Sahapol Nakvanich Elected Thailand Chess Association President

Recent years showed a tremendous surge of chess activity in this country where people say SAWASDEE KA! with the broadest of smiles as a form of greeting. One would be simply amazed of the huge turnout of participants as you go around the country from one tournament to another. Indeed, Chess in Thailand is rapidly gaining popularity these days.

Sahapol Nakvanich was recently elected President of the Thailand Chess Association by a landslide 26-5 margin over Panupand Vijjuprabha. In photo above, former President Kiitirat Na Ranong (left) congratulates newly elected President Sahapol Nakvanich.

“TCA would continue to extend our Cooperation with ACF to strengthen the mutual support for driving key developments that will progressively nurture chess in Thailand and deliver our commitments to ACF. With the pandemic situation continuing, we would use this opportunity to drive training program for East Asian countries that will continue to nurture our emerging talents,” Nakvanich wrote in his letter to the Asian Chess Federation.

TV interview of newly elected President Sahapol Nakvanich.

Bangkok, the capital dotted with hundreds of International Schools some of which offer Chess as an “after school activity” is now becoming a breeding ground for serious chess playing youngsters.

Thailand Chess Association General Assembly 

There is an abundance of Chess centers in the metropolis.  Jirapak Chess Academy, Big Rook Chess Academy, 101 Chess Academy, IWICA, Home Chess Academy, plus the newly opened ones Double Bishop Chess Academy and Red Knights Chess are a great contributing factor in shaping the future of the game in this country.

On top of that, one of the leaders of the governing Thailand Chess Association (TCA) Mr. Sahapol Nakvanich is presently a high ranking figure in the World Chess Federation (FIDE). Such voice in the global chess body may have been vital in boosting the game’s popularity.

Thailand, apart from being ranked as one of the most visited countries by tourists around in the world, has been hosting a lot of international chess events over the last few years such as Asian Amateurs, Eastern Asia Youth, Asian Youth Championship, among others.

Well, all the signs could elicit hope and optimism. Of course the need to continuously strive in threading a correct way of planning as well as embarking on good programs is always a must. happy.png

NM Winston Joseph Silva