ACO World Amateur Chess Championship 2025

The venue was the 5-star all-inclusive Atlantica Belvedere Resort on Kos Island (Greece)

What makes this event so special?

The Amateur Chess Organization (ACO) organized the 2025 World Amateur Chess Championship on Kos Island (Greece), which has now come to an end. From 6th to 15th May, 130 players from 20 nations took part. Unlike other tournaments, this event is played in 7 separate rating groups, ensuring that players ONLY play against opponents of similar strength. The event is played in the following groups: Group A (2201 - 2400), Group B (2001 - 2200), Group C (1901 - 2000), Group D (1751 - 1900), Group E (1651 - 1750), Group F (1501 - 1650), and Group G (0 - 1500).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFyEc6STups

Special guest: IM Eric Rosen

Unique is also the opportunity for participants to analyze their games with titled coaches. There were 4 coaches on site: GM Daniel King from England, GM Zigurds Lanka from Latvia, GM Spyridon Skembris from Greece, and IM Eric Rosen from the USA, one of the world's most famous chess streamers. Right after the games end, players could analyze them with the coaches, receiving instant feedback while still remembering every thought process of the game. There is no better way to improve in chess!

Individual game analysis with IM Eric Rosen (red shirt)

The afternoon seminars with IM Eric Rosen attracted a lot of spectators.

In the evenings there were 3 blitz tournaments, where amateur players also had the chance to play against the ACO team (right side: GM Falko Bindrich (front) and IM Eric Rosen). Eric recorded his games and will publish some of them on his YouTube channel

Best game prizes

It is tradition that each of the 4 coaches on site picks his favorite game of the event and awards a special trophy for it. Grandmaster Daniel King analyzes those games on his YouTube channel Powerplaychess.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3WYoatDrHw

The winners of the different rating groups are

Group A (2201-2400): Robert Wlodarczyk (Poland)
Group B (2001-2200): Oswald Bindrich (Germany)
Group C (1901-2000): Uwe Töllner (Germany)
Group D (1751-1900): Nils Enke (Germany)
Group E (1651-1750): Andrew Todd (Scotland)
Group F (1501-1650): Lisa Nölle (Germany)
Group G (0 - 1500): Lukas Reindl (Germany)

From left: GM Daniel King (Trainer), Lukas Reindl (GER), Uwe Töllner (GER), Andrew Todd (SCO), Lisa Nölle (GER), Nils Enke (GER), Oswald Bindrich (GER), Robert Wlodarczyk (POL), Tobias Hirneise (Organiser), GM Falko Bindrich (Organiser)

Next year's event will take place at the same venue, on the same dates: 6-15 May, 2026. The event is limited to 150 players; more than 50 are already pre-registered. Official registration will be possible starting from July/August 2025.
Tournament page: https://www.amateurchess.com/events/aco-2026-world-amateur-chess-championship

Picture gallery prize-giving ceremony: https://www.picdrop.com/amateurchessorganization/8wVgc7RVWR
Picture gallery of the tournament: https://www.picdrop.com/amateurchessorganization/fVFV7oViUJ

Tournament video of the amateur event on Kos (2022): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su36_PuwaLc
Tournament video of the senior (50+) event on Crete (2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTGQMInH2gw

Link to the Amateur Chess Organization: www.amateurchess.com