Stockholm’s Chess Federation supports Hasselbacken Chess Open

Stockholms Schacksällskap, one of the world’s oldest chess clubs, celebrates its 150 years jubilee with a grand tournament at the venerable Scandic Hotel Hasselbacken**** in the heart of The Royal Djurgården in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Hasselbacken Chess Open 2016 will be held from April 30 through May 8, 2016, in a 9-round FIDE-Swiss open format and it will be valid for FIDE rating and norms. Both Swedish and international grandmasters will be invited to compete for the hefty prize fund of 300 000 SEK (nearly 32,000 €).

27 GMs, 58 titled players and total 185 players have signed up – now there are only 65 seats left.

Tournament website/ Registration/ LIVE games with analysis

Stockholm’s Chess Federation supports Stockholm’s Chess Society’s jubilee tournament Hasselbacken Chess Open with a grant that gives the tournament a chance to be something special. Stockholm’s Chess Federation’s president Jan Wikander give his comments to the decision to support the tournament:

“Stockholm’s Chess Federation’s main task is to get more people to play chess. We do this by organizing tournaments including Stockholm’s Chess Salons, but also through daily visits in schools. We have succeeded admirably, and today has approximately 13 500 registered members in approximately 220 Clubs.
My goal since 2012 when I was elected President of the Federation has been to educate more youth chess leaders, partly to get our clubs arrange competitions. Stockholm’s Chess Society submitted a well-formed application for partnership which the Board treated at two meetings. We came to the conclusion that it is self-evident that we should pay tribute to the world’s third oldest chess club that celebrates 150 years in 2016, and also see the possibility with so many Juniors as possible in the tournament.
Stockholm’s Chess Federation has had a positive development of the economy in recent years which, in the first instance, to the benefit of our member associations in their work with juniors.
Stockholm’s Chess Federation looks forward to a high-class tournament at hotel Hasselbacken and we are proud to be an active part of this anniversary. Already half a year before the tournament starts there are 200 notified participants which is sensational with chess standards!”
Greetings and good luck!
Jan Wikander
Chairman of Stockholm’s Chess Federation

Stockholm’s Chess Society Chairman Stefan Lindh said after Stockholm’s Chess Federation’s decision to support Hasselbacken Chess Openings:
“Stockholm’s Chess Federation’s contribution to Hasselbacken Chess Open warms my heart. We have for many years cooperated on many levels, among other junior tournaments, tournaments of a general nature and more.
Cooperation between the Federation and our club regarding junior tournaments will now additionally be intensified next year, the wish of both the Federation and us. Our club was also one of four clubs to found Stockholm’s Chess Federation which we are very proud of! Our club has also for many years rent space in the Federation’s fine playing venue and during all the years enjoyed working with both the chess but also with the social.
“The board of Stockholm’s Chess Society would once again like to thank the Stockholm Chess Federation for the contribution.

Top 40 seeds