 2026 Italian Youth Championship. Therefore, young players could move beyond recreational chess and enter the formal FSI competitive pathway.

The association also integrates chess into wider city programs. During Maggio dei Libri 2026, Caltagirone’s official cultural calendar included the youth tournament among the events organized by Le Muse. In addition, the association organized the second Combinata di Primavera chess event during the same cultural program.

This approach connects chess with education, culture, and community participation rather than treating it only as a competitive sport.

🌟 Le Muse Scacchi Fest

The Le Muse Scacchi Fest is the association’s principal classical chess festival. The inaugural edition took place from December 26–28, 2025 at Palazzo dell’Aquila, the historic municipal building in central Caltagirone.

The first festival already operated within the official Italian chess calendar. It offered several tournament sections and used Le Muse’s dedicated email for participant communication. Moreover, the event formed part of Caltagirone’s wider Christmas program.

The second edition takes place from December 18–20, 2026 at the Salone di Rappresentanza Mario Scelba, Palazzo dell’Aquila. The tournament expands to three six-round FIDE-rated classical sections.

Open A accepts players rated 1650 and above. Meanwhile, Open B covers players below 1700, and Open C is restricted to players below 1550. All sections use a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move.

The festival offers €1,200 in published cash prizes, together with trophies for rating and youth categories. Furthermore, all minors and members of Accademia Scacchistica Don Pietro Carrera receive a reduced entry fee.

The organizational structure strongly supports Le Muse as the primary reusable organizer. Players contact Sandro Copernico or Roberto Annaloro, use associazionelemusecaltagirone@gmail.com, and transfer advance entry fees directly to Le Muse Associazione Ricreativa Culturale. Accademia Carrera remains an important chess partner and provides the official chess connection reflected by the FSI listing.

🤝 Cultural and Community Activity

Le Muse is broader than a chess organization. Its original mission includes literature, theatre, music, cinema, photography, and other cultural activities. Consequently, its chess projects form part of a larger effort to increase participation in Caltagirone’s cultural life.

The association regularly organizes book presentations and literary events. During the 2026 Maggio dei Libri program, it presented Francesca Bronzetti’s Di scirocco e scighera. In June, Le Muse worked with the Ottavia Penna volunteer association on a public presentation dedicated to Ottavia Penna, one of the women elected to Italy’s Constituent Assembly.

Le Muse also participates in social-development projects. In early 2026, Sandro Copernico represented the association in KAIRÒS – Il tempo opportuno, a youth project focused on civic participation, culture, creativity, and community development.

Therefore, the association’s chess activity fits naturally within its wider program. Chess becomes another tool for education, social participation, intergenerational activity, and the use of Caltagirone’s public cultural spaces.