The University of Padua takes fourth place at the Alma Mater Chess Tournament 2025
From 12 to 14 September, Bologna hosted the second edition of the Alma Mater Chess Tournament, an international chess tournament between universities, which saw the participation of over 80 players, including students and teachers from 18 Italian and international universities.
The University of Padua distinguished itself as one of the absolute protagonists of the competition, finishing in a prestigious fourth place and confirming its position among the best international universities in the chess world.
The University was represented by a select group from the Unipd Chess Club team, consisting of Jacopo Gennari (captain), Giorgio Belli, Tommaso Bergamasco, Joshuaede Cappelletto, Emma Vittoria Trolese and Marco Zenari.
The tournament was structured over five rounds using the Swiss system, with the University of Padua facing, in order, the University of Pisa, Harvard University, the University of Bologna, Maastricht University, and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.
The team started with two important victories against Pisa and Harvard, followed by a hard-fought draw against Bologna and a defeat against the strong Maastricht team. The last round ended with a clear 4-0 victory against the Sorbonne, consolidating their position in the standings.
As a reward for his great commitment, Giorgio Belli received the special award for ‘Best Italian Chess Player’, offered by Banca di Bologna, confirming the excellence and technique that distinguishes our Unipd team.
The tournament ended with Alma Mater University of Bologna taking first place, followed by Maastricht University and Oxford University.
The experience in Bologna represents not only a sporting achievement, but also an opportunity for growth and international exchange that strengthens the University’s role in the development of cultural and sporting activities at a global level.
Check out the full tournament results:
