Association

Association Alwan Fannia d’Échecs

Chefchaouen — Founded in March 1977

A historic chess association rooted in Chefchaouen, carrying decades of titles, hosting national finals and building international bridges — now powering the Chefchaouen International Chess Festival.

Heritage & titles
National finals host
International bridges

Festival Contact

Founded: 1977
Editions: 22
Archive: 150+
City: Chefchaouen

01Key facts

Association identity

1977

Chefchaouen, Morocco

Alwan Fannia Chess Association
Name: March 1977 in Chefchaouen
Founded: Moroccan chess and an international network
Community: Local, national and international
Reach: Chefchaouen International Chess Festival
Flagship event: Nearly five decades dedicated to chess
Heritage

Mouad BEN EL AMIN ALAMI
Association President

02Leadership

President’s message

“Chess brings generations together and showcases the beauty of Chefchaouen.”

Leads the Association vision, partnerships, and program growth — with a premium touch and authentic hospitality.

Contact Festival

03Mission

Chess, culture and the Blue City

Association Alwan Fannia d’Échecs promotes chess as a bridge between generations — strengthening youth engagement, celebrating Chefchaouen’s heritage and welcoming players from Morocco and beyond.

01
Culture & heritage
A festival that highlights the medina, craftsmanship and Chefchaouen’s unique identity.
02
Community
A welcoming atmosphere where families, clubs and friends share memorable moments.
03
International exchange
Open to the world: guests, partnerships and encounters that elevate the experience.

Our vision

Make Chefchaouen a premium chess destination — where competition meets hospitality, and every participant feels part of the story.

— Association Alwan Fannia d’Échecs

Focus

Chess
Youth
Tourism

041978 — 1985

Achievements

Chess quote

“When you see a good move, look for a better one.”

— Emanuel Lasker

6
6 consecutive Moroccan Team Championship titles
- 1978–1979
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982–1983
- 1984
- 1985
2
2 Trophées du Trône
- 1983
- 1984
2
2 Moroccan Individual titles (Md Moubarak Ryan)
- Md Moubarak Ryan · 1982, 1985
2
2 International Masters
- Md Moubarak Ryan
- Kacem Ryan

A chess game in Chefchaouen, 25 March 1976 — Chefchaouen · 25.03.1976

Timeline

March 1977

Foundation of A.A.F

1983–1984

2 Trophées du Trône

1991

Friendly tournament with Club Haïdra d’Alger (home & away)

1981

Hosted national team final

2000

Hosted Coupe du Trône final

1983, 1984, 1994, 2005–2019

Chefchaouen International Festivals/Cups

2023

Consolidation and digitisation of the association’s historical archive

1984–2025

Hosting grandmasters and international chess figures

1977 — 2025

1978–1985

6 team titles (1978–1979, 1980, 1981, 1982–1983, 1984, 1985)

March 1984

Visit of FIDE President Florencio Campomanes in Chefchaouen (during national individual championship organized by AAF)

1999, 2000, 2005

Ceuta tournaments with teams from Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Morocco

1984

Hosted national individual final

1985–1987, 2000, 2003, 2004

Trophée du Trône final stages: 1985–1987 (2nd), 2000 (4th), 2003 (3rd), 2004 (4th)

2019

18th Chefchaouen International Chess Festival

2025

21st Chefchaouen International Chess Festival (16–22 July 2025)

051977 — 2025

Timeline

March 1977
Foundation of A.A.F
1978–1985
6 team titles (1978–1979, 1980, 1981, 1982–1983, 1984, 1985)
1983–1984
2 Trophées du Trône
March 1984
Visit of FIDE President Florencio Campomanes in Chefchaouen (during national individual championship organized by AAF)
1991
Friendly tournament with Club Haïdra d’Alger (home & away)
1999, 2000, 2005
Ceuta tournaments with teams from Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Morocco
1981
Hosted national team final
1984
Hosted national individual final
2000
Hosted Coupe du Trône final
1985–1987, 2000, 2003, 2004
Trophée du Trône final stages: 1985–1987 (2nd), 2000 (4th), 2003 (3rd), 2004 (4th)
1983, 1984, 1994, 2005–2019
Chefchaouen International Festivals/Cups
2019
18th Chefchaouen International Chess Festival
2023
Consolidation and digitisation of the association’s historical archive
2025
21st Chefchaouen International Chess Festival (16–22 July 2025)
1984–2025
Hosting grandmasters and international chess figures

06Our activities

Chess for all ages

Team competitions, championships, international festivals, blitz, inter-school tournaments, training and cultural activities shape the life of the association.

