Chess has a long and colorful history in Bahrain, with many ups and downs along the way. However, it seems to be making a comeback in recent years, thanks in part to initiatives like His Highness’s School Chess Champions Tournament. Chess is a sport that often goes unnoticed by the mainstream media, but it was in the spotlight as Khalid bin Hamad attended the closing ceremony of His Highness’s Sh. Khalid Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa Chess School Championship.

The competition was open to players of all levels and saw some top-tier participants from schools around Bahrain. The event, which took place on December 4–5, 2022 in Bahrain, received a lot of attention from chess enthusiasts due to the presence of HH Sh Khalid bin Hamad.

The Khalid Bin Hamad Chess school chess championship was held in Bahrain on the 4th and 5th of December 2022

His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa attended the closing ceremony of this year’s edition chess championship in cooperation with various government bodies, including education ministry officials. The event was held at SH Khalifa Sports City Hall and involved more than 400 students from public schools as well as private ones who participated during the final stages that determined participants for the national team later on while about 5 thousand people played qualifying matches before entering the competition.

From the 4th to the 5th of December, Chess players from all over Bahrain gathered in Sheikh Khalifa Sports City, Isa Town for the Khalid Bin Hamad Chess School Chess Championship. With Chess gaining momentum in recent years, this prestigious competition was an important event that showcased the best Chess players in Bahrain. Over 400 competitors tried their luck in Swiss tournament-style rounds, where matches were divided based on skill level. The highest-scoring players were awarded the first three places per category and get recognized for their efforts. Of course, lesser-performing bouts weren’t forgotten either; dedicated Chess lobbyists saw to it that every competitor received honorable recognition for their participation and sportsmanship. A similarly impressive Chess tournament is scheduled to be held later this year as mentioned by the Minster of Education Dr.Mohmmed bin Mubarak, leading us to wonder what skilled talents we may find competing then. Whatever challenges await us, one thing is certain: We will bear witness to history happening again as Chess continues its march toward becoming a world-renowned sport!

The event was organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Bahrain Chess club and Bahrain chess federation and sponsored by HH Khalid Bin Hamad.

The Ministry of Education, Bahrain Chess Club, and Bahrain Chess Federation recently collaborated to host an educational event on chess for students across the nation. The event was generously sponsored by HH Sh. Khalid Bin Hamad, whose commitment to encouraging accessible education for all helped make this exceptional workshop possible. During the event, expert educators from a variety of chess backgrounds coached students in traditional and modern tactical principles while facilitating an atmosphere of constructive learning. The wide range of Age groups allowed participants to interact with each other regardless of their proficiency or level in the sport. With multiple information resources and classroom instruction available onsite, even less experienced players benefited from the individualized coaching they received. By emphasizing skill building through strategic improvement, the workshop progressed smoothly while inspiring students’ sense of creative exploration and cooperative achievement. Undoubtedly, this was a valuable opportunity for all involved to foster their interest in chess and discover unique methods for honing their skills among friends and peers.

A total of more than 400 players from across Bahrain competed in the event

The recent sports event held in Bahrain was an impressive display of the nation’s passion for competition. With over 400 students from across the region coming together, the atmosphere was electrifying and there was tremendous anticipation surrounding each bout. Spectators marveled as they witnessed highly skilled chess players demonstrating their abilities on the field and court, making impressive plays as they pushed themselves to their limits. Each competitor strove to be their best and represented their team with grace and sportsmanship — a fitting testament to the values of friendship and excellence. All in all, it is fair to say that both players and spectators emerged satisfied by their experience at this remarkable event, leaving behind lasting impressions that are sure to stay with them for years to come. Needless to say, Bahrain will again host many more successful events like these in the future. Overall, it’s clear that Bahrain is a nation full of incredibly talented athletes who take pride in being able to represent their country at such a grand scale. The enthusiasm radiating from those competing speaks volumes about what this nation has been able to accomplish athletically, overcoming any limitations and rising up determinedly against any challenge. What’s more, events like these also allow for newfound connections between participants who share a mutual appreciation for high-performance sports — a bond that can’t be broken by anything else! In conclusion, it’s no wonder why this tournament attracted so much attention; its sheer magnitude managed to captivate all hearts present! Furthermore, with top-notch international standards upheld throughout competition time, everyone left assured that they have just taken part in one of Bahrain’s greatest successes yet! With its inclusive spirit and respect for healthy competition reigning supreme in both mentor-athlete relationships as well as player-to-player bonds — it’s safe to say we can look forward to many more events like this one organized expertly by organizers! Who knows what potential lies ahead…? Only time will tell!

