Level up

Immerse yourself in the world of chess with our Level-Up Intensive Program, a challenging five-day event designed for kids and adults (1500 Elo rating and above) who want to take their game to the next level, as well as coaches seeking innovative teaching methodologies and inspiration. Located in picturesque Chiavenna, Italy, this 30-hour program will take you on a journey of learning and growth under the guidance of some of the world's most talented coaches. During your stay in Chiavenna, you'll have the unique opportunity to train and learn teaching methodologies with instructors such as Ramesh R.B. (GM), Lexy Ortega (GM), Jesper Hall (IM), Pierluigi Piscopo (IM), Giulio Borgo (IM), and Sebastiano Paulesu (CM). Each day will be enriched by intensive training sessions, opening analysis, free games, and physical and group activities. The course experience will be enriched by a blitz tournament, in which all our instructors will participate, as well as a simultaneous game on the final day. But it won't just be chess! We'll also participate in a positive and inclusive environment where we can have fun, make friends, and cultivate lasting relationships with other chess enthusiasts from around the world. Don't miss the opportunity to elevate your game and have an unforgettable experience. We look forward to seeing you!

Where: Chiavenna, Lombardia June 28 / July 3 2026

Trainers: GM Ramesh RB, GM Lexy Ortega, IM Jesper Hall, IM Pierluigi Piscopo, IM Giulio Borgo, CM Sebastiano Paulesu.

Groups:: A = Elo rating from 2150 to 2349, B = from 1900 to 2149, C = from 1700 to 1899, D = from 1500 to 1699. We reserve the right to accept registrations from players with lower Elo scores who justify the request with a motivation letter that takes into account the player's age and chess background: for clarifications and requests write to chiavenna@chesscamp.it

Basic information: The course will be taught in Italian and English, with translation into German and between English and Italian upon request. Different timetables will be available based on the group size. Each day there will be six hours of chess activities and two hours of various recreational and sports activities. Further information, including specifics on the topics covered, will be provided later based on registration. Groups will be created by the instructors, and all groups will receive training at the Chiavenna Library, located at Via Dei Cappuccini, 17 A, 23022 Chiavenna (SO). Chess training hours will be approximately 9:00-12:30 and 14:30-17:00, daily from June 29th to July 3rd inclusive. Extra-chess/sports activities (for minors) will be held from 17:00 to 19:00.

The welcome ceremony and opening of the course, in plenary, will be held at 5.00 pm on 28 June 2026.

The course's closing ceremony, with the awarding of certificates and prizes for the blitz and simultaneous tournament, will be held at 9:00 pm on July 3, 2026.

Unaccompanied children under 14 will not be accepted. Parents or guardians of the participants aged 14-17 who completed their 14th birthday by June 27, 2026, will be required to sign a waiver of liability form, which will be sent via email after registration.
Accommodation reservations for boys and girls will be managed by Alfiere Bianco staff, ensuring the group resides in the same facility and is gender-separated. It will be necessary to notify both the presence of minors requiring accompaniment and the need for accommodation reservations by email to pulzoni@alfierebianco.comIt will not be possible to book accommodation directly at partner hotels or through alternative solutions, in which case we will not be able to accept registration for the course.

Insight for instructors and adult players: For instructors and adult players who are interested, there will be a dedicated one-hour meeting every day from 5:30 to 6:30 pm with Ramesh R.B. and the staff, to delve into teaching techniques for young people and as a Q&A session with participants, included in the registration fee.

Location: Biblioteca di Chiavenna, sita in Via Dei Cappuccini, 17 A, 23022 Chiavenna (SO)

Registration fee: €400 includes all chess training activities (30 hours), participation in the simultaneous chess tournament, sports activities, and refresher courses for chess instructors. Discounts are available for groups of at least six participants. For information, contact Alessandro Dominici at +39 3932277051 also WhatsApp. dominici@alfierebianco.com

Sports activities other than chess: During CAMP 2026 in Chiavenna, we will organize some non-chess sports activities in collaboration with the Polisportiva Chiavennese, dedicated to minors.

The activities are open to all camp participants under 18, subject to reservation and registration via the appropriate section on the course registration form, and will take place on a rotating basis within the groups, thus giving the opportunity to participate in them all.

• TENNIS and PICKLEBALL: at the CPV tensile structures, you can try tennis and the brand new, fun and accessible discipline of pickleball.
• BASKETBALL, an evening dedicated to basketball at the Chiavenna oratory (or other facility).
• RUNNING, a session dedicated to games, routes, and exercises with instructors from the Valchiavenna Running Group.
• POOL, two hours of relaxation and fun in the pool.
• FOOTBALL, great group fun outdoors.

Furthermore, those who wish can take a WALK TO THE ACQUAFRAGGIA WATERFALLS, an easy walk that can also be done independently.

One evening will be dedicated to a simultaneous tournament that participants will perform with our great masters and instructors.

Below are some brief guidelines for choosing appropriate clothing for the activities themselves:

• For the pool you will need: a towel, swimming cap, swimsuit, and slippers dedicated exclusively to the activity.
• For other activities, you'll need comfortable, sporty clothing: a t-shirt (preferably with a change of clothes, as you'll be sweating), shorts, sneakers, and sports socks.
• Tennis and pickleball use the same attire but with one caveat: shoes with black soles cannot be used (as they will scratch the playing surface).

All activities are supervised and coordinated by qualified instructors and our entertainers.

Anyone wishing to have insurance for sports activities, at a cost of €5.00 to be paid at the camp site, can request membership at the Aquila Azzurra SSDRL sports centre by filling in the downloadable form here.
The form must be sent to aquilaazzurrassd@gmail.com (tel. 0343 35068)

Hotel agreements: participants are responsible for contacting the venues directly. Alfiere Bianco will not handle bookings but will act as a mediator, providing you with access to the discounts offered upon registration. To access the discounts, contact the hotel directly by email or phone, indicating that you are registered for the International Chess Training Camp. If you book online, the agreements will not be accessible.

Affiliated hotels

HOTEL CONRADI
Contact person: Mr. Enrico Cervieri
P.zza Verdi, 10 - 23022 Chiavenna
T 0343 32300
info@hotel-conradi.com
www.hotel-conradi.com

• single room €105.00 B&B
• Double room €140.00 (€70 per person) B&B
• multiple rooms available, possible discount
• tourist tax €2.00
• Half board treatment, add €25 per person/day

HOTEL AURORA
Contact person: Mr. Ilio Tonola
Via Rezia, 73 - 23022 Chiavenna
Telefono: 0343 32708
info@albergoaurora.it
www.albergoaurora.it

• single room €105.00 B&B
• Double room €140.00 (€70 per person) B&B
• multiple rooms available, possible discount
• tourist tax €2.00
• Half board treatment, add €25 per person/day

In Chiavenna there are several apartments/B&Bs/rooms for rent/holiday homes: https://www.valchiavenna.com/it/bed-and-breakfast.html

Here are the farmhouses: https://www.valchiavenna.com/it/agriturismi.html

Here are other hotels: https://www.valchiavenna.com/it/hotels.html

Meals only agreement for lunch and/or dinner: € 15,00
At the Crimea Hotel restaurant
Viale Pratogiano, 16 - 23022 Chiavenna
You must request the ticket from the organization on site.