Almaty Selected as Venue for 26th Asian Youth Chess Championships
Almaty Hosts 26th Asian Youth Chess Championships
The 26th Asian Youth Chess Championships are currently taking place in Almaty, with over 640 players from 33 countries participating in the competition. The tournament, which runs from June 9 to 21, features three time controls: classic, rapid, and blitz.
Grandmaster Darmen Sadvakassov, the first Vice President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, expressed his hopes that the event will serve as a platform for future chess stars to emerge. He highlighted the achievements of Gukesh Dommaraju, the current official senior world champion contender, who clinched five gold medals at the 2018 Asian Championships.
Sadvakassov also noted that all participants in this year’s world title matches hail from Asia, with Ding Liren and Gukesh Dommaraju competing in the men’s category, and Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi representing the women.
The Kazakhstan Chess Federation has organized a diverse leisure program for the participants, including a special match between chess and football players, master classes, and other engaging side events. In a bid to promote environmental sustainability, the federation has committed to recycling all plastic used during the tournament. Participants will actively contribute to this effort, and the recycled plastic will be repurposed to create chess boards and cups.
With nearly 40 international and FIDE masters set to compete in the Asian Championship in Almaty, the stage is set for an exciting showcase of talent across various age categories. The federation’s dedication to nurturing chess talent and promoting eco-friendly practices underscores its commitment to fostering a vibrant and sustainable chess community.
