♟️ About the Organizer

ASD Accademia Scacchi Ragusa is an amateur sports association based in Ragusa, Sicily, Italy. The organization was founded in May 2017 with the aim of promoting chess among children, young players, adults, and beginners. It is affiliated with the Italian Chess Federation, where it holds club code 15109. The association also appears in Italy’s national register of amateur sports organizations.

The academy operates from Pala Parisi in Ragusa. Its club venue provides a regular meeting place for lessons, practice games, social activities, and tournament preparation. Moreover, the association welcomes both experienced competitors and people who are discovering chess for the first time. The club combines competitive chess with educational and community activities. Its program has included classical tournaments, FIDE-rated rapid events, junior competitions, school championships, courses, simultaneous exhibitions, and public chess demonstrations. Therefore, members can develop their skills through both structured training and practical competition.

Prof. Francesco Criscione serves as president and legal representative of the association. He also acts as a principal organizer and contact person for many of its tournaments. In addition, he represents the academy within provincial and regional chess activities. Official federation records continue to identify him as the club’s president and team representative.

ASD Accademia Scacchi Ragusa regularly cooperates with the Circolo Scacchi “Pippo Fasino” of Comiso. Their collaboration supports tournaments across the Province of Ragusa and creates more opportunities for local players. The academy also works with schools, municipal institutions, parishes, sports organizations, and community partners.

🏆 Tournaments and Chess Events

The academy organizes a varied program of chess tournaments in Ragusa and nearby communities. Its activities include official FIDE-rated competitions as well as accessible events for club players and newcomers. The organizers publish regulations, registration instructions, schedules, and participant information before each event. The Rapid FIDE “Piazza Malta” has become one of the academy’s principal annual tournaments. The competition takes place in Marina di Ragusa and attracts players from several Sicilian provinces and other parts of Italy. It offers FIDE rapid rating, cash prizes, rating-category awards, and a separate prize for a leading junior.

The fifth edition takes place on August 9, 2026. It forms the third stage of an interprovincial Grand Prix connecting Siracusa, Rosolini, Ragusa, and Comiso. Players complete six rounds at a time control of 12 minutes plus three seconds per move. Furthermore, the Municipality of Ragusa supports the competition through its official patronage.

The Rapid FIDE “Aspettando il Natale” provides another recurring rated event. The academy normally schedules the tournament near the end of the year. Recent editions have included overall prizes, a junior award, and prizes for players within selected rating categories. As a result, the event gives both stronger competitors and developing players meaningful competitive goals.

The annual San Francesco Rapid Tournament offers a more informal competition in Ragusa. It forms part of the celebrations connected with the Parish of San Francesco d’Assisi. The event welcomes anyone who understands the rules, including players without an active federation membership. In addition, part of the registration income has supported humanitarian and charitable activities.

The academy has also organized several editions of the Ragusa Provincial Championship with Circolo Scacchi “Pippo Fasino.” These classical tournaments form part of the qualification structure for the Italian Absolute Chess Championship. They use longer time controls and provide FIDE-rated competition for adult and junior players. Team chess represents another important part of the club’s competitive program. Its teams compete under the names Atletico–Zugzwang and Atletico–Zeitnot. Both teams earned promotion to Serie C during the 2025 Italian Team Chess Championship. Federation documentation then confirmed their right to compete in Serie C during the 2026 season.

The organizers use established chess platforms for advance registration and participant management. They also provide clear information about eligibility, federation membership, time controls, prizes, and rating status. Consequently, players can prepare for each tournament with reliable official information.

🌱 Chess Training, Youth and Community Development

Chess instruction forms an important part of the academy’s wider mission. Its activities have included beginner courses, intermediate courses, focused study sessions, and regular club practice. New members can learn the rules and basic principles, while established players can improve their tactical and strategic understanding. The academy creates dedicated competitive opportunities for young players. Its Chess Talent Scout series is designed for participants under 18. The competition gives juniors several structured games and introduces them to tournament procedures in a supportive club environment. Previous editions have taken place at the academy’s Pala Parisi venue.

In March 2026, the academy helped organize the Ragusa Provincial Youth Championship. The event covered the official Italian youth age categories and used a Swiss pairing system. Furthermore, it gave young players a route into the wider national junior championship structure. The association also supports chess in schools. In 2026, it acted as the organizing sports association for the provincial phase of the Trofeo Scacchi Scuola. This team competition allows pupils to represent their schools and gain experience in formal tournament play. Therefore, the academy helps connect classroom chess with federation competition.

Community outreach extends beyond conventional club and school activities. The academy led the project “Si sbaglia ma non si deve restare sbagliati” at the Ragusa correctional facility. Federation instructors delivered free weekly chess sessions for participating inmates. The program used chess to develop concentration, respect for rules, responsible decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

The academy also brings chess into public spaces. Its activities have included giant chessboards, interactive lessons, information stands, and informal games during municipal sports initiatives. These events allow children, adults, residents, and visitors to approach chess without first joining a club or entering a tournament. Through tournaments, team competition, youth development, school projects, and community outreach, ASD Accademia Scacchi Ragusa serves a broad local audience. Beginners can learn in an accessible setting. Meanwhile, experienced players can compete in official FIDE- and FSI-rated events throughout the year.