National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Launches Second Chess Championship with Players from Various Ages and Nationalities

The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters has launched the second edition of the Chess Championship at the Museum of Modern Art. The event, which runs until August 27, is held in collaboration with the Bayt Chess Academy and features broad participation from players of various nationalities and age groups.

The championship aligns with the National Council’s commitment to supporting intellectual and cultural activities that contribute to developing strategic thinking, analytical skills, and creativity, while strengthening the presence of chess as a mental sport that brings together diverse segments of society.

The tournament is organized in partnership with the Bayt Chess Academy, founded by international chess arbiter and tournament director Bashayer Al-Zaid. It is the first specialized chess academy in Kuwait, accredited and licensed by the Public Authority for Sports.

The academy plays a key role in promoting chess culture and encouraging its practice across various social groups. It also prepares players and nurtures talent through specialized training programs and by organizing internationally rated and FIDE-accredited tournaments throughout the year, in addition to local unrated tournaments that feature players of different ages and nationalities.

Speaking to KUNA, Al-Zaid noted that the championship is divided into five age categories. The competition begins with the under-8 category, followed by the under-12, under-17, and adult categories. A separate women’s tournament will also be held on Friday.