On October 12, the 2024 National Western Chess Promotion Project (Qinghai Station) was launched in Delingha, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. The event, themed “Moving Forward on a New Journey: Sports Promote Health,” attracted both seasoned players and newcomers alike.
Chess, known for its strategic depth and history, has a significant global presence as both a competitive sport and an intellectual pastime. When asked why Delingha was chosen as the location for this event, Guo Haijun, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Qinghai Chess Association, explained, “The playing style of chess resembles that of Mongolian chess. Delingha is home to a significant Mongolian population, many of whom have been exposed to Mongolian chess from a young age. This local foundation was a crucial factor in our decision.”
Guo added, “Promoting chess in a community with existing interest will yield better results. By focusing our efforts here, we aim to ignite interest across the entire province of Qinghai in chess.”
The event featured renowned Chinese chess masters Zhao Yuanhe and Chen Qi, who engaged in simultaneous matches with local chess enthusiasts and held lectures on chess strategies. “The atmosphere for chess here is vibrant,” Zhao noted during his matches. “I can tell that each move made by the enthusiasts is well thought out; this hints at a promising future for chess development in this area.”
Tu Le Ge, a budding chess player, shared his thoughts on the experience. “I’ve only recently started playing chess, but I find it fascinating. I learned about this event through my school’s announcement, and with my family’s support, I decided to participate. Playing against a chess master and attending the lecture has been incredibly beneficial for my development.”
In addition to master matches and lectures, the organizers provided chess equipment, learning materials, and textbooks to schools and communities, emphasizing their commitment to promoting chess as a public service.
Wang Haocheng, Deputy Director of the Referee and Competition Committee of the Chinese Chess Association, emphasized the importance of direct engagement in promotion efforts. “It’s not enough to rely on written or video content alone. Interacting face-to-face, offering lectures, and conducting simultaneous games helps us identify challenges in promoting chess in Qinghai. We need to consolidate our resources and plant the seeds of chess throughout the region.”
Looking ahead, the Qinghai Chess Association plans to organize various chess competitions for students and amateur players, aiming to foster a rich environment for learning and competition and expand the community of chess players in the province.
This promotion activity was organized by the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Chess Association, and various local partners including the Qinghai Provincial Chess Association and the Delingha Cultural and Tourism Bureau.
