Europe’s Best Chess Minds Converge in Montenegro for the 2024 European Championship!

The European Individual Chess Championship, a prestigious event showcasing Europe’s top chess talent, began its exciting journey in 2000 and has only grown in prominence and allure. Each year, it gathers the continent's best players for a fiercely competitive series, and the 2024 edition in Petrovac, Montenegro, promises to be one of the most thrilling yet.

A Brief History of the Championship

Since its inception, the championship has hosted countless elite players and has crowned many who would go on to shape the international chess scene:

• 2000: The first edition in Saint-Vincent, Italy, saw France’s Robert Fontaine take home the inaugural title.
• 2005: Romanian GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu claimed victory, marking a high point in his career.
• 2013: GM Alexander Moiseenko of Ukraine won after a tiebreak, a moment that highlighted the nail-biting competition that this championship often produces.
• 2019: Russian GM Vladislav Artemiev triumphed in Skopje, North Macedonia, edging out Nils Grandelius with an impressive 8.5/11 score.
• 2023: Alexey Sarana, playing under the FIDE flag, clinched the title in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia, after an electrifying final round.

This history of fierce rivalry and stunning gameplay sets the stage for an intense 2024 championship, as some of Europe’s most notable players return to compete alongside ambitious newcomers.

Format and Schedule

The championship runs over 11 rounds using the Swiss system, which ensures a fair and balanced progression. Each player has 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, with an additional 30 minutes until the end of the game, plus a 30-second increment per move from the start. This rigorous time control promises high-quality play and many thrilling endgames.

Players to Watch and the Stakes

This year’s tournament has attracted nearly 400 players from 42 federations, including:

• 120 Grandmasters(GMs)
• 85 International Masters(IMs)
• 71 FIDE Masters(FMs)
• 11 women’s chess masters, including Women Grandmasters (WGMs) and Women International Masters (WIMs).

High-rated players such as Vladimir Fedoseev (2712), Bogdan-Daniel Deac (2687), Jorden Van Foreest (2687), and David Navara (2674) are among the top competitors to watch, each bringing unique strengths and styles to the board. For the participants, the stakes are high, with a €100,000 prize fund up for grabs and €20,000 awarded to the champion. Beyond monetary rewards, the top 20 players will qualify for the 2025 FIDE World Cup, an essential gateway to global competition and a chance to compete for world titles.

Live Coverage and Event Highlights

The opening ceremony took place on November 8th, setting a grand stage for the rounds to follow. Fans worldwide can tune into the action via ECU TV and YouTube, where commentary from GM Alojzije Jankovic and Dragana Nikolovska brings insightful analysis and updates on key games.

With a dynamic mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, the 2024 European Individual Chess Championship is a must-watch event, promising high-stakes battles, brilliant tactical play, and a chance to witness the shaping of Europe’s next chess legends.