Chess Celebration in Geneva: World Championship Side Activities

The highly anticipated Salesforce FIDE World Championship Match, taking place in Geneva from 22 November to 12 December, stands as the most prestigious chess event of the year. Reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju and challenger Javokhir Sindarov will clash over three weeks for the ultimate title. However, this gathering goes far beyond determining the world crown; it functions as an all-encompassing celebration uniting players, fans, and emerging talents.

Upholding the recent tradition of offering vibrant side programmes during title matches, Geneva is set to become a hub for elite grandmasters and spectators. Visitors following the match on-site will have unique opportunities to meet and interact with icons of the game, including former champions such as Viswanathan Anand and women's chess trailblazer Alexandra Kosteniuk.

The scheduled activities kick off on 24 November with Anand sharing personal reflections and insights from his World Championship campaigns, bringing stories familiar from his acclaimed memoir Mind Master directly to fans. Swiss representation will also feature prominently, with the 12th Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk hosting an audience challenge during Game 1, and Grandmaster Yannick Pelletier leading a fan blitz session during Game 3. During Game 4, Grandmaster Anna Muzychuk, one of the elite few women to break the 2600 rating mark, will step into the spotlight for the event's interactive activities.