The winners of each category were then announced.

At the boys level, and in the primary stage category (6–9 years), the first place was won by the student Hudson Anthony from the New Millennium Private School, and the second place went to the student Muhammad Nabil Salim from Omar bin Abdulaziz Elementary School For boys, Hamza Mohammed Tayseer from St. Christopher’s Private School won third place.

In the primary stage (10–12 years) category, the first place went to student Navaneet Srikanth from the New Millennium Private School, the second place went to Fares Asim Qenayer from Choueifat Private School, and the third place went to Rakan Nabil from Omar bin Abdulaziz Primary School for Boys.

As for the preparatory stage (13–15 years), the first place went to James Thomas from New Millennium Private School, and the second place to Pranav Bobby from the Indian Private School, while the third place went to Taha Fathi Al-Bashir from Othman Bin Affan Preparatory School for Boys. In the secondary stage (16–18 years), the first place was won by Gobikrishna Saravanan from the New Millennium Private School, while the second place was won by Muhammad Al-Jawad Faisal from the Gulf Pearl Private School, and the third place went to Muhammad Taqi Muhammad from Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Secondary School for boys.

At the level of girls, in the primary stage category (6–9 years), the student Laila Aria Hussain from Bahrain Private School won first place, while the second place went to the student Judy Mansour Faisal from the Gate of Maali Private School, while the student Aya won the third place Fadi Mohamed from Al-Maarif Al-Haditha Private Schools.

In the primary stage category (10–12 years), Maryam Muhammad Tayseer from St. Christopher Private School won the first place, Sarah Dashti from the Capital Private School won the second place, and the third place went to Tania Singh from the New Millennium Private School.

As for the preparatory stage category (13–15 years), the first place went to Maram Hadi Al-Mousawi from Bahrain Bayan Private School, and the second place went to the student Broadha Babbitt from the New Millennium Private School, while the third place went to Sondos Osama Fouad from Al-Falah Private School.

In the secondary stage (16–18 years), the student Amrudha Lakshmi from the New Millennium Private School won the first place, while the second place went to Khadija Jaafar Salman from Saar Secondary School for Girls, and the third place went to Sarah Ayman Hujairi from the Modern Knowledge Private Schools.

Congratulations to all of the participants and winners! We are proud to have such fantastic young chess players in Bahrain. keep up the good work!

This is the first time that such an event has been held in Bahrain, and it is our hope that it will become an annual tradition.

The arrival of the Bahrain National Student Chess Championship is an exciting moment for student chess players in the country. It marks the first time that such an event has been held in Bahrain, and it is hoped that it will become an annual tradition. The tournament brings together students from over 300 different schools across Bahrain nation to compete against each other in a friendly environment. While the ultimate goal is to crown a national students champions, this tournament also serves as an opportunity for student chess aficionados to meet each other and build relationships through a shared passion for the game. Competitors will develop their skills while gaining valuable experience playing against opponents of various levels of proficiency — all while enjoying the comradery of fellow student chess enthusiasts. It’s exciting to see such an event being held in Bahrain, and we hope that it continues as a timeless tradition that encourages student growth through chess competition and fellowship.

The Khalid Bin Hamad Chess school chess championship was a huge success, with 400 players from across Bahrain competing in the event. This is the first time that such an event has been held in Bahrain, and it is hoped that it will become an annual tradition. Thank you to the His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the ministry of Education for sponsoring this event!