This August, the quiet city of Maia, Portugal, will come alive with chess. The Maia International Chess Festival is back, and it’s bigger than ever. Hosted by the Maia Chess Academy, this event will welcome players and fans from all over the world.
The Main Event: Maia Masters
At the heart of the festival is the Maia Masters, a 9-round tournament from August 22 to 30. It takes place at TECMAIA, a modern and sleek venue in the center of the city.
The tournament uses the Swiss system and follows official FIDE rules. Players get 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 more minutes for the rest of the game. There’s a 30-second increment per move from the start. And to make sure games are exciting, players can’t agree to a draw before move 30 without the arbiter’s OK.
Big Names, Young Stars
The Maia Chess Masters 2025 brings together a powerhouse group of 16 Grandmasters. Leading the field is GM Pouya Idani from Iran, with a rating of 2593. Right behind him are top players like:
- GM Manuel Perez Candelario (Spain)
- GM Mikhail Gurevich, a legendary name in chess
- GM Ilia Smirin (Israel)
- GM Sergey Fedorchuk (Ukraine)
- GM Kevin Spraggett (Canada)
Other big names in the lineup include Carlos Albornoz Cabrera, Evgeny Postny, and Jose Fernando Cuenca Jimenez. Also competing are Pierre Bailet, Kevin Spraggett, Zaur Mammadov, Aleksa Strikovic, Daniel Campora, and Juan Manuel Bellón Lopez, all with years of experience and sharp tactics.
But it’s not just about the veterans. Young talents like Sion Radamantys Galaviz Medina (Mexico) and Mustafokhuja Khusenkhojaev (Tajikistan) are coming to fight hard. Players from India, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the U.S., and many other countries make this a true global event.
Adding to the excitement are two strong female Grandmasters: Xeniya Balabayeva and Lan Yao.
With such a diverse and talented field from across the globe, this year’s Maia Masters is set to be a thrilling, high-level chess showdown.
A Chance to Earn Titles
The Maia Masters isn’t just for trophies. It’s a golden chance for players chasing Grandmaster (GM) and International Master (IM) norms. Every game matters. A good performance could change a player’s career.
The tournament will count toward FIDE and Portuguese chess ratings, using official ratings from August 1, 2025.
A Celebration of Chess
This festival is more than one tournament. It’s a full week of fun and learning:
- Douro Blitz Cruise (Aug 21) – Play blitz on a boat!
- Queens Blitz (Aug 24) – A special blitz event
- Masterclasses and Chess Congress – Learn from top players
- Night Chess Party (Aug 27) – Music, food, and friends
Big Prizes, Big Motivation
The winner of the Maia Masters takes home €2,000. Prizes go down to 6th place. There are also special prizes for:
- Top three women
- Best players over 50 and over 65
Maia Chess Masters 2025 schedule and results
Looking Back: 2024 Champions Set the Bar High
Last year’s Maia Chess Masters was packed with drama, sharp tactics, and unforgettable games. The top three finishers put on a show.
Grandmaster Pierre Bailet from France took first place with an impressive 8 out of 9 points. He played fearlessly from start to finish and was the only player to win seven games and stay undefeated.
Just behind him was Canadian legend GM Kevin Spraggett, scoring 7.5 points. At 69, he showed that experience still counts, battling younger players and staying near the top board throughout the event.
FM Ronan Le Goff, a rising French talent, surprised many by claiming third place with 7 points, ahead of several seasoned GMs. His bold playstyle and cool nerves earned him both wins and fans.
Other top scorers included well-known names like GM Daniel Campora, GM Alexandr Fier, and GM Victor Mikhalevski, all finishing with strong performances. The field also featured former World Cup participant GM Michal Krasenkow, U.S. content creator and IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM Matthias Dann of Germany.
The 2024 edition showed just how deep and competitive this tournament has become. And this year? Even more Grandmasters, more countries, and more young stars are coming to Maia, ready to fight for the crown.
A Festival to Remember
Maia is a vibrant city in northern Portugal, just 11 kilometers from Porto. It’s known for its modern charm, strong industry, and rich history. With over 130,000 residents, Maia is one of the most dynamic municipalities in the Porto Metropolitan Area.
The city also loves its sports. From local football club FC Maia to Bruno Fernandes, the Manchester United star who was born here. Maia has produced top talent on and off the field.
And while you’re here for chess, don’t miss the sights: stroll down Visconde de Barreiros Avenue, visit the Nossa Senhora do Ó Church, or take in a view from the Lidador Tower: a symbol of the city named after the medieval warrior Gonçalo Mendes da Maia.
The Maia Chess Festival 2025 has it all: strong players, serious games, and fun side events. It’s a perfect mix of competition and community. Whether you’re chasing norms, cheering from the sidelines, or just here for the party, Maia is the place to be this August.
Watch Maia Chess Masters 2025 live here
I’m the senior editor of Attacking Chess, a keen chess player, rated above 2300 in chess.com. You can challenge me or asking questions at Chess.com.
