National Youth Chess Championship 2022 Winners
Lhundrup Minjur Dorji, a Class VIII student of Dr. Tobgyel School representing Thimphu Youth Friendly Integrated Service Center (YFISC) won the first National Youth Chess Championship 2022 held at Le Meridien in Thimphu on September 9. He lifted the trophy after winning all five rounds of games.
Kinzang Norbu from Bajo Youth Centre and Sonam Choden from Phuentsholing YFISC bagged second and third place respectively.
A total of 26 youths including 13 boys and 13 girls who were the winners of the regional chess championships that was held in August competed for the title. Among them was a 10-year-old, Sidanth Bhandari from Changjiji Youth Centre, the youngest player who was able to win three games at the event.
According to Ugyen Wangchuk, the General Secretary of Bhutan Chess Federation, “The winners will get the opportunity to compete with renowned international masters, grandmasters and candidate masters.”
The Ministry of Education organized the championship jointly with Bhutan Chess Federation and UNICEF Bhutan to promote youth health and wellbeing through sports. Records shows that playing chess contributes significantly to enhancing creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills and overall intelligence in children.
Meanwhile, chess is expected to be an integral part of youth engagement program at the youth centers and YFISCs.