Alicante embraces the wood and board
The I Promochess City Chess Circuit opens with a collective response that already sets the stage for inscriptions for the next leg of this Alicante league. The inaugural stop took place in Elche a few days ago at the Luis Vives school, honoring its 50th anniversary with quiet fanfare and focused competition.
Alicante is fond of wood
VL Deltel
more than 130 participants
“It was a big event that surpassed our expectations,” notes Marcos García, the sports director at Promochess. More than 130 chess players filled the boards at this meeting. The organizers describe the first day of a two-day event as a test run to gauge whether the plan would unfold as hoped, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Things moved smoothly, and the atmosphere stayed enthusiastic throughout.
Different categories
The tournament enjoyed backing from the Alicante Provincial Council and the municipalities of Elche, Crevillent, Guardamar, Alicante, Rojales, and Monforte del Cid. It also received support from the Dama de Guardamar Chess School and the San Alberto Magno de Monforte School. The event featured multiple categories designed to level the field so that young competitors could thrive without feeling overwhelmed. As García explains, the goal is to ensure everyone has a fair shot and a reason to return, reinforcing the community spirit of the sport.
Playing chess outside the big cities
The circuit’s next aim is to broaden chess access beyond metropolitan hubs. The upcoming stop is scheduled at the Colegio San Alberto Magno de Monforte del Cid on January 29, with registrations already open. Interested players can inquire through Promochess or their official site. The organizers also maintain a Facebook presence and an email channel for inquiries, though these contact points are not listed here. The overarching message from García is clear: taking chess to the countryside invites broader participation and demonstrates the sport’s positive community impact.
Following this, the tour will move through Rojales, Guardamar, Matola-Elche, and the Nuestra Señora del Carmen school in Crevillent before wrapping up in Alicante. The full list of winners from the first test remains available in the tournament recap published by Promochess under the sports section on their platform.
Winners of the first tournament
CATEGORY A: (Born 2014–2016)
Champion (2015): Fernando García Sánchez — Alicante Enric Valor Chess Club. 2nd (2015): Marcel Psakin — Escuela Dama de Guardamar.
Champion (2014): Manuel Pérez Blázquez — Crevillente School. 2nd (2014): Álvaro Vicente Mas — Elche.
Champion (2016): David Christi Molina — School of San Alberto Magno, Monforte del Cid. 2nd (2016): Juan Fernández Sáez — Colegio Carmelitas Elche.
Best Luis Vives School Actor: Miguel Selva Mora — Elche.
CATEGORY B: (Born 2011–2013)
Champion (2011): Leo Amorós Puigcerver — Escuela Dama de Guardamar. 2nd (2011): Javier Aguera Pérez — Escuela Dama Guardamar.
Champion (2012): Sergio Martínez Cazorla — Novelda. 2nd (2012): Álvaro Nicolas — Luis Vives Elche School.
Champion (2013): Adrián Ruiz Aldeguer — La Dama de Guardamar School. 2nd (2013): Ángel Vilella — School of La Baia in Elche.
Best Actor Luis Vives School: Rocio García López de Elche.
CATEGORY C: (Born 2008–2010)
Champion (2008): Miles Rodríguez Moisés — Rojales Chess School. Runner-up (2008): Alejandro Gadea Luna — La Nucia.
Champion (2009): Guillermo García Sánchez — Alicante Enric Valor Chess Club. 2nd (2009): Christian Martínez Ródenas — Rojales School.
Champion (2010): Oscar Galiana Ferrer — Xixona. 2nd (2010): Manuel Pastor Quiles — Elche.
Best Player Chess School Luis Vives: Victoria Martinez — Elche.
CATEGORY D (ABSOLUTE)
Champion: Oscar Gómez Alonso — Dama de Guardamar Chess Club. 2nd: Fco. Salvador Martínez Rodríguez — Enric Valor Alicante Chess Club. Third: Alejandro Arias Igual — Alicante Enric Valor Chess Club. Best Sub 1500: Juan Felipe García Solbes — Club Ajedrez Enric Valor de Alicante. Best Sub 1300: Alfredo Pérez Luna — Alicante Enric Valor Chess Club.