♟️ About La Tour, Prends Garde!

La Tour, Prends Garde! (LTPG) is a chess club serving Olivet and Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin, near Orléans in the Loiret department of France. The Fédération Française des Échecs registers the organization as CE St Pryvé-Olivet – La Tour Prends Garde, under club code G45030. Its program combines competitive chess, youth and adult training, team competition, tournaments, holiday courses, and recreational play.

The club’s current presentation dates its creation to 1991. Serge Dimier played a fundamental role as the club’s founder and long-standing driving force. He taught generations of players and remained deeply involved in club life for many years. After his death on May 4, 2015, the club preserved his legacy through its principal international tournament, the Open International Serge Dimier.

Jérémy Vignelles currently serves as President of La Tour, Prends Garde! His involvement with the club began as a young player in 2001, when Serge Dimier and Thierry Balandier were among his instructors. The current leadership also includes Eric Vignelles as Treasurer, while Thierry Bernardin and Benoit Labandibar contribute to chess instruction and club activities.

🏆 Open International Serge Dimier

The Open International Serge Dimier is one of La Tour, Prends Garde!’s principal annual competitions. The tournament commemorates the club’s founder while bringing together players from the Loiret and other parts of France for a multi-day FIDE-rated event.

The 11ème Open International Serge Dimier 2026 takes place from October 30 to November 1 at L’Alliage in Olivet. La Tour, Prends Garde! organizes the competition together with the Comité Départemental du Jeu d’Échecs du Loiret (CDJE45).

The event features six Swiss-system classical rounds at 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Open A welcomes players without an upper rating restriction, while Open B provides a separate competition for players below the published rating threshold. Moreover, the tournament determines the Loiret Individual Championship among eligible players.

The Open has developed considerably. The 2024 edition attracted 115 players, while the organizers provided separate playing, analysis, and refreshment areas. Live boards also allowed spectators to follow leading games. Consequently, the Serge Dimier Open has become an established part of the regional chess calendar.

♜ Team Chess and Competitive Development

Team competition forms a major part of LTPG’s sporting program. The Fédération Française des Échecs currently lists the club’s leading adult team in Nationale 3.

The club also fields additional teams at other competitive levels. This structure gives experienced players strong national competition while allowing developing members to gain regular match experience.

Youth team chess is equally important. La Tour, Prends Garde! currently competes in Nationale 2 Jeunes, placing its junior team within France’s national youth league structure.

Furthermore, the club participates in competitions such as the Coupe Jean-Claude Loubatière and other departmental or regional team events. Therefore, members can progress from lessons and internal games into official federation competition.

🎓 Chess Training and Player Development

La Tour, Prends Garde! maintains an extensive weekly training schedule across Olivet and Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin. The program serves beginners, developing juniors, experienced tournament players, and adults.

Young beginners and intermediate players attend weekday sessions in Saint-Pryvé and Olivet. On Saturdays, the club provides separate groups for beginners and competition-oriented juniors. Meanwhile, adults can attend structured exercises, advanced training, and free-play sessions.

Thierry Bernardin leads training for experienced players and adults, while Benoit Labandibar works with beginners and developing juniors. Jérémy Vignelles also teaches young beginners on Saturdays.

In addition, the club organizes holiday chess courses together with CDJE45. The 2026 summer program includes sessions for children, teenagers, and adults, with separate activities for initiation and improvement. Consequently, new players can enter the club at beginner level and gradually move toward competitive chess.

🧒 Youth Chess and Chess for Everyone

Youth development has remained central to La Tour, Prends Garde! since its earliest years. Serge Dimier devoted considerable time to teaching children, and the current club continues that educational tradition through several weekly junior sessions.

The organization also emphasizes accessibility. Its official presentation describes a commitment to making chess available regardless of age, gender, or disability. The main Olivet playing venue provides access for people with reduced mobility.

Furthermore, the club combines serious competition with more informal chess activities. Its program has included themed tournaments, holiday events, outdoor chess, summer sessions, and recreational competitions.

This approach reflects one of the club’s long-standing principles: players should improve and compete while continuing to enjoy the game.

☀️ Community Chess and L’Été des Échecs

La Tour, Prends Garde! takes chess beyond its regular clubrooms through public activities in Olivet and neighboring communities.

One recurring initiative is L’Été des Échecs, which brings outdoor chess to Olivet during the summer. Players can discover the game, practice, or receive advice in a relaxed public setting. The club continued this program throughout summer 2026.

LTPG also works closely with CDJE45 on training courses, youth championships, and departmental events. In addition, the club has hosted Loiret youth championship competitions at Espace Reine Blanche.

The club currently has a substantial federation membership. The FFE records 87 Licence A members and 61 Licence B members, reflecting activity across both competitive and recreational chess.