01
Compete in your level
Rating-group events designed for fair pairings and meaningful progress.
02
Events organized by professionals
Clear rounds, premium venues, and a smooth tournament experience.
03
Familial atmosphere & friendships
A festival spirit: chess, culture, and connections that last.
04
A community for everyone
Activities for all ages, from beginners to experienced players.

Festival Contact

0722nd edition · October 2026

Chefchaouen International Chess Festival 2026

October 2026

Youth Center — Chefchaouen

FIDE-rated tournaments: 9-round classical Open, 11-round Blitz Marathon and a Grand simultaneous open to players of all ages — 120,000 MAD in cash and symbolic prizes.

Discover the 2026 edition

Affiche 22e Festival International d'Échecs de Chefchaouen 2026

08Roll of honour

Festival champions

Festival

2025
21e
Krishna C R G
MI · IND
2022
19e
Mounib Abdelaziz
MAR
2019
18e
Oleg Korneev
GM · ESP
2018
17e
Sergei Tiviakov
GM · NED
2017
16e
Alexandr Fier
GM · BRA
2016
15e
Mikhail Markov
MI · KGZ
2015
14e
Anton Demchenko
GM · RUS
2014
13e
Erwin L'Ami
GM · NED
2013
12e
Sebastien Maze
GM · FRA
2012
11e
Laurent Fressinet
GM · FRA
2011
10e
Hicham Hamdouchi
GM · MAR
2010
9e
Evgeny Gleizerov
GM · RUS
2009
8e
Fabien Libiszewski
GM · FRA
2008
7e
Hicham Hamdouchi
GM · MAR
2007
6e
Ali Sebbar
FM · MAR
2006
5e
Mokhliss Adnani
MAR
2005
4e
Karim Ismael
MAR
1994
3e
Abdesslam Mouissou
MAR
1984
2e
Zaki El Kadiri
MAR
1983
1re
Mohamed Moubarak Rian
MAR

The years and champions shown are based on the association archives currently available.

09Photo archive

Festival albums

Browse images from the different editions and revisit memorable moments in Chefchaouen.

10Special guests

Special guests

Guests of honor and special appearances.

Anish Giri
Guest of honor • Talk & signing
Anish Giri is a Dutch chess grandmaster of Russian origin, known for his solid playing style and tactical skills. He has won numerous international tournaments and is regularly ranked among the world’s top players.
M. Driss Alaoui M’Daghri
Guest of honor • Workshop
A university professor and Moroccan politician, he held several ministerial positions in different Moroccan governments.
Patrick Van Hoolandt
FIDE Master • Guest of honor
Patrick Van Hoolandt is a FIDE Master representing Monaco, born in 1958. His FIDE ID is 200999, and his profile lists international training and organization credentials including FIDE Instructor and FIDE Trainer records.
Laurent Freyd
International Arbiter • 2026 Festival
Laurent Freyd is a leading French International Arbiter and a major figure within the World Chess Federation (FIDE). After a 17-year career as an IT manager and project lead, he dedicated himself to developing and professionalizing chess arbitration. He currently chairs FIDE's Planning and Development Commission (PDC), which manages the development fund and strengthens federations worldwide, and previously chaired the FIDE Arbiters' Commission (2018–2022).

11Heritage · 1970 – 2009

Archives of the association

Nearly half a century of chess in Chefchaouen: vintage photographs, honour rolls, cups, festivals and digitised registers of “Alwan Fannia des Échecs”.

photos: 224
documents: 22
digitised pages: 303