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Last year, Daniel Dardha, the reigning Belgian Champion, claimed victory by edging out Hans Niemann on tie-breaks. Dardha will return to defend his title in the Masters section, joined by a remarkable lineup of 10 players, including: the legendary Vasyl Ivanchuk, newly crowned World Rapid Champion, 18-year-old Volodar Murzin, Africa’s top player, Amin Bassem, Czech champion David Navara, Iranian powerhouse Parham Maghsoodloo, Argentina's prodigy, Faustino Oro (dubbed the "Messi of chess") and a French trio: multiple-time champion Étienne Bacrot, reigning champion Jules Moussard, and World Junior Champion Marc’Andria Maurizzi.
Masters at the Djerba Chess festival, 2025
The host nation’s top player, IM Njili Kamel, will compete in the strong Open A section alongside numerous international titleholders. Additional events include: Open B (U-2000), Open C (U-1600), Blitz and Amateur tournaments as well as a variety of side events, offering a rich chess festival experience.
IM Njili Kamel, Tunisia's top player and coach | Photo: Wikidata
The Masters' stage and the general playing hall at the Djerba Chess Festival | Photo: Diana Mihajlova
The venue, Fiesta Beach Hotel, provides a picturesque retreat with indoor and outdoor heated pools, spas, individual cottages, and a private beach for tranquil walks.
Part of Fiesta Beach Hotel's grounds
A Vision for African Chess
The festival’s organizer and sponsor, Mr. Chokri Saidi, an entrepreneur and owner of the high-end travel company Go-Makkah (https://go-makkah.com/), is on a mission to boost chess in Africa and the Arab world. This well-organized event not only strengthens players' skills but also helps develop chess in a region where international opportunities are limited.
Chokri Saidi, deeply committed to fostering chess in Africa | Photo: Diana Mihajlova
Young players are particularly close to Mr. Saidi’s heart, which he proved last year when he organized the Jeddah International Youth Chess Festival (23 - 30 January). The festival featured promising young talents that are today drawing global attention: Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (Turkey), who won the event and soon afterwards became the fourth-youngest grandmaster in history and the youngest player ever to achieve a 2600 FIDE rating in classical chess at the age of 13 years; Volodar Murzin, now the World Rapid Champion; Andy Woodward (USA), the youngest American GM, and Faustino Oro (Argentina) who at ten years old became the youngest IM in chess history.
Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (right) and Andy Woodward (left) at the 2024 Jeddah International Youth Chess Festival | Photo: Diana Mihajlova
Building Global Partnerships
To further his vision, Mr. Saidi proposes collaboration with some of the world’s most prestigious chess tournaments. His idea of reciprocal exchanges - offering free participation to players from Djerba and other renowned events - has been well received. Key figures like Jeroen Van Den Berg (Tata Steel Chess Tournament), Gunnar Bjornsson (Reykjavik Open), Malcolm Pein (London Chess Classic), and Robert Textoris (CapEchecs) are expected as guests of honor at the festival.
A promotional letter offering free accommodation for delegations of 10 or more participants was sent to federations and chess organizations worldwide. While it has not garnered widespread attention yet, a delegation from Quebec, led by Eric Bopala, President of the Quebec Chess Federation, will embrace this opportunity and escape Canada’s winter chills for Djerba’s warmth.
Eric Bopala leading the Quebec delegation | Photo: FQE archive
Cultural and Geographic Riches
Beyond chess, the Djerba Chess Festival offers participants a chance to explore the island’s rich culture and history. Highlights include performances at the hotel, excursions, and visits to landmarks like Djerba’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.
A replica pirate ship, symbolizing Djerba’s historic ties to the legendary pirate Barbarossa | Photo: Diana Mihajlova
Djerba is renowned for its white mosques and religious sites with unique, mysterious architecture, some over 1,000 years old.
Tajdit Mosque, founded in the 9th century | Photo: Diana Mihajlova
Highlights from the last year's edition can be seen in this short video.
Diana Mihajlova
Press and Organizing Team Member