To mark the occasion of International Chess Day, Volunteer.KRD organized a region-wide chess tournament that brought together participants from across the Kurdistan Region in a celebration of strategy, intellect, and youth engagement. The tournament provided a platform for friendly competition and regional connection through one of the world’s most enduring games.
International Chess Day, observed annually on July 20, commemorates the founding of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and celebrates the cultural and educational value of chess around the world.
The tournament commenced with over 50 players competing online via Chess.com, representing the cities of Erbil, Duhok, Sulaymaniyah