Comitato Organizzatore Manifestazioni Scacchistiche

♟️ About Comitato Organizzatore Manifestazioni Scacchistiche

Comitato Organizzatore Manifestazioni Scacchistiche is an Italian chess event organization based in Arco, Trentino. It operates publicly through the ArcoWorldChess name and focuses on organizing over-the-board chess tournaments, international opens, senior championships, and multi-day chess festivals. Its home city of Arco has developed a particularly strong connection with international tournament chess through the long-running Open Città di Arco. The committee’s tournament activity extends beyond Arco and Trentino. ArcoWorldChess has been involved in major chess events in several Italian regions, including international championships in Acqui Terme, Assisi, and Gallipoli. Its events commonly combine FIDE-rated competition with accommodation arrangements, live games, side events, player services, and practical assistance for international visitors. A central figure in the organization is Cristina Pernici Rigo, a FIDE International Arbiter and International Organizer. She has extensive experience as both a tournament organizer and arbiter at international level. Her work includes World and European senior championships as well as established Italian international opens. She serves as the principal contact for ArcoWorldChess and continues to direct major tournament projects.

🏆 International Tournaments & Championships

The International Chess Open Città di Arco is one of the committee’s flagship events. In 2026, the festival reaches its 48th edition, running at the Casinò Municipale di Arco. The event attracts players from Italy and abroad and combines FIDE-rated classical chess with live game transmission, side activities, and rating-based competition. The organization is also connected with the International Chess Open Condino–Borgo Chiese, another established event in Trentino. These tournaments help maintain a regular international chess program in the region while providing opportunities for club players, titled players, juniors, seniors, and visiting competitors. Beyond traditional opens, ArcoWorldChess has substantial experience with major senior championships. Its international activity has included the FIDE World Senior Chess Championship 2022 in Assisi and the FIDE World Senior Individual Chess Championships 2025 in Gallipoli. In 2026, Cristina Pernici Rigo served as Tournament Director of the European Senior Individual Chess Championship in Acqui Terme, which brought together nearly 250 players from 34 European federations.

🌍 Tournament Organization & Player Experience

Comitato Organizzatore Manifestazioni Scacchistiche focuses on complete tournament organization rather than only the competitive schedule. Its events typically include registration management, playing-hall preparation, arbiters, accommodation coordination, live game coverage, participant information, and support for players arriving from abroad. The organization also has experience with large international fields and destination-based tournaments. Events in places such as Arco, Acqui Terme, Assisi, and Gallipoli combine serious competitive chess with accommodation, tourism, and local cultural activities. Accessibility has also featured prominently in recent events. The Open Città di Arco promotes participation by players with mobility and visual disabilities and uses electronic chessboards for extensive live transmission.

🏅 History & Achievements

Cristina Pernici Rigo has been active at international level for decades. FIDE records identify her as an International Arbiter since 1998 and an International Organizer since 2001. Her organizing record includes major World Senior events. Arco hosted the FIDE World Senior Chess Championship in 2010, while later championship projects took place in other Italian destinations. The 2022 World Senior Championship in Assisi, organized by Cristina Pernici Rigo through ArcoWorldChess, attracted 345 players from 53 national federations. In 2022, FIDE recognized Cristina Pernici Rigo with its Outstanding Chess Organiser award during the Year of the Woman in Chess Awards. The organization continued its major-event activity with the FIDE World Senior Individual Chess Championships 2025 in Gallipoli, working alongside Chess Projects. In 2026, the European Senior Individual Championship in Acqui Terme further extended this international senior-chess program. Meanwhile, the annual Arco tournament remains an important part of the organization’s identity. Its 48th edition in 2026 demonstrates the longevity of international tournament chess in Arco and the committee’s continuing role in that tradition.