Sri Vijaya Puram: In celebration of International Chess Day, the Directorate of Education in collaboration with the Andaman and Nicobar Chess Association (ANCA) will be organizing an open blitz chess tournament on Sunday, July 20, 2025, from 3 pm at the Marina Park Walkway. The event is open to all players and aims to highlight the strategic value of chess while encouraging community-wide participation.
The tournament is free to enter, but participants must hold a valid AICF (All India Chess Federation) registration for the 2025–2026 period. As a symbolic gesture, players are required to wear white T-shirts to promote unity and sportsmanship.
The event is designed to be inclusive and informal while still maintaining professional standards of play. Blitz chess, a fast-paced format with limited time per player, is especially suited for open air settings and public participation. With limited slots available, entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registrations are open until July 18, and interested participants can sign up via the Google Form link: https://forms.gle/HSv7QvNp9sT7BfjF9. For queries, players can contact 9434293379 for more information.
The event is part of a broader attempt by local chess bodies to popularize the sport beyond competitive circuits. Over the years, ANCA has held district-level events and inter-school matches, but this open tournament at a public park is being promoted as a community celebration of chess as both a game and a developmental tool.
Chess has increasingly gained recognition for its cognitive benefits, including enhanced concentration, memory, and decision-making skills. By tying the event to International Chess Day, organizers aim to draw attention to the game’s educational value and global appeal.
With the Islands steadily building a reputation in the national chess circuit through promising school-level players, this public tournament offers both visibility and engagement. Spectators are also welcome to attend, and the open setting is expected to draw casual interest from park-goers and tourists.
If successful, such community-format tournaments could become a recurring feature in the local sports calendar, encouraging more youth to take up the game competitively.
