Veniaminia 2025

Lesvos Chess Festival

Saturday, August 30th Sunday, August 31st

Courtyard of the Municipal Theatre of Mytilene

The annual chess festival of Veniamin o Lesvios Chess Club (named after the 18th-century scholar Benjamin of Lesvos) returns with fresh energy, new activities, and a very special guest: International Master Elias Kourkounakis – one of Greece’s top chess trainers, with studies in Psychology, acclaimed author, and known for his unique approach in connecting chess with character development.

Rapid tournament for all ages, a special simultaneous exhibition game with the International Master, an open discussion for parents and educators on the topic “Character development through chess”, creative activities for preschool children, an exhibition of collectible chess magazines, a shop with chess souvenirs, and many gifts.

The “Veniamin o Lesvios” Plomari Club invites you to a two-day event full of play, learning, and participation – for children, adults, parents, and chess enthusiasts!

Festival Program

Saturday, August 30th

17:00–18:00

Opening

Registration

Confirmation of registrations for the Open Rapid Tournament.

Entry fee of €10 for participants in Group 1.

18:00–22:00

Tournament

Rapid Open Tournament

Swiss System, 6 rounds – 10’ + 5’’

Group 1: FIDE-rated Rapid

For players with a Greek Chess Federation ID and a valid (paid) activation fee to the Hellenic Chess Federation.

For foreign players registered with another national chess federation.

Group 2: Unrated

For players registered with a Chess Club who have not paid the activation fee.

For players not registered with a Chess Club, but who know the basic rules of chess.

Tournament Director:
Giorgos Bandavanis

Chief Arbiter:
IA Anestis Michailidis

Arbiter:
NA Dimitris Lambrou

FIDE and Hellenic Chess Federation regulations apply.

19:00–21:00

Discussion

Topic: “Character Development through Chess”

Speakers:

Elias Kourkounakis – chess trainer and author, degree in Psychology
Stratos Georgoulas – Vice-Rect, Professor of Sociology, University of the Aegean
Dimitris Mavreas – FIDE Chess trainer of Veniamin Chess club
Machi Gritziotou – Preschool Teacher

All speakers bring extensive expertise in the educational and social aspects of chess.

For parents, educators, and all chess enthusiasts

Sunday, August 31st

17:00–18:00

Opening

Registration

Registration confirmation for the Simul.

18:00–20:00

Simul

Simul with IM Elias Kourkounakis

A unique opportunity for players of all ages to face the renowned coach in a simultaneous exhibition.

18:00–20:00

Kids’ Corner

Chess Fun Corner for Ages 4–8

A fun first introduction to chess with activities and games, led by experienced preschool teacher Machi Gritziotou.

20:00–20:30

Presentation

Presentation of Veniamin Chess club

Presentation of the Club’s new brand identity
Meet the Club’s chess family
Presentation of the Club’s trainers
Special thank you to sponsors and partners

20:30–21:00

Awards

In the tournament, the top three players and the best female player of each group will be awarded, as well as the top three junior players and the best female junior of Group 1.

All participants will receive souvenirs.

Additional happenings

Chess Press

Exhibition

Discover rare Greek chess publications from the archive of Dimitris Mavreas – a journey of memory and culture through pages that made history.

Souvenirs

Chess Memorabilia

Find chessboards, books, keychains, and collectible items. Perfect gifts for chess lovers of all ages who wish to remember the event.

Elias Kourkounakis

Elias Kourkounakis, born in 1960, is an International Master, coach, and author with a long-standing career in Greek and international chess. He studied Psychology at the University of Toronto and incorporates elements of cognitive development into his teaching.

He was Youth Champion (1978), tied for 1st place in the Greek Men’s Championship (1982), and was a member of the Greek National Team. Since 1989, he has been the head coach of the Chalandri Chess Club. His coaching career has spanned four continents.

He has collaborated extensively with newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and websites, both in Greece and abroad, contributing significantly to the promotion and visibility of chess. His rich body of written work includes seven chess books:

From the History of Chess (1986)
Chess and Modern Society (1995)
Secrets of Chess Training (1996)
Modern Chess Thinking (1999)
Robert Fischer: A Self-Taught Genius (with Ikaros Babassakis, 2004)
Chess for Beginners …and Beyond! (2005)
Jose Raul Capablanca: Intuitive Talent (with Ikaros Babassakis, 2006)

His participation in the Chess Festival Veniaminia 2025 is a great honor for our Club and a unique opportunity to meet in person a figure with such a long-standing presence in the world of chess.