Whenever I’m travelling, I’m looking for chess opportunities. On my last visit to Moldova I got lucky, as the Clubul Republican De Sah Si Joc De Dame just organized a blitz tournament.

I got a warm welcome from their president, who showed me pictures from their recent successes. They have a very impressive playing hall with very neat tables with integrated boards.

When visiting, bring gifts - I followed that principle and brought many blitz elo points for the numerous talented and motivated kids. I received a lot of fun in exchange - sounds like a fair deal.

Moldova, after creating the sensation by ranking 6th (start number 48) at the 2022 Olympiad, appears clearly to me as a rising chess nation. A new generation of strong players is coming, and they are afraid of no one, as the people of this country are.