Antonio Lapenna's report on the twinning with the young players of Abruzzo
13/07/2013 - 14/07/2013 Mondo Scacco Castelbasso.
There are good experiences and bad experiences, and then there are those that become a fundamental piece of one's own chess experience, the ones you never forget.
Castelbasso will certainly remain one of those for me.
Below you will find the words of the President of the Pineto chess club, Luigi Ciaramella, which best describe all the important aspects of the event.
Huge turnout, around 200 people, and a wonderful atmosphere in the splendid setting of the medieval village of Castelbasso. Organising this event was hard work but it was worth it, seeing everyone, young and old, with a smile on their lips because chess was being played. Chess played and not only that: the event was completed by two boards with giant pieces in two different squares, a beautiful photo exhibition, a rich exhibition of chessboards in different styles and materials, chess-themed books and an installation of an educational video on the world of chess.
As if that were not enough, a huge turnout at the two simultaneous exhibitions given by Masters Antonio Lapenna and Angelo D'angelo, in which just about everyone had a go, and not even the village parish priest Don Giulio, whom we greet, held back.
At this point I will begin the thanks, hoping not to forget anyone.
We thank:
The Municipality of Castellalto and the Fondazione Menegaz for the opportunity and the support they gave us;
Castelbasso and all its inhabitants for their hospitality;
The photographers (in strict alphabetical order): Gianluca Marino, Ivo Ortombina, Alessandro Petrini and Umberto Sorbo for the beautiful photo exhibition created specially on theme for the occasion;
Dr Giuseppe Sgrò for the beautiful and very interesting presentation of the book "A Scuola con i Re";
The parents of the Ragazzi delle Torri del Vomano, who gave fundamental support in organising the event;
All the authorities who attended (in strictly random order): the Mayor of Castellalto Vincenzo Di Marco, the President of CONI Teramo Italo Canaletti, the President of the CRA Alessandro Cocciaretto, the President of the Fondazione Menegaz Osvaldo Menegaz, Headmaster Antonio Lattanzi and teacher Ginetta Cerqueti representing the Pineto comprehensive school;
The Chess Masters (in strict alphabetical order): Angelo D'Angelo, Stefano D'Innocente, Franco Di Donatantonio, Antonio Lapenna;
The Tournament Arbiter: Pasquale D'innocente
All the participants in the OPEN Tournament;
All the youngsters who took part in the U16 tournament;
All the youngsters' chaperones;
The Pineto girls' choir and teacher Artemisia Lupo;
The group of youngsters and their families from the Club64 club of Modena, with whom we have started a twinning.
Albertino Raimondi from Formigine (Mo) for the handmade wooden pieces that enriched the exhibition.
As for the strictly chess-related part, congratulations to the winners and prize-winners of the tournaments; the detailed standings are in the tournaments section.
In the photo section a mountain of photos in strictly random order, for which we thank fotoOrfini, fotoCoronel, fotoSorbo, fotoMarino and fotoOrtombina.
As soon as it is available we will publish some videos on the utube channel.
Hoping I have thanked everyone, I bid you farewell.
I can add that Emilia-Romagna, with its participants, achieved very significant results in the tournaments; however, the most important thing is that children and parents found themselves in an atmosphere of serenity and friendship, all seasoned with the game of chess.
Thanks go to the Ballotti and Cassanelli families and to all our friends from Abruzzo for their dedication to this twinning project with various organisations, which I consider fundamental for spreading chess culture and on which I will therefore continue to work.
See you soon,
Antonio Lapenna.