The International Chess Trophy Kragujevac 2026, which gathered 265 participants, including 12 grandmasters and over 50 titled players, was held at Hotel Šumarice. The opening ceremony was attended by Andrija Jorgić, President of the Serbian Chess Federation, and Predrag Stevović, a member of the City Council for Sports and Youth in Kragujevac, who marked the start of the tournament by making the first move.

Jorgić emphasized that Kragujevac once again holds a significant place on the chess map of the region, noting that organized chess in the city has a history spanning over a century. "The opening of the tournament begins with the hope that the best will win, but this time I think we all won in a chess game, as an organization and Kragujevac, which is definitively returning to its former glory. This is not just a sporting event, but a confirmation that chess is returning to its rightful place," said Jorgić. He added that the Federation will continue its activities across Serbia and that chess remains "a bridge connecting people."

Predrag Stevović highlighted the partnership between the City of Kragujevac and the Serbian Chess Federation as a significant step in revitalizing the chess life in the city, which has a rich sporting tradition. "In the previous period, several important chess tournaments were held, but this is the most significant event in the city's history, which returns Kragujevac to its former glory. The Kragujevac Trophy gives a special seal and places it on its deserved position. The holding of this tournament will further accelerate the renaissance of chess in our city and attract young people, which will strengthen the chess community's recruitment base," said Stevović.

Vladimir Šakotić, President of the Belgrade Chess Federation, spoke about the history of chess in Kragujevac, recalling generations that have marked this sport in the city, from the Milićević brothers and grandmaster Dragan Barlov to contemporary names and clubs that have won significant trophies. He particularly highlighted the successes of the Chess Club "Radnički" and noted that Kragujevac was one of the three leading chess centers in Serbia at the end of the 20th and the beginning of the [21st century.

The winner of the "Trophy Kragujevac 2026" was grandmaster Milovan Ratković with 8 points, second place went to Miloš Pavlović, while third place was claimed by Vuk Đorđević. The prizes and medals were awarded by Miroslav Marković, a member of the Serbian Chess Federation.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)