Jan-Krzysztof Duda at European Games. European Pair Blitz Chess Championship 2023 as a side event

Two days before the official start of the European Games, on Monday, June 19, we will witness a real chess feast. The European Pair Blitz Chess Championship, held at the Krakow Opera House, will be one of the biggest side events of the summer sports celebration. Poland will be represented by the number 1 chess player on the Polish FIDE ranking list, World Cup winner, Jan-Krzysztof Duda.

Friday, April 14, brought another exciting news regarding this year’s European Games. At a press conference at the Hotel Francuski in Krakow, we learned about one of the side events of the largest multi-sport event. The meeting was attended by Kamila Kałużna-Turcza – President of the Board of Directors of the Malopolska Chess Federation, Łukasz Turlej – Secretary General of the International Chess Federation FIDE, Janusz Kozioł – Representative of the Mayor of the City of Kraków for the Development of Physical Culture and Vice President of the European Games 2023 company, Andrzej Matusiak – President of the Board of Directors of the Silesian Chess Federation, and a chess star who needs no introduction, Jan-Krzysztof Duda – World Cup winner.

The European Pairs Championship will be held on June 19 at the Krakow Opera House. The event, organized by the Malopolska Chess Union and the Silesian Chess Union, under the auspices of the European Chess Union ECU, the International Chess Federation FIDE and the Polish Chess Federation, will feature the 8 leading chess federations with the best average FIDE ranking of pairs as of 1.03.2023: Poland, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, France, Romania, Germany, Armenia and Netherlands. Each team will consist of one player above 2650 (classical classification) and one female player above 2350 (classical classification). Poland will be represented by the number 1 chess player on the Polish FIDE ranking list, Jan-Krzysztof Duda. We don’t know yet, who will be his partner.

“Our outstanding player will appear in Krakow, and it would be a huge sin if we did not take advantage of this situation on the occasion of the European Games. I am glad that chess has entered the programme of accompanying events, and I hope that this is only a prelude to organising major world chess events in Krakow. We will host top players at the European Championships. We believe in its great sporting value, and by using the image of Jan-Krzysztof Duda, it will be at the same time a huge promotional support of the European Games,” stressed Janusz Koziol, Vice President of the Organising Committee of the 2023 European Games.

Jan-Krzysztof Duda also did not hide his excitement. “I am very happy that the Games will be held in Krakow, and will be accompanied by a unique cultural event, which is a chess tournament. I’ve never played in a pair before, so it will be a new and interesting experience for me and, as always, I will give my best. I sincerely hope for the support and cheering of the fans. I’m looking forward to it,” said chess player.

We are already inviting everyone to this prestigious chess tournament, as well as to any event in the 29 sports that have appeared in the programme of the European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023. From June 21 to July 2, we will experience unforgettable sports emotions – you can’t miss it!