The tournament, jointly organized by TChess Club and Chess Grandmasters Club, was held on Aug.
30 in South Quy Nhon Ward, bringing together players from 15 local units across nine groups: U6, U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U13, open and parents.
The tournament was significantly larger than previous editions, creating substantial organizational demands as hundreds of players competed across multiple age groups and categories in a single day. Despite the scale, the competition proceeded smoothly.
Before each match, players were reminded of competition etiquette, key regulations and procedures for dealing with unexpected situations during play.
For the youngest competitors, the tournament offered an early introduction to the pressures of competitive chess. Sitting at the board, following time controls and calculating moves independently brought a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
“I just started learning chess, so I was quite nervous during the competition”, said Đặng Nguyễn An Phú, 6, of TChess Club. “I will try my best to practice so that one day I can play as well as the older kids”.
Older players showed greater composure and an ability to assess their own performance. Trần Đoàn Thế Đông, 11, from Tam Quan Ward and Hoài Nhơn Chess Club, traveled a considerable distance to compete.
“I am passionate about chess, so every time I get to play, I feel very happy”, Đông said. “What I enjoy most is competing with others to see where I need to improve, and after each game, I learn from my mistakes to do better next time”.
Having competed in several grassroots tournaments, Đông said he was no longer fazed by competitive pressure. With support from his family, he continues to gain experience and improve his skills through each event.
A notable addition this year was a parents’ group, giving parents the opportunity to compete across the chessboard alongside the younger participants.
Their involvement offered them a deeper understanding of their children’s passion while strengthening family bonds and reflecting the broader social support for chess in the area.
Võ Trần Yên Phương, head of Bình Định Club in Bình Định Ward, brought seven students to the tournament and praised the opportunities grassroots competitions provide for young players.
Regular competition allows children to become accustomed to pressure, gain experience and identify weaknesses, Phương said. It can also help sustain their interest in chess, gradually improve their skills and encourage them to remain committed to the sport.
“Organizing a tournament with hundreds of participants is no simple task”, Phương said, citing the need for expertise, manpower, venues, operations and funding.
“Personally, I hope the children will have more opportunities to compete, gain experience, and mature; in turn, this will help the chess movement spread and develop further”, Phương said.
Grassroots tournaments can also serve as a starting point for developing elite chess talent.
Through training at local clubs and participation in competitions, young players can demonstrate their potential, attract attention and eventually be selected for the provincial chess talent pool.
Nguyễn Thị Thúy Triên, head of TChess Club, said the tournament benefited from parental support as well as attention and sponsorship from benefactors, helping organizers improve the professionalism of the event and create more opportunities for players to learn and develop.
“For young players, every match is a new challenge”, Triên said. “They may win or lose, but what matters is that they recognize what they still lack, continue to improve, and build up experience and competitive spirit”.
Tournaments also allow clubs to assess the progress of their training programmes, identify promising players and continue developing them for higher-level competitions, she said.
