Sunway International – the most scenic place to play chess!

by Sushir Lohia - 24/12/2016

In recent years more and more tournaments are being held at picturesque locations. The beautiful environment is not only ideal for playing chess but also for a relaxing vacation. In case you are looking for such an event, Sunway International tops the list. Sushir Lohia was at Sitges with his two kids and wife, sent us this pictorial report with the words, "After all these years of traveling around the world for chess tournaments, would definitely rank this as one of the most scenic!"

Chess has taken my family to all parts of the world, and this time the Lohia family chose Spain for the Christmas break. My 11-year old son Siddhanth and 7-year-old daughter Suhaani love the game of chess. Hence for us, this is the best way to make use of the school holidays – to combine chess and travel. Little did we know about the beauty that awaited us at the Sunway Sitges International.

Stunning setting for the Sunway Chess Festival. Spain really does it in style!

The main tournament hall on the top floor of the Hotel Sunway Playa Golf Sitges. The tournament attracted the top GMs from all over the world.

Pictures of chess greats lined the hotel lobby for inspiration

The excellent analysis room was always bustling with participants and enthusiasts, sharing some deep combination thoughts and also some light hearted banter.

An impressive line up of trophies were waiting to be handed over to the participants!

The Hotel Sunway Playa Golf & Spa and the surrounding area

Trees beautifully lined up on the promenade adjoining the hotel

Its unusual to wake up early in Spain... But when you do, you got treated with some stunning sunrise views from your hotel room!

If you cared for a dip before or after a game, the hotel offered a heated indoor pool overlooking the golf course

How many of you can resist playing chess with such a view!

Sitges is a beautiful quaint town along the sea, offering some great sights and restaurants. This picture is of the Sitges Church Sant Bartomeu.

A stunning painting adorning a building facade on the Sitges promenade

Walking through the beautiful sun-basked alleys of Sitges town

Two huge talents pitted against each other. Jorden van Foreest won this game against Awonder Liang.

Shyam Sundar, who played a fine tournament, lost his last round game against Gata Kamsky and had to settle for the eleventh place with 6.0/9. He did gain ten Elo points.

Sasikiran playing against the Edouard Romain on the top board in the final round. Sasikiran drew his game and finished seventh

Evegeny Romanov won the event. Full results.

Youngest participant of the B group and my daughter Suhani Lohia before the start of the last round game against a 1664 rated opponent. She won the game!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures. A full report with games, analysis and more focus on chess by Atul Dahale will follow soon.

About the author and photographer

Sushir Lohia is an investment banker by profession, an amateur photographer by passion, and a parent to two young chess enthusiasts.