Erbil hosts fourth international chess tournament with 62 players

ERBIL, Iraq — The fourth international chess tournament opened in Erbil with 62 players from across the Kurdistan Region and other parts of Iraq, organizers said. The five-day event, running through August 15, is organized by the Tac Chess Club and Academy. Hussein Ali, head of the Tac Academy, said at the opening that the tournament is part of ongoing efforts to develop chess in the region. He described it as more than a competition, calling it a platform for experience-sharing among players from different areas and for nurturing young talent. Ali noted that this year's edition stands out for both its organizational quality and the number of participants. He added that chess, as a sport of thought and culture, brings young people together in a competitive setting.