Football at the Chess Olympiad 2024!

The medals are awaiting the best chess players and teams at the record breaking Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Will there be surprises? Will the highest rated players prevail? Will the youngsters be on top? We will soon know. But we will also know what the best football team at the Chess Olympiad is!

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FM Jonathan Blackburn, on behalf of Wales, has issued a challenge to all participants at the Olympiad. Jonathan says, “Like chess, football transcends boundaries, played all over the world bringing people together for the love of the game. The 45th chess Olympiad takes place in Budapest, Hungary starting September 10th and I’ve been selected again to represent Wales. It is an honour and a privilege to play and while this post takes a different outlook, preparing for this event is my highest priority.” He continues, “If you read the detail for the Olympiad you will see that there is already a planned football match on the rest day. It’s great that they are putting it on as well as city tours and the Bermuda party the night before. I have no idea of the format for the football though, sometimes these things can be a little bit awkward to sort out from their point of view. All’s I know is we have a team of 6 ready to go and wanting to play together. If we have to organise our own games, we will.”

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Jonathan Blackburn calls all football fans through Chessdom, “If anyone wants to get in touch to play a game or hopefully mini tournament on the rest day message me on Lichess @WelshWhiteSinge , I will be looking to find a venue within the first week. While we want some true competition its also great to meet returning friends and new people.” You can also get in touch with Chessdom and we will forward the message to Jonathan.

Read: Soccer and chess: related disciplines