Inaugural Pia Cramling Cup and DGT Board Operator Seminar Held in Stockholm
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess successfully co-organized the first-ever Pia Cramling Cup along with a DGT Board Operator Certification Seminar in Stockholm, Sweden. Both events were held alongside the famous Rilton Cup, adding extra energy and importance to the occasion.
Pia Cramling Cup: A Special Beginning
The inaugural Pia Cramling Cup took place on January 2 in cooperation with Pia Cramling and the Stockholm Chess Federation. It was a 7-round FIDE-rated rapid tournament featuring 38 girls and women from seven different countries.
The tournament offered free entry, making it accessible to more players. This reflected the FIDE Commission’s strong commitment to creating real opportunities for girls and women in chess.
Honouring a Chess Legend
The Pia Cramling Cup was more than just a tournament. It was a tribute to Pia Cramling, one of the greatest figures in women’s chess history.
A former World No.1, Pia Cramling has inspired generations with her achievements and dedication. Her presence at the event motivated every participant and reminded them that hard work, belief, and ambition can lead to success both on and off the board.
Tournament Results
After exciting games, the tournament concluded with these results:
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🥇 Winner: Agnesa Stepania Ter-Avetisjana (Latvia)
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🥈 Second Place: Irina Tetenkina (Sweden)
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🥉 Third Place: Susanne Hansson (Sweden)
From the youngest player, Miya Sundell, to the oldest participant, Paula Svensson, the event showed how chess brings women of all ages together in a shared space of learning, respect, and competition.
Connecting Generations Through Chess
The event atmosphere became even more special as Anna Cramling, WFM and one of the world’s most popular chess content creators, was playing in the Rilton Cup at the same time.
The connection between generations was highlighted when Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, made the ceremonial first move on Anna Cramling’s board.
Together, Pia and Anna Cramling continue to introduce chess to wider audiences in a fresh, engaging, and authentic way.
DGT Board Operator Certification Seminar
The DGT Board Operator Seminar was held from January 3–4 at the Scandic Continental Hotel, the same venue as the Rilton Cup.
The seminar was organized by DGT (Digital Game Technology) in cooperation with the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess, the Stockholm Chess Federation, and the Rilton Cup organizers.
A total of 26 participants from eight countries attended: Sweden, Mexico, Latvia, Denmark, Iceland, Romania, Portugal, and Slovenia.
A major highlight was the strong female participation, with 14 women taking part. This supports the Commission’s mission to improve gender balance in technical and professional chess roles.
To encourage participation, the Commission fully waived the seminar fees for all women, making high-level technical education more accessible.
High-Level Training and Certification
The seminar was led by International Arbiter Sotiris Logothetis (Category A). Participants received hands-on training in:
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Using DGT e-Boards and e-Pieces
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Managing events with DGT LiveChess
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Live game broadcasting
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Troubleshooting technical issues
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Integration with platforms like Chess.com and Lichess
After successful completion, participants received official DGT Board Operator certification, an internationally recognized qualification in modern chess events and broadcasting.
Appreciation and Thanks
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess expressed sincere thanks to:
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Stockholm Chess Federation
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Rilton Cup organizers
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Event sponsors DGT and Majana
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Sotiris Logothetis for his expert instruction
Special gratitude was extended to Pia Cramling, whose passion, kindness, and dedication continue to inspire the global chess community.
Looking Ahead
The success of the first Pia Cramling Cup marks the beginning of a promising tradition. The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess looks forward to future editions and continued cooperation with DGT, expanding education, technical expertise, and equal opportunities for women in chess worldwide.
Photos: FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
