Šahovski klub Crikvenica

♟️ About Šahovski klub Crikvenica

Šahovski klub Crikvenica (Chess Club Crikvenica) is an active chess club and international tournament organizer based in Crikvenica, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia. The club is affiliated with the regional Šahovski savez Primorsko-goranske županije and competes within the Croatian Chess Federation system. It combines senior team competition with a particularly strong youth program and organizes FIDE-rated tournaments in Crikvenica and nearby Selce. The club participates in the Second Croatian Chess League – West, regional cup competitions, youth leagues, and individual championships. Its recent teams have included several of Croatia’s strongest young players, among them FM Ivano Sundać, CM Ivano Tomljanović, CM Ivan Ivančić, Vid Krešić, and other developing juniors. Tournament organization is another important part of the club’s identity. Its calendar includes the Crikvenica Open, memorial and blitz tournaments, International Chess Day events, and competitions connected with the Crikvenica Riviera. Nikola Sundać is the club’s principal operational contact and a central figure in its tournament organization. He is listed as the official contact person by the regional chess federation and serves as Tournament Director of the Crikvenica Open 2026. During 2026, ŠK Crikvenica has continued to compete in the Second Croatian League – West while its juniors have represented the club in national championships. The club is now preparing the 2nd Advent Chess Festival – Crikvenica Open, scheduled for December 10–16, 2026 at Hotel Marina in Selce.

♜ Competitive Team Chess

ŠK Crikvenica has established a strong presence in western Croatian team competition. The club was recognized by the City of Crikvenica as its most successful men’s sports team for 2024 after winning the Second Croatian Chess League – West and the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Cup. The team also finished third in the qualification competition for promotion to a higher division. That successful squad included Nejc Herega, Ivano Tomljanović, Ivano Sundać, Ivan Ivančić, Vid Krešić, Erik Haidinger, and Nenad Jurman. In 2026, the club is again competing in the Second Croatian League – West. Its opponents include teams from Pula, Rijeka, Karlobag, Poreč, Buje, Lošinj, and other clubs across western Croatia.

🎓 Youth Chess

Youth development is one of the clearest strengths of Šahovski klub Crikvenica. The club won the 1st Cadet League West in 2025, finishing first in an eight-team competition ahead of ŠK Pula and ŠK Krk. This result demonstrated the depth of Crikvenica’s junior program. Several young club members have progressed into strong national-level competition. FM Ivano Sundać represented ŠK Crikvenica in the 2026 Croatian U19 Championship as one of the tournament’s highest-rated players. CM Ivano Tomljanović also competed for the club in the same national championship. The current playing group also includes CM Ivan Ivančić, Vid Krešić, and other juniors who regularly appear in FIDE-rated competitions. Their development has given the club an unusually young core for a competitive senior team.

🌊 Chess on the Crikvenica Riviera

The club regularly takes chess beyond conventional league matches and into public events on the Croatian coast. On July 18, 2026, players gathered for the International Chess Day tournament at the Chess Beach in Crikvenica. The starting field included several leading ŠK Crikvenica players, including FM Ivano Sundać, CM Ivano Tomljanović, Erik Haidinger, Vid Krešić, and CM Ivan Ivančić. The club has also organized the Gospodar Listopada – Zoričić and Zbašnik Brothers Memorial, featuring FIDE-rated blitz competitions together with separate youth sections. These activities connect competitive chess with the city’s public and tourism program and help maintain regular tournament opportunities outside the traditional league calendar.

🌟 Crikvenica Open

The Crikvenica Open is the club’s principal international tournament. The 2025 edition took place from December 12–20 at Hotel Marina in Selce. The festival featured separate A and B tournaments and offered a combined €8,000 prize fund. The A tournament was a nine-round FIDE-rated classical competition. GM Egor Bogdanov of Ukraine won with an undefeated 7/9, finishing half a point ahead of IM Muthaiah Al. IM Nitin S took third place. The festival also included the 6th Zoričić and Zbašnik Brothers Memorial Blitz Open, where IM Nitin S won with 9.5/11 and club player FM Ivano Sundać finished second with 9/11.

🏆 Crikvenica Open 2026

The club will stage the 2nd Advent Chess Festival 2026 – Crikvenica Open from December 10–16, 2026 at Hotel Marina Selce. The festival consists of two FIDE-rated classical sections. Open A uses a 90+30 time control, while Open B uses 60+30. Both tournaments are scheduled for nine Swiss-system rounds. The early A-section field already includes GM Egor Bogdanov, IM Vladyslav Larkin, IM Jadranko Plenča, GM Dragiša Blagojević, and GM Milan Draško. ŠK Crikvenica is also represented by a strong group of young players including FM Ivano Sundać, Nejc Herega, Vid Krešić, CM Ivano Tomljanović, and CM Ivan Ivančić. Nikola Sundać serves as Tournament Director and Deputy Chief Arbiter. IA Nenad Dorić is Chief Arbiter, with Albert Katušić also part of the arbiting team.