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

Kuwait City, August 17 (KUNA) — The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters launched today, Monday, 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 Al-Shatranj Academy and features broad participation from individuals of various nationalities and age groups.

The championship aligns with the Council’s commitment to supporting intellectual and cultural activities that foster 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 Al-Shatranj 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 Sport. The academy plays a key role in promoting chess culture and practice across all societal segments, developing players, and nurturing talent through specialized training programs. It also organizes annual tournaments classified and recognized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), alongside local unclassified tournaments open to players of different ages and nationalities.

Speaking to KUNA, Al-Zaid explained that the championship is divided into five age categories. Competitions begin with the under-8 category, followed by under-12, under-17, and adult categories, with a special women’s tournament scheduled for Friday.

For her part, Hanan Al-Anzi, owner and founder of Jisr Al-Global Consulting Services, told KUNA that her company is participating as a media sponsor, emphasizing its commitment to supporting initiatives that benefit society and promote inclusion and empowerment. She noted that the company has numerous initiatives both within Kuwait and abroad aimed at supporting, integrating, and empowering persons with disabilities, as well as engaging in sports, social, economic, and developmental projects that enhance their active participation in society.

On his part, Obaid Al-Shammari, owner and founder of Al-Sidr Reserve in Kuwait, stated that his participation stems from his role as a supporter of the championship. He stressed the importance of backing individual sports and events that foster community engagement and support the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Al-Shammari added that such events facilitate the exchange of experiences among participants, strengthen social interaction, and promote familiarity among Kuwaitis and residents of various nationalities. He described the championship as a model of family, community, and human cohesion.

He affirmed that Kuwaiti society is rich in talents and capabilities, and that everyone can achieve and create when given the right opportunities. He expressed hope for the continued support of such initiatives, which highlight the creativity of various societal segments. Al-Shammari clarified that his support includes providing gifts to participants and prizes to the top three finishers in each category, encouraging them to continue playing the game and achieve further success. (End) S.H.D / A.M.H