The 6th International Chess Festival “Chess in Ustroń Connects Generations” is now behind us

The 6th International Chess Festival

“Chess Connects Generations” Again in Ustroń

Ustroń – The Polish Capital of Chess!

From August 1 to 10, 2025, Ustroń once again became the Polish capital of chess, hosting legends, and players from all around the world. Guests of the previous editions of the festival included Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, and Viswanathan Anand. This year’s edition of the festival “Chess in Ustroń Connects Generations”, co-organized by MOKATE Group, attracted 981 chess players. Participants competed in both professional FIDE tournaments and amateur competitions, inspiring the continuation of this annual tradition.

10 days with chess that inspired the participants to deepen their passion

The festival “Chess in Ustroń Connects Generations” took place for the sixth time. The event, which has become one of the most prestigious events in the world of Polish chess, attracted not only professional players. The extensive program also inspired amateurs to sit at the chessboard. The event was organized by the Silesian Chess Federation in cooperation with the Town of Ustroń, MOKATE Group, Synerise, Bank Pekao SA, ITAKA, FIDE, Superbet, Emphie, Veolia, and UKS Pionier Jastrzębie-Zdrój. The event was held under the auspices of the Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship.

Professionals competed in FIDE tournaments in several categories. The Silesian Junior Rapid Chess Championship also took place during the festival. However, anyone who wanted to take on chessboard challenges could experience the excitement – the MOKATE Coffee Tournament was open to everyone. As many as ninety-three participants of all ages registered to compete. As usual, the games were held primarily at the Prażakówka Municipal Cultural Centre. Figures well-known in the chess community arrived in Ustroń in early August. Participants had a chance to watch simultaneous chess matches with Dawid Czerw, a chess player and streamer known for his work on YouTube and Twitch.

The star of the festival was Gukesh Dommaraju, the reigning Classical Chess World Champion. His opponent was Polish grandmaster and winner of the 2021 FIDE Cup, Jan-

Krzysztof Duda. Their fierce game took place at the Rialto Cinema in Katowice, ending in Duda’s victory. The reigning Classical Chess World Champion attended the festival at the special invitation of the CEO of MOKATE Group, dr Adam Mokrysz, PhD, who is actively involved in popularizing this royal game in Poland. Each year, the festival attracts global icons of the chess world, including Anatoly Karpov, Gary Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand, Vasyl Ivanchuk, and Ruslan Ponomariov.

“Chess is exceptional. It teaches you how to win, lose and build strategies. It provides a wealth of positive emotions, but – like business – it requires predicting next moves, courage in decision-making, and the ability to think long-term,” explains dr Adam Mokrysz, PhD, CEO of MOKATE Group. “We believe that promoting this royal game constitutes an important step in shaping the skills of future generations. Chess has become an intergenerational bridge and proves that you can be together, transcending all barriers,” he adds.

Exciting tournaments in numerous chess categories

During the festival “Chess in Ustroń Connects Generations”, professional tournaments were held in the Masters, Open A, B, C, D, E, F, and G categories. The winners in each group were as follows: Masters: Grandmaster Eduardas Rozentalis, OPEN A: Anh Huy Nguyen, OPEN B: Robert Krasiewicz, OPEN C: Ignacy Nieć, OPEN D: Michał Kret, OPEN E: Maciej Krawiec, OPEN F: Bruno Stróżyk, OPEN G: Aleksander Cichocki.

MOKATE Coffee Tournament – a game that connected generations

A special tournament organized on August 3, 2025, by MOKATE Group, the patron of chess in Poland, generated considerable interest. Both children and adults participated in the competition, which this time celebrated the 35th anniversary of MOKATE Group. The tournament was played using the Swiss system of nine rounds: 3 x 5 minutes, 3 x 10 minutes, and 3 x 15 minutes. The prize pool amounted to PLN 8,000. Congratulations to all the winners. We thank the players for their involvement.

The Silesian Junior Team Rapid Chess Championship also took place within the festival, gathering 102 participants. The nine tournament rounds were played at a truly lightning-fast pace (10 minutes per game, 5 seconds per move).

1. UKS „Pionier” Jastrzębie Zdrój I

2. HETMAN GKS Katowice I

3. SSz Olimpia Goleszów

“This year’s MOKATE Coffee Tournament once again proved that chess knows no generational boundaries and is a game for absolutely everyone. I am delighted that the number of participants is growing year by year, with increasingly younger chess players joining the ranks. The royal game develops their minds and reminds them that every move matters, both on the chessboard and in everyday life,” says dr Katarzyna Mokrysz, PhD, General Manager of MOKATE Group. “That is why we are determined to expand the ‘Education through Chess’ program and encourage more primary school students across Poland to play chess,” she adds.

A festival for the whole family

The fierce chess tournaments in Ustroń were accompanied by other events that attracted the attention of residents and tourists. Additionally, a Bughouse chess tournament was held. The festival, the closing ceremony of which was attended by Gukesh Dommaraju, was concluded with the sounds of highland folk music, as the band Baciary performed on the stage of the Ustroń Amphitheatre. The next edition of this iconic event will take place next year.