12/22/2019 – The planned city of Palmanova in north-east Italy cannot be called a chess stronghold, but it was once a real fortress! The small local chess club has been organizing a popular weekend tournament with international participation for eight years, and this time an Italian took home top honours. GERHARD BERTAGNOLLI tells the tale. | Photos: Gerhard Bertagnolli

12/14/2019 – GM Alberto David is new Italian Champion, winning his third title after an exciting tournament. The championship was played in Padua and for the first time a woman started in the Absolute Championship: Marina Brunello. Elina Sedina became Women's Champion and Gabriele Lumache won the U20 Championship. | Photos: Romualdo Vitale for the Italian Chess Federation

9/10/2019 – The region of South Tyrol beckons European tourists in the autumn with beautiful hiking and other outdoor adventures. For chess fans who prefer to stay indoors, (in this case even subterranean) there is also the small and unique weekend tournament held in the wine cellar of Kaltern am See from October 18-20. | Photos: Gerhard Betrtagnolli

1/7/2019 – About halfway between Milan and Venice lies Lake Garda, with the town of Arco at its northern end, once again the venue of a small but festive amateur tournament between the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The 9th edition of this tournament ended in a dead heat between four players but FM Alessio de Santis from Italy was the lucky winner in the end. Gerhard Bertagnolli sends these highlights — suitable for beginners — and photos from an attractive winter holiday destination.

12/9/2018 – The city of Salerno, south of Naples, was the venue for this year's individual championship in Italy. 12 participants fought for the title of Italian Champion in a classical round-robin tournament. The winner was not one of the favourites, but rather IM Lorenzo Lodici, the surprising but not undeserved winner of last year's under-20 national championship. | Photos: FSI