Accademia Scacchistica Cremonese

♟️ About Accademia Scacchistica Cremonese A.S.D.

Accademia Scacchistica Cremonese A.S.D. (ASC) is a chess club based in Cremona, Lombardy, Italy. The association is affiliated with the Federazione Scacchistica Italiana (FSI) under ID 9020. It combines competitive team chess, FIDE-rated tournament organization, junior development, adult instruction, school chess, and regular recreational activity. Five local chess players founded the Accademia: Fabrizio Camuso, Giorgio Ervetti, Mario Galeotti, Franco Romagnoli, and Giuseppe Sgargi. Before creating ASC, they belonged to the earlier Circolo Scacchistico Cremonese. The FSI formally recognized the new Accademia on January 1, 1985. Giuseppe Sgargi became its first President and led the club until 1996. The presidency later passed to Franco Romagnoli, followed by Roberto Bonelli from 2007 through 2023. Riccardo Cavaliere became President in 2024 and continues in that position in 2026. The current FSI council also includes Federico Biolchi, Tiberio Poli, Franco Romagnoli, and Antonio Volpati. Moreover, Italy’s national sports register identifies Cavaliere as the association’s current legal representative.

🏛️ A Long Chess Tradition in Cremona

During its first decades, the Accademia operated from several historic buildings in central Cremona. Its first home was at the Famiglia Cremounesa cultural association in Piazza Antonio Maria Zaccaria. Later venues included Palazzo Guazzoni-Zaccaria, Palazzo Schinchinelli-Martini, and Palazzo Cattaneo. Since 2005, the club has operated from the premises of Società Filodrammatica Cremonese in Piazza Filodrammatici. The location provides a regular room for lessons and club activity as well as larger halls for tournaments. Competitive success developed strongly during the 1990s. The club won Serie C in 1992, B2 in 1993, B1 in 1995, and A2 in 1996. Consequently, ASC earned promotion to the highest national division for the 1997 season. Youth players also contributed to this earlier competitive period. A strong Cremona junior team finished second in the Piccolo Trofeo Lombardia in 1989 and won the competition in 1990. Today, the association combines that history with a renewed and expanding program of tournaments, education, and team competition.

🎓 Chess School and Player Development

Chess education remains one of ASC’s principal activities. The Federazione Scacchistica Italiana recognizes its chess school at Levels 1 and 2, with Riccardo Cavaliere and Franco Romagnoli listed as official contacts. The club runs separate programs for children, teenagers, and adults. In the 2026 spring program, junior training included Under-14 and Under-18 groups. Students were divided according to experience, with separate beginner and advanced courses running simultaneously. The program included nine lessons followed by closing tournaments. Under-18 students completed their course with a Blitz tournament, while the Under-14 program finished with a Rapid competition. Moreover, new students could attend an initial lesson without commitment. Adult training also forms part of the association’s annual program. Courses cover both introductory and more advanced chess, while regular club evenings give players additional opportunities to analyze games, practice, and compete. The club also has a substantial current federation base. For the 2026 sporting year, Italy’s national sports register records 35 competitive FSI members and 14 practicing members with Accademia Scacchistica Cremonese.

🧒 School Chess and Youth Development

The Accademia has worked with young players since its early years. Its historical program included courses at schools such as Realdo Colombo and Vida, as well as activities in other schools across Cremona Province. That educational role continues today. The club promotes chess both at its permanent venue and through cooperation with schools and community initiatives. Junior tournaments are integrated into the program. For example, the club’s participation in the Giovedì d’Estate 2026 included a dedicated Under-14 tournament with separate Under-10 and Under-14 standings. Young players can therefore move from introductory lessons into internal competitions, FSI membership, Rapid and Blitz tournaments, and eventually classical and team chess. The association’s current structure places particular emphasis on keeping younger players involved beyond their first chess course. Consequently, lessons, tournaments, federation membership, and club activity work together as one development pathway.

♜ Team Chess and Competitive Activity

Accademia Scacchistica Cremonese has returned to a multi-team structure in the Campionato Italiano a Squadre (CIS). For 2026, the club entered two separate squads. Its first team competed in Serie C, Group 21, after earning promotion during the previous season. The lineup included experienced players such as Marco Salami, Bini, Fabrizio Leoni, Rosolino Tonghini, Simone Varini, and Antonio Volpati. The first team completed its 2026 Serie C group in second place, scoring eight match points. Therefore, ASC remained competitive immediately after promotion. The club also entered a second team in the regional Promozione division. That squad deliberately combined younger and less experienced competitors with established club members. Players included Leonardo Solci, Arturo Bellingeri, Tiberio Poli, Nicola Marchiano, Alfredo De Falco, Riccardo Cavaliere, Amedeo Artioli, and others. This two-team structure supports both performance and development. Stronger players can compete in national-level divisions, while newer members gain experience in official team chess.

🏆 Memorial Tournaments and Club Competition

Tournament organization has become increasingly important again at the Accademia. The club now maintains several recurring competitions throughout the year. The Memorial Angelo Mussap reached its 11th edition in 2026. The tournament uses a Rapid format and commemorates a former member of the Accademia. In addition, the club organizes the Memorial Antonio Palmas, another recurring competition dedicated to a former ASC member. A newer project is Scacchi al Filo, a FIDE-rated classical tournament held at the Società Filodrammatica Cremonese. The event gives club members and visiting players another opportunity to play Standard-rated chess directly at ASC’s normal headquarters. The club also organizes shorter Rapid and promotional events. For example, 2026 activities included Chess & Padel, the Under-14 Giovedì d’Estate tournament, and summer public chess sessions in Piazza Roma. Consequently, ASC now offers competition across Standard, Rapid, Blitz, junior, social, and team formats.

🌟 Festival Internazionale Memorial Giuseppe Sgargi

The Festival Internazionale “Memorial Giuseppe Sgargi” has become the association’s flagship international tournament. The event honors Giuseppe Sgargi, one of ASC’s five founders and its first President. The club launched the modern festival in 2025, bringing a substantial FIDE-rated international competition back to central Cremona. The second edition took place from May 1–3, 2026 in the historic halls of Palazzo Comunale, Piazza del Comune. The tournament used two sections: Open A for players rated above 1799 and Open B for players below 1800. Players competed over six Swiss rounds with a classical time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Moreover, the organizers offered a €5,000 total prize fund and limited participation to 100 players. The Municipality of Cremona provided its patronage and supported the use of the prestigious city-center venue. However, Accademia Scacchistica Cremonese remained the direct organizer. Entry fees went to the association itself, while ASC managed registrations, accommodation partnerships, tournament communication, and participant services. The festival represents an important new stage in the club’s development. It connects ASC’s historical identity with a renewed ambition to bring international competitive chess to Cremona.

🤝 Chess in the Cremona Community

The Accademia participates actively in public life beyond formal tournaments. One recurring project is Giovedì d’Estate, a city-center summer program that combines entertainment, cultural activity, sport, and local businesses. In July 2026, ASC again established a chess area near the Pagoda in Piazza Roma. Visitors could play casual games, receive advice from experienced players, learn about chess courses, and watch or participate in youth competition. The club also collaborates with other local facilities. Its 2025–2026 program included activities at Cremona Pala Padel, while the Municipality of Cremona supported the Memorial Giuseppe Sgargi international festival. These activities allow the association to reach players who might not initially visit a traditional chess club. At the same time, its permanent venue at Società Filodrammatica provides continuity for members who want structured training and regular competition.