Girls from the future
The sixth edition of the Futures tournament for rising stars of the chess world will take place with the participation of FIDE Managing Director Dana Reizniece. The former Latvian Minister of Finance will visit Prague for four days, assuming the role of Futures tournament ambassador.
The Futures tournament has been held since 2020 and has consistently been popular among both participants and fans. This year marks the first-ever edition featuring only female players. The highest-ranked participants include Zuzana Stará, the 2023 Czech champion and 2024 EU champion, and Sofiia Markina. Czechia will also be represented by Tamae Severina Jakubše, whose biggest achievements include first place in the Girls’ U12 EU Championship 2023 and seventh place in the U14 European Rapid Chess Championship 2024.
For the first time, the main stage will feature an Italian representative—two-time Italian junior champion Greta Viti from Livorno. Germany is sending Lilian Shirmbeck, the U16 Player of the Year, who won silver at the 2023 European Championship.
Romania is represented by Maria Anistoroaei, the 2023 European U10 Champion, and Sara Maria Sunea, two years her senior, who fondly remembers Prague as the place where she won silver at the European Rapid Chess Championship.
Poland is also sending two players. Kaja Rzadkowska, who won a bronze medal in the Rapid and Blitz Chess World Championship in the U10 girls’ category, had her best tournament at the Prague Open 2023, where she won four categories and gained 280 rating points. She will be accompanied by her younger sister, Lili, who won bronze at last year’s European U10 Championship and became the Polish champion in the same category.
Latvia has previously participated in the Futures tournament, and this year, they are sending five-time Latvian champion Alona Tolmaceva.
FUTURES
| 1 | Viti, Greta (ITA) | 1971 |
| 2 | Stara, Zuzana (CZE) | 1919 |
| 3 | Markina, Sofiia (CZE) | 1891 |
| 4 | Sunea, Sara Maria (ROU) | 1854 |
| 5 | Tolmaceva, Alona (LAT) | 1839 |
| 6 | Anistoroaei, Maria (ROU) | 1820 |
| 7 | Jakubse, Tamae Severina (CZE) | 1815 |
| 8 | Rzadkowska, Kaja (POL) | 1798 |
| 9 | Schirmbeck, Lilian (GER) | 1754 |
| 10 | Rzadkowska, Lila (POL) | 1743 |
| ∅ 1840 | ||
"I firmly believe all ten participants are looking forward to coming to Prague and that they will thoroughly enjoy the Festival," says Petr Boleslav, the Festival Director. The Futures players will draw lots with the Masters GMs, whom they will meet regularly on the main stage. They will follow the same dress code, participate in game analyses in the common room, and give interviews in either their native language or English. A rich program of side events has also been prepared. On her free day, Futures ambassador Dana Reizniece will play a simultaneous exhibition match against all Futures participants. Additionally, there will be a traditional lecture and a meet-up with parents.
The Futures tournament is held with the support of the European Chess Union, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
