Press release by FIDE
The Giovanni Longo International Chess Museum - City of Marostica officially opened its doors on May 16 in Marostica, in the province of Vicenza, Veneto. The museum is located in the 14th-century Lower Castle, overlooking the city's famous Chess Square, internationally renowned for the "Living Chess Game" staged every two years in autumn. It is the first museum of its kind in Italy and one of the very few dedicated chess museums in Europe.
The repertoire against the Giuoco Pianissimo examined on this video course, provides Black with methods of evading this slightly one-sided pattern, yielding sound play in double-edged positions.The museum was established thanks to a donation by Giovanni Longo, a distinguished collector who wished to make the objects he gathered over the years accessible to the public. The exhibition features around 150 items, including 90 chess sets and boards, displayed in a modern exhibition space designed to be fully accessible to visually impaired and hearing-impaired visitors, with a free app serving as an audio guide.
The collection is extended across four rooms dedicated to four continents - Europe, America, Asia and Africa - and includes both antique and contemporary works of exceptional beauty and value. Among the highlights are giant chess sets created by the Milanese artist Enrico Baj, a chess set designed by Max Ernst, and many other remarkable masterpieces.
Speakers at the inauguration included Matteo Mozzo, the Mayor of Marostica; Mara Bizzotto, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy; Marco Zecchinato, Regional Councillor for Interregional Cooperation; and Luigi Maggi, President of the Italian Chess Federation (FSI). The guest of honour was Zurab Azmaiparashvili, President of the European Chess Union, who congratulated both the city and the Italian chess community on this extraordinary achievement.
The Queen’s Gambit Declined Exchange Variation with 5.Bf4 has a great balance between positional play and sharp pawn pushes; and will be a surprise for your opponents while being easy to learn for you, as the key patterns are familiar.
Almost all games in the Queen’s Gambit Declined Exchange Variation start with 5.Bg5, but the modern 5.Bf4 is just as strong and less known. Patterns are very similar, but there are a couple of very nice details that ask Black numerous difficult questions. This 60-Minutes course is a great addition for 1.d4-players. The play against an Isolated Queen’s Pawn or the fierce and household “minority-attack” are very thematic and provide active and interesting play. Black is often stuck with their bad light-squared bishop. The Queen’s Gambit Declined Exchange Variation with 5.Bf4 has a great balance between positional play and sharp pawn pushes; and will be a surprise for your opponents while being easy to learn for you, as the key patterns are familiar.
Free video sample: Introduction
"The works come from all over the world", explained donor Giovanni Longo, "and trace a journey through the centuries, from the 18th century to the present day, beginning with Chinese and Indian craftsmanship and arriving at contemporary interpretations of the game of chess. The exhibition includes chessboards and sets of every size, from miniature artifacts to monumental works measuring three by three meters, as well as sculptures, unique pieces, chess clocks, symbolic objects, and various curiosities".
"In this period of rapid growth for Italian chess", added Maggi, "with the Federation reaching record numbers of members and affiliated clubs, we warmly welcome the opening of this Museum. It connects the present of this wonderful sport with its glorious past and gives Italy an exhibition space that highlights the inseparable bond between chess, art and culture".
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