Spezia per gli Scacchi

♟️ About A.S.D. Spezia per gli Scacchi

A.S.D. Spezia per gli Scacchi is a historic chess club based in La Spezia, Liguria, Italy. Founded in 1892 by Giovanni Battista Valle, the organization is among the oldest active chess clubs in Italy and has played an important role in the development of organized chess in the country. Only a few years after its foundation, the La Spezia club joined leading Italian chess organizations in establishing the Unione Scacchistica Italiana (USI) in 1898, an important predecessor within the development of Italy’s national chess structure. Today, the club combines this long tradition with competitive team chess, tournaments, junior development, chess courses, school projects, and regular club activities. Claudio Grieco serves as President and has played a central role in the club’s recent sporting development.

🏆 Tournaments & Competitive Chess

A.S.D. Spezia per gli Scacchi organizes and supports a broad range of competitive events, from local and regional championships to major FIDE-rated international tournaments. One of its principal events is the Open Internazionale del Levante Ligure, organized in La Spezia and now established as an important annual tournament. The competition attracts players from Italy and abroad and features several rating-based sections. The 9° Open Internazionale del Levante Ligure 2026 takes place from December 4–6 at NH La Spezia. The tournament consists of three FIDE Standard-rated sections and five rounds of classical chess, with a published total prize fund of €4,500. The club has also hosted provincial championships and supports other competitions in cooperation with the Ligurian chess community. Its tournament activities regularly involve partnerships with regional organizations, local institutions, and neighboring chess clubs.

🥇 Team Chess & Achievements

Team competition is a particularly important part of Spezia per gli Scacchi. The club has steadily progressed through the Italian team championship structure and reached a major milestone by earning promotion to the Serie Master for 2026. The Serie Master is the highest level of the Italian Team Chess Championship and includes the country’s strongest clubs. Spezia entered the division among Italy’s leading 24 teams. In the 2026 Serie Master, the club successfully retained its place in the top division after a dramatic play-out campaign. The decisive match against CPS Palermo progressed through classical, rapid, and blitz phases before Spezia secured the result needed to remain in the Master for the following season. This achievement continued several years of competitive growth under President Claudio Grieco and established the club firmly among Italy’s leading team chess organizations.

🌱 Junior Chess & Education

Chess education and youth development are central to the club’s activities. A.S.D. Spezia per gli Scacchi works with schools in La Spezia and organizes courses designed to introduce children and teenagers to chess. In 2026, the club continued its cooperation with the Anna Frank secondary school, providing structured chess courses for students. Local school teams supported by the chess community also progressed through provincial and regional stages of the Trofeo Scacchi Scuola, with qualifying teams reaching the national finals. The club additionally offers training at its regular venue and organizes activities for both developing and experienced players. Its objective is to make chess accessible across generations while maintaining opportunities for competitive progression.

📚 History & Chess Tradition

The history of chess in La Spezia is closely connected with the development of Italian organized chess. Founder Giovanni Battista Valle was a respected chess problem composer as well as a professor and painter. Another significant chapter came in 1959, when the La Spezia chess club promoted the creation of the Campionato Italiano a Squadre (CIS). The first edition was held in nearby Lerici, beginning a competition that remains one of the central events in Italian team chess. More than 130 years after its foundation, A.S.D. Spezia per gli Scacchi continues to combine historical tradition with modern competitive chess. Its activities now span elite team competition, international tournaments, school chess, coaching, and community development.