During the Italian championship, a few special events took place:
a) The prize giving to the journalist of non technical media authors of the best articles about chess in 2009 – this prize is dedicated to IM Alvise Zichichi (1938-2003), and also former president of Italian Federation.
b) The prize giving of “Premio Siena Scacchi” to a personality of Siena.
(left to right) Professor Oliviero Appolloni, school “Cecco Angiolieri” – Elena Borri, press officer sport organization “Mens sana 1871” – Piero Ricci, president sport organization “Mens sana 1871” – Massimo Bianchi, sport town councillor (all these for the prize Siena Scacchi) – Simone Battaggia, journalist of ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’ the main sport daily newspaper in Italy – Fabio Magini, joiurnalist of NET, riddles (puzzle, crosswords, etc) weekly magazine.
Back row: Mario Leoncini, vice-president of Italian Chess Federation, and Marco Bettalli, chess master
(left to right) – Fabio Magini, joiurnalist of NET, riddles (puzzle, crosswords, etc) weekly magazine.- GM Fabiano Caruana – Simone Battaggia, journalist of ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’ the main sport daily newspaper in Italy – the two journalists were winners of the Premio Zichichi 2010 (articles published in 2009) award.
Information provided by Adolivio (www.federscacchi.it/cia2010)
Chess is booming in Italy.