Rising Stars and Grandmasters Meet at Pafos International Chess Open

The 4th Pafos International Open Chess Tournament has officially started in Pafos, Cyprus. The opening ceremony took place at the Attikon & Palia Ilektriki Multiculture Spaces. The event was inaugurated by the city’s mayor, Angelos Onisiforou.

The tournament is directed by Arkadios Koulaxidis, President of the Pafos Chess Club. It is supervised by International Arbiter Tania Karali. A total of 185 players are taking part in the event. They are divided into three different groups.

The tournament features:

• 6 Grandmasters
• 1 Women’s Grandmaster
• 20 titled players

Players from 29 countries are competing, making it a truly international event.

Tournament Schedule and Special Opportunity

The tournament runs from April 13 to April 19. Players are allowed to take byes during the event. This gives them a chance to attend the final rounds of the FIDE Candidates Tournament nearby.

Many participants arrived early. They even got the chance to meet top chess stars at the Cap St. Georges Hotel & Resort.

Strong Contenders in the A-Group

The A-group includes strong Grandmasters rated above 2500.

Top seeds include:

• Evgeny Postny (Israel)
• A. Ra Harikrishnan (India)

Both players are expected to fight for the top positions.

Rising Star: Lu Miaoyi

One of the most exciting players in the tournament is Lu Miaoyi from China. She is currently ranked World No. 3 among junior girls. She is also the reigning Chinese Women’s National Champion.

Lu Miaoyi is the fourth-youngest girl in history to earn the International Master title. In a recent interview, she shared that she is following the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament closely.
She is supporting Zhu Jiner in the event.

Young Talent to Watch

Another young player to watch is Aida Paunescu. She is a Woman Candidate Master and the Women’s Cyprus National Champion.

She has already represented Cyprus at the Chess Olympiad Budapest 2024. She is also set to play again at the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand this September.

Tournament Organization and Prize Fund

The event is organized by:

• Pafos Municipality
• Pafos Chess Club

It is held under the supervision of the Cyprus Chess Federation. The total prize fund is over €5,000. This tournament is also an official side event of:

• FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026
• FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026

Conclusion

The Pafos International Chess Open brings together experienced Grandmasters and rising young talents. With strong competition, international participation, and exciting opportunities, the tournament promises thrilling games and memorable moments.

Chess fans can expect intense battles and inspiring performances throughout the event.