European Club Cup Kicks Off in Budva with Record Participation

The 41st European Chess Club Cup and the 30th European Women's Chess Club Cup began on October 17 in Budva, Montenegro, with a record total of 130 teams participating. The open section includes 108 teams, while 22 teams are competing in the women's event. Both tournaments will follow a seven-round Swiss system, concluding on October 23.

Leading teams started strong, with three teams—Vugar Gashimov, Tuxena, and Alkaloid—achieving 6–0 victories in their matches. Notable players include Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the highest-rated competitor at 2780 Elo, along with Wei Yi and Anish Giri. Wei Yi has already secured two wins, including a notable victory against Hilmir Heimisson.

In the women's tournament, Cercle d’Echecs de Monte-Carlo, Mitrovica, and Bonnevoie are co-leaders after winning their initial matches. Aleksandra Goryachkina, the top-rated female player at 2536 Elo, represents Monte-Carlo and won her first match against Bodhana Sivanandan, who plays for She Plays to Win Lionesses A.