{"id":39483,"date":"2025-10-21T18:45:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T18:45:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/?p=39483"},"modified":"2025-10-21T19:57:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T19:57:45","slug":"2nd-fide-chess-olympiad-for-people-with-disabilities-day-2-a-celebration-of-strength-connection-and-power-of-chess","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/2nd-fide-chess-olympiad-for-people-with-disabilities-day-2-a-celebration-of-strength-connection-and-power-of-chess\/","title":{"rendered":"2nd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities, Day 2: A celebration of strength, connection, and power of chess"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The atmosphere at the Paralympic Training Centre in Astana remains full of energy and inspiration as the 2nd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities continues into its second day.<\/p>

For many players, simply being here is already a victory \u2013 a triumph of willpower and perseverance over life\u2019s challenges. Each move made across the chessboards carries a deeper meaning: determination, pride, and unity.<\/p>

Ceremonial first move with a message<\/strong><\/p>

At the start of \u00a0Round 2, the ceremonial first move was made by the Ambassador of Venezuela to Kazakhstan, Rosalba Lo Bu\u00e9 Antico, together with FIDE Deputy Chair of the Management Board, WGM Dana Reizniece.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Ambassador Lo Bu\u00e9 Antico shared a heartfelt message about the event\u2019s importance:<\/p>

\u201cToday, in this 2nd Paralympiad for People with Disabilities, we see with great promise the possibility that Venezuela can develop major projects to promote chess \u2013 not only for people with disabilities, but also through educational programs in Venezuelan schools. Kazakhstan is a worthy example for Venezuela and the world.\u201d<\/p>

Her words reflected the spirit of the Olympiad \u2013 an event that transcends competition and aims to make chess a global force for inclusion and opportunity.<\/p>

Dana Reizniece, who also made the ceremonial first move, expressed deep admiration for the players and organizers:<\/p>

\u201cFor me, it is not only 34 teams representing countries \u2013 for me, it\u2019s 34 teams of people who are champions of their lives. They have a super strong character, and they are very humble. When you speak with them, you see it.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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She praised the work behind the event\u2019s organization:<\/p>

\u201cThe local organizers here in Kazakhstan made it possible not only with finances \u2013 thanks to Freedom Finance, the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, Astana Municipality, and the Government \u2013 but also by being brave enough to organize such an event.\u201d<\/p>

Reflecting on the Olympiad\u2019s evolution, Dana Reizniece added:<\/p>

\u201cMany things have been improved. We know that there are many things that we can do even better \u2013 for example, invite more teams and provide this opportunity to play for even more countries worldwide.\u201d<\/p>

And on the inclusivity of chess, she concluded:<\/p>

\u201cChess is, if not the, then one of the most inclusive sports \u2013 where people with disabilities or special abilities can play at the same level as professional players who have dedicated their whole lives to the game.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Inside the venue: Focus, friendship, and power of chess<\/strong><\/p>

The Paralympic Training Centre in Astana \u2013 one of the most advanced accessible sports facilities in Central Asia \u2013 has become not only the stage for intense chess battles, but also a welcoming home for connection and community.<\/p>

Beyond the playing hall, the resting area offers players a place to relax, analyze games, and socialize. The atmosphere is warm and uplifting \u2013 filled with conversation, laughter, and mutual respect.<\/p>

When asked to describe chess in one word, players offered answers that capture the essence of the game:
\u201cLife. Love. Luck. Tenacity. Enjoyment. Pressure. Emotion. Equality.\u201d<\/p>

\"\"<\/pre>
For many, chess has been more than just a sport \u2013 it\u2019s been a lifeline. As Roberto Fernando El\u00edas, the Argentinian Chess Champion for the Blind, shared:<\/p>
\u201cI\u2019ve had my disability since the age of six. I believe that chess helped me avoid isolation and dedicate my time to a wonderful sport like chess. I\u2019d like to express my gratitude to FIDE for creating this event.\u201d<\/p>
His words mirror the feelings of many players who see this Olympiad as not only a competition, but a celebration \u2013 a place where friendships are formed and the joy of chess shines through.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Position of the day: The art of trading pieces<\/strong><\/p>
Many players believe that trading pieces leads to equality or draws. However, as today\u2019s position of the day shows, every trade must be carefully evaluated.<\/p>
In the game between Axadxon Kimsanboyev (Uzbekistan) and Valeria Simone (Argentina), a critical mome nt arose:<\/p>
\"\"<\/pre>
Black offered a bishop trade with 21. \u2026 Be5?<\/strong> to defend her d6-paw (21\u2026Re5, sacrificing an exchange was a better option). Although logical, this decision proved costly \u2013 after the bishops exchange 22. Bxe5 Rxe5<\/strong> the rook was kicked from the e5 with 23. f4 Re7<\/strong> while Black\u2019s dark-square became extremely vulnerable. A precise knight jump to f6 \u2013 24. Nf6+ Kg7?<\/strong>, followed by 25. Qc3<\/strong>, sealed the fate of the game and the Argentinean player resigned, facing deadly threats.<\/p>
\"\"<\/pre>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This instructive moment reminded everyone that in chess \u2013 as in life \u2013 not all trades are equal. Every exchange carries consequences, and true mastery lies in knowing when to simplify and when to keep the tension.<\/p>
Round 2 results<\/strong><\/p>
After two rounds, seven teams \u2013 Poland, USA, Cuba, Israel, Philippines, IBCA, and FIDE 1 \u2013 are in the lead with a perfect 4\/4 score.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Full results and pairings for Round 3 are available on Chess-Results<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>
A message beyond the board<\/strong><\/p>
As the 2nd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities unfolds, it continues to highlight the unifying power of chess \u2013 a game where every move counts, and every participant inspires. For the players, organizers, and everyone watching, the message is clear: The board has no boundaries \u2013 and the spirit of the game belongs to everyone.<\/p>
Official website:\u00a0dis-olympiad2025.fide.com\/<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The atmosphere at the Paralympic Training Centre in Astana remains full of energy and inspiration as the 2nd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities continues into its second day. For many players, simply being here is already a victory \u2013 a triumph of willpower and perseverance over life\u2019s challenges. Each move made across the chessboards carries a deeper meaning: determination, pride, and unity. Ceremonial first move with a message At the start of \u00a0Round 2, the ceremonial first move was made by the Ambassador of Venezuela to Kazakhstan, Rosalba Lo Bu\u00e9 Antico, together with FIDE Deputy Chair of the Management Board, WGM Dana Reizniece. Ambassador Lo Bu\u00e9 Antico shared a heartfelt message about the event\u2019s importance: \u201cToday, in this 2nd Paralympiad for People with Disabilities, we see with great promise the possibility that Venezuela can develop major projects to promote chess \u2013 not only for people with disabilities, but also through educational programs in Venezuelan schools. Kazakhstan is a worthy example for Venezuela and the world.\u201d Her words reflected the spirit of the Olympiad \u2013 an event that transcends competition and aims to make chess a global force for inclusion and opportunity. Dana Reizniece, who also made the ceremonial first move, expressed deep admiration for the players and organizers: \u201cFor me, it is not only 34 teams representing countries \u2013 for me, it\u2019s 34 teams of people who are champions of their lives. They have a super strong character, and they are very humble. When you speak with them, you see it.\u201d She praised the work behind the event\u2019s organization: \u201cThe local organizers here in Kazakhstan made it possible not only with finances \u2013 thanks to Freedom Finance, the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, Astana Municipality, and the Government \u2013 but also by being brave enough to organize such an event.\u201d Reflecting on the Olympiad\u2019s evolution, Dana Reizniece added: \u201cMany things have been improved. We know that there are many things that we can do even better \u2013 for example, invite more teams and provide this opportunity to play for even more countries worldwide.\u201d And on the inclusivity of chess, she concluded: \u201cChess is, if not the, then one of the most inclusive sports \u2013 where people with disabilities or special abilities can play at the same level as professional players who have dedicated their whole lives to the game.\u201d Inside the venue: Focus, friendship, and power of chess The Paralympic Training Centre in Astana \u2013 one of the most advanced accessible sports facilities in Central Asia \u2013 has become not only the stage for intense chess battles, but also a welcoming home for connection and community. Beyond the playing hall, the resting area offers players a place to relax, analyze games, and socialize. The atmosphere is warm and uplifting \u2013 filled with conversation, laughter, and mutual respect. When asked to describe chess in one word, players offered answers that capture the essence of the game:\u201cLife. Love. Luck. Tenacity. Enjoyment. Pressure. Emotion. Equality.\u201d For many, chess has been more than just a sport \u2013 it\u2019s been a lifeline. As Roberto Fernando El\u00edas, the Argentinian Chess Champion for the Blind, shared: \u201cI\u2019ve had my disability since the age of six. I believe that chess helped me avoid isolation and dedicate my time to a wonderful sport like chess. I\u2019d like to express my gratitude to FIDE for creating this event.\u201d His words mirror the feelings of many players who see this Olympiad as not only a competition, but a celebration \u2013 a place where friendships are formed and the joy of chess shines through. Position of the day: The art of trading pieces Many players believe that trading pieces leads to equality or draws. However, as today\u2019s position of the day shows, every trade must be carefully evaluated. In the game between Axadxon Kimsanboyev (Uzbekistan) and Valeria Simone (Argentina), a critical mome nt arose: Black offered a bishop trade with 21. \u2026 Be5? to defend her d6-paw (21\u2026Re5, sacrificing an exchange was a better option). Although logical, this decision proved costly \u2013 after the bishops exchange 22. Bxe5 Rxe5 the rook was kicked from the e5 with 23. f4 Re7 while Black\u2019s dark-square became extremely vulnerable. A precise knight jump to f6 \u2013 24. Nf6+ Kg7?, followed by 25. Qc3, sealed the fate of the game and the Argentinean player resigned, facing deadly threats. This instructive moment reminded everyone that in chess \u2013 as in life \u2013 not all trades are equal. Every exchange carries consequences, and true mastery lies in knowing when to simplify and when to keep the tension. Round 2 results After two rounds, seven teams \u2013 Poland, USA, Cuba, Israel, Philippines, IBCA, and FIDE 1 \u2013 are in the lead with a perfect 4\/4 score. Full results and pairings for Round 3 are available on Chess-Results. A message beyond the board As the 2nd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities unfolds, it continues to highlight the unifying power of chess \u2013 a game where every move counts, and every participant inspires. For the players, organizers, and everyone watching, the message is clear: The board has no boundaries \u2013 and the spirit of the game belongs to everyone. Official website:\u00a0dis-olympiad2025.fide.com\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":39492,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[158,415],"regular":[],"sticky-post":[358],"class_list":["post-39483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chess-news","tag-chess-olympiad","tag-chessfordisabled","sticky-post-sticky"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39483"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39483\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39519,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39483\/revisions\/39519"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39483"},{"taxonomy":"regular","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/regular?post=39483"},{"taxonomy":"sticky-post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sticky-post?post=39483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}