Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
There’s something special happening in Nicosia right now, and no, it’s not just the start of spring. The world’s top female chess players have landed in Cyprus for the prestigious FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2024–2025, a tournament that’s as much about strategy and skill as it is about pushing the game forward—especially for women.
And behind the scenes, helping to make it all happen, is Freedom24. Known for its commitment to investing in the future—not just financially, but in the community—Freedom24 has once again stepped up as the main sponsor of the event. Their philosophy? Making the world a better place, one move at a time.
A Commitment to Growing Chess in Cyprus
Freedom24 and its parent company, Freedom Holding Corp., have long supported chess both globally and locally. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., highlighted the power of chess in shaping a more thoughtful and connected society.
„Chess is not just about personal growth; it has the power to build a more harmonious and forward-looking world. Freedom Holding Corp. and FIDE share the mission of making the world a better place,“ Turlov said.
That mission doesn’t stop at big tournaments. Freedom24 recently opened its own chess academy in Limassol, welcoming anyone eager to learn and live chess—whether a beginner or an aspiring master. The academy is another step in Freedom24’s vision to make chess more accessible to all in Cyprus.
This isn’t Freedom24’s first big move in the local chess scene. The company was the general partner of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2022–2023, also held in Cyprus, and sponsored the Cyprus Open Chess Championship 2024, along with other key chess events.
A Grand Opening for a Grand Tournament
The tournament kicked off with an elegant opening ceremony on March 14 at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia, setting the stage for 10 of the world’s best female players to battle it out over the chessboard until March 25. The first round on March 15 began with a ceremonial first move by Evgenii Tiapkin, Executive Director of Freedom24, symbolizing not just the start of a game but also a new chapter for chess in Cyprus.
“As we celebrate the fourth stage of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Nicosia, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering chess culture in Cyprus,” Tiapkin said. “Chess is more than a game—it embodies strategic thinking, discipline, and perseverance, qualities that extend far beyond the board.”
It’s not the first time Freedom24 has thrown its support behind the chess world. The company also sponsored last year’s Women’s Grand Prix in Cyprus and has been actively backing other tournaments, including the Cyprus Open Chess Championship 2024.
A Growing Chess Hub
Cyprus may not have always been the first place that comes to mind when talking about international chess, but that’s changing fast. In the past two years, the island has transformed into one of Europe’s rising chess hubs, thanks to growing support from organizations like Freedom Holding Corp., the Cyprus Chess Federation, and FIDE.
“Before Freedom24’s support, chess in Cyprus was struggling,” said Criton Tornaritis, President of the Cyprus Chess Federation. “Now, we have over 2,000 members, most of them children. This kind of growth was unimaginable before.”
FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky also praised Cyprus’ evolution into a chess hotspot, highlighting that their mission isn’t just about hosting big tournaments but also making chess more accessible, popular, and exciting for new generations.
The Players to Watch
With such a strong field of players, the competition is sure to be fierce. Leading the charge is Aleksandra Goryachkina, who currently tops the Grand Prix standings after winning back-to-back tournaments in Shymkent and Monaco.
The Women’s Grand Prix Series 2024–2025 includes six tournaments, with 20 players competing across three events each, accumulating points toward the final Grand Prix ranking. The player with the highest total score will claim the overall Grand Prix title.
Follow the Action
For chess fans, this is a rare chance to see some of the best minds in the game go head-to-head right here in Cyprus. The games are being broadcasted live, and you can still follow all the moves, blunders, and brilliant checkmates in real time on the official FIDE website.
So whether you’re a seasoned chess lover or just someone who appreciates a good game of strategy, keep an eye on the action—it’s checkmate season in Nicosia!
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Checkmate in Cyprus: Freedom24 brings world-class women’s chess to Nicosia – KNEWS – The English Edition of Kathimerini Cyprus
