The European Women’s Rapid and Blitz Games Championship will be taking place in Monaco at the Novotel Hotel, from 12-14 January 2024. Players will be competing for prizes amounting to €22,500.

Over one hundred players from over twenty federations will be competing in the tournament, including all the women from the Cercle d’Echecs de Monte-Carlo. The first seventeen games will be broadcast on the internet, with commentary by International Master Almira Skripchenko (eight-time French Champion) and International Grand Master Amir Bagheri.

First up will be the Blitz Competition, taking place on 12 January. The European Blitz Champion will be crowned after thirteen games. Each player has just three minutes and two seconds per move.

The Rapid Championship will be played on 13 and 14 January, with 15 minutes and 10 seconds per move. Prizes to the best player in the blitz and rapid championship will be presented by Cédric Biscay.

Monaco to Host the European Women's Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship — @Fédération Monégasque des Echecs

Top European players will be competing in the championship, including Alexandra Kosteniuk (Switzerland), Bella Khotenashvili (Georgia), Pia Cramling (Sweden), Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (Spain), Elisabeth Paehtz, Anna Ushenina (Ukraine), Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria ), reigning French Champion Mitra Hejazipour, and veteran World Champion Monica Calzetta (Spain).

Held under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II, the championship is organised by the Monegasque Chess Federation and the European Chess Union.