Maltese Teams Head to Sicily for Italian Chess League Campaign

Maltese chess will be well represented in Sicily this weekend as several local teams prepare to compete in the Italian Chess League (Campionato Italiano a Squadre – CIS), taking place from 20th to 22nd March. Thanks to the ongoing collaboration between the Malta Chess Federation and the Italian Chess Federation, Maltese participation in this prestigious national league continues to grow.

The Malta Chess Federation will field two official teams. Cavalieri di Malta, promoted last season after finishing second, will compete in Serie C with a squad featuring Matthew Portelli, Duncan Vella, Jacob Zammit and Andre Dobbin. A second team, Fortezza di Malta, will make its debut in the Promotion Division, represented by junior players Trystan Jes Scicluna, Zachary Briffa, Benjamin Calleja Falzon and Matthew Callus, under the guidance of Federation Vice President Robert Novak.

Additional Maltese involvement includes teams from local clubs such as the Colin Pace Academy competing in both Serie C and Promotion and the University of Malta Chess Club, alongside several Maltese players representing Sicilian teams.

The five‑round tournament will be held in Ragusa, which will also host the regional Blitz Championship on 21st March. The Federation expressed gratitude to SportMalta and the Malta Olympic Committee for their continued support.

#MaltaDaily