♟️ About the Organizer

Chania Chess Academy, officially known in Greek as Σκακιστική Ακαδημία Χανίων (ΣΑΧ), is a chess club, training academy, and tournament organizer based in Chania, Crete, Greece. The academy was founded in 1997 by a group of local chess enthusiasts who viewed chess not only as a competitive sport but also as an educational tool for developing children’s thinking, discipline, confidence, and decision-making skills. Since its establishment, the academy has developed chess programs for children from approximately five years of age and has worked with primary schools, kindergartens, childcare centres, municipal libraries, parents’ associations, and local authorities. Its activities have helped introduce organized chess to a broad section of the Chania community and support the development of young players across western Crete.

🏆 Tournaments and Competitive Chess

Chania Chess Academy organizes major national and international over-the-board competitions in cooperation with municipalities, regional authorities, the Greek Chess Federation, local cultural organizations, and tournament partners. Its principal events include the Paleochora International Chess Tournament, held annually in Paleochora, and the International Open Chess Tournament “Mikis Theodorakis”, staged in the city of Chania. The 2026 editions were the 19th Paleochora International Tournament and the fifth Mikis Theodorakis International Tournament. Both events offer FIDE-rated classical competition and attract titled players, club competitors, junior players, and international visitors. The academy also organizes or supports rapid and blitz tournaments, student championships, youth events, local competitions, and team chess. Its senior team has competed in Greece’s top national team division, while academy players regularly participate in Greek youth, school, team, European, and international championships.

🌱 Chess Education and Player Development

Youth training remains central to the academy’s work. Its programs combine structured lessons with regular tournament participation, helping students progress from introductory chess to regional, national, and international competition. Academy players have earned leading positions in Greek youth and school championships and have represented Greece at major international events. The club emphasizes long-term development through its own training system rather than relying primarily on player transfers. This approach gives locally developed players opportunities to represent the academy in individual and team competitions. Konstantinos Tsarouhas is closely associated with the academy as a coach, player, team representative, arbiter, and tournament organizer. Current tournament records identify him as a director of both the Mikis Theodorakis and Paleochora international events. Through education, competitive play, and international tournament organization, Chania Chess Academy continues to serve as an important centre for chess in Chania and throughout Crete.