Clash of Generations: Anand vs. 11-year-old Oro to open Chess Roads Exhibition

Five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand will be the star attraction at a landmark chess event in Italy this June. “Chess Roads”, an international cultural and sporting initiative, will be held from June 2 to 15 at La Versiliana in Pietrasanta, celebrating the rich heritage of chess through a remarkable exhibition and a symbolic generational clash.

The curtain-raiser on June 1 will feature a much-anticipated match between Anand and 11-year-old Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro—a symbolic "Clash of Generations" evoking the spirit of legendary encounters between youth and experience. The match will be streamed on ChessBase India.

A Meeting of Eras: Anand and Oro

When Faustino Oro was born in October 2013, Viswanathan Anand had already etched his name in history as a five-time World Chess Champion, having secured titles in 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012 . Anand's illustrious career, marked by his rapid playing style and strategic depth, has inspired countless players worldwide.

Oro, often dubbed the "Messi of Chess," has rapidly ascended the ranks of the chess world. In June 2024, at just 10 years old, he became the youngest player in history to achieve the title of International Master . His remarkable feats include victories over top grandmasters in online formats, showcasing his prodigious talent.

This upcoming match between Anand and Oro symbolizes more than a game; it's a convergence of experience and youthful exuberance, tradition and innovation. As the chess world watches, this encounter promises to be a memorable chapter in the annals of the game.

PRESS RELEASE

Pietrasanta and La Versiliana among the international capitals of chess

From June 2 to 15, Chess Roads exhibition featuring 40 rare and original sets from Asia and Europe
June 1, match between Faustino Oro and Vishy Anand: the youngest chess player in the world vs. the former world champion

Chess Roads – The Exhibition

La Versiliana will host Chess Roads from June 2 to 15: a unique exhibition celebrating the timeless journey of chess through 40 rare and original sets from Asia and Europe. Curated by Corrado Ciano, one of Italy’s foremost collectors, and Giovanni Longo, a cultural project designer specializing in chess, the exhibition is a journey through aesthetics, history, and creativity.

On display are pieces in ivory, wood, and bronze, ranging from the late 1700s to the present: a voyage into the extraordinary variety of forms, materials, and meanings that chess has taken on across world cultures. Turin-born, Milan-based Corrado Ciano discovered chess thanks to his father and became passionate about the game during the legendary 1972 Fischer–Spassky match. Over time, his love for the game evolved into collecting, leading to a valuable historic and artistic set now shown to the public for the first time.

Giovanni Longo complements the exhibition with a contemporary and symbolic vision, enriching the layout with works that blend art and play. The exhibition concludes with the iconic chessboard by Enrico Baj, symbolizing the creative freedom of the chess world.

Clash of Generations – Champions at La Versiliana

The exhibition will be preceded on Saturday, June 1, by an extraordinary match between Faustino Oro, a 10-year-old Argentine prodigy, and former world champion Vishy Anand. A David vs. Goliath clash evoking some of the most epic duels in chess history.

Organized by Unichess and conceived by Grandmaster Roberto Mogranzini and passionate chess lover Andrea Bocelli, the match will shine an international spotlight on this corner of Tuscany. Chess.com, the global platform with over 160 million registered users, will broadcast the match in three languages, reaching a worldwide audience of enthusiasts.

The event opens with a carriage parade from Forte dei Marmi and Pietrasanta to Villa La Versiliana—symbolically crossing the territory that will host this celebration of chess, the third most played sport in India and one of the most practiced globally, with over 650 million players.

The winner will then face twenty guests in a simultaneous match. Host of the event will be Andrea Bocelli, a Versilia local and chess aficionado, who will welcome guests to this exclusive, invitation-only event for a select international and Italian audience of chess lovers.

“Since its beginning—now in its 46th edition—La Versiliana has offered refined entertainment, reflection, dialogue, and constant innovation for both locals and visitors who choose Versilia as their beloved destination. It's in the DNA of one of Italy’s longest-running festivals to seek renewal. The chess world and its sporting culture represent a new path we're excited to explore—looking to the future and working with excellence. That’s why we immediately embraced Andrea Bocelli and Roberto Mogranzini’s idea to organize an exhibition of exquisite chessboards and to welcome world-class players and amateurs from around the globe. The aim is to make Pietrasanta and Versilia an international chess hub. I thank Andrea Bocelli and Roberto Mogranzini for creating this opportunity to engage stakeholders and chess lovers worldwide in our cultural journey.”
– Paola Rovellini, President of the Versiliana Foundation

“Never before, in this fragile historical moment, has sports culture served as such a hopeful bridge between people and communities. The Municipality of Pietrasanta is proud to support this beautiful initiative at La Versiliana, a cultural beacon for over 40 summers. The exhibition will be appreciated by residents and tourists alike, and the match—broadcast globally—will be a remarkable promotional vehicle for Versilia. Pietrasanta confirms itself as a cultural powerhouse.”
– Alberto Stefano Giovannetti, Mayor of Pietrasanta

“What better place to merge sport and culture? For Andrea and me, Versilia and its festival were the natural choice. This will be a unique event for those who view chess not just as a game, but as an intellectual discipline uniting art, science, and strategy. The match between legends Vishy Anand and Faustino Oro will recall epic past duels like Kasparov vs. Carlsen, and the exhibition—curated by Corrado Ciano and Giovanni Longo—will be an aesthetic journey through time. The final piece, a chessboard by Enrico Baj, pays tribute to Pietrasanta’s devotion to contemporary art.”
– Roberto Mogranzini, President of Unichess

“As President of the Italian Chess Federation, I’m proud to endorse the Pietrasanta, Versilia Chess Roads project, which celebrates chess as both a competitive sport and an international showcase of art and culture. The exhibition of historic boards from the 1700s to today and the legendary match between Viswanathan Anand and the young prodigy Faustino Oro show how Italy can tell its story to the world through the universal language of chess—with elegance, history, and passion.”
– Luigi Maggi, President of the Italian Chess Federation

“The Clash of Generations match between Anand and Oro and the exhibition of some of the world’s finest chessboards, held at La Versiliana, are important for many reasons—not least for offering families a unique chance to spend meaningful time together. I hope to attend this beautiful initiative, and I thank and congratulate Mayor Alberto Giovannetti, Paola Rovellini, and the entire Versiliana Foundation for this inspiring project.”
– Daniela Santanchè, Minister of Tourism

“I’m thrilled that a special project I've envisioned with friends has come to life in the best way. It combines my passion for chess with my love for my Versilia. In Marina di Pietrasanta, we’ll host a private match celebrating the encounter—and clash—between generations: a grand chess duel between two extraordinary champions. The world will be watching Versilia. Alongside the match, we’ll have a unique exhibition of chessboards from different eras and regions, a fascinating journey through the game’s cultural and historical richness. It’s an honor to be part of it. Don’t miss it—see you at Villa La Versiliana!”
– Andrea Bocelli

“The most forward-thinking regions understand that tourism is a global competition. They must evolve, organize, and offer enriching experiences to travelers increasingly seeking authenticity and meaningful engagement with host communities. Chess tourism is booming, which is why I view the Pietrasanta and Versilia Chess Roads project as a fantastic opportunity for destination marketing. As Mayor of Forte dei Marmi and head of the Versilia Tourism Council, I proudly support those who serve the community with vision and integrity.”
– Bruno Murzi, Mayor of Forte dei Marmi for Versilia Tourism Area

ℹ️ More info: https://fondazioneversiliana.it/chess-roads/