European Club Cup Begins in Budva with Over 100 Teams

The European Club Cup is being held in Budva, Montenegro, from October 17 to 23, after a last-minute venue change from Herceg Novi due to necessary renovations at Hotel Medun.

This year's tournament has attracted 108 teams in the open section, an increase from the previous year, and is gaining popularity among amateur players who have the chance to compete against professional teams.

The event is structured similarly to a Chess Olympiad but allows broader participation, with federations permitted to enter multiple teams. Notably, the competition format involves six boards, making it accessible for more players. The absence of Russian teams, due to their suspension from the European Chess Union, has shifted the competitive landscape, with teams from Turkey and Macedonia now leading the starting list.