World Chess, the official partner of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), has partnered with internally-renowned Beluga vodka to create special chess cocktails for the FIDE World Chess Championship 2018.

Beluga believes that mixology is an art form and has used its classic techniques to create three exclusive cocktails with a chess twist, which were launched during the Gala Opening Ceremony of the Championship Match at V&A Museum. The drinks were developed Alessandro Venturi, of Hotel La Griffe in Rome, the winner of Beluga Signature bartender program 2018 and Andrea Benvegna, the UK finalist of Beluga Signature bartender program 2016

Venturi’s prize includes assuming the role of Beluga’s Signature Bartender Program Ambassador 2019, and one his first assignments was to create cocktails for the World Chess Championship in London. The cocktails are available in the VIP Lounge during the Championship Match 2018.

Alessandro Venturi, Beluga bartender, commented: “I feel very privileged to be working with Beluga to produce exclusive cocktails for the FIDE World Chess Championship. Each cocktail has been inspired by chess and the allure of the Match”.

The drinks menu has been carefully crafted to represent signature chess moves and commemorate the most famous matches in chess history. The mixologists took inspiration from famous artist Marcel Duchamp, who said: “I have come to the personal conclusion that while all artists are not chess players, all chess players are artists”.

Ilya Merenzon, CEO, World Chess, said: “We’re really pleased that Beluga vodka is working alongside World Chess to create bespoke cocktails for our VIP lounge at the matches in London. Alessandro Venturi is hugely talented and respected and we’re sure guests will enjoy the cocktails while watching Magnus Carlsen defend his title in the championship match against Fabiano Caruana, the US challenger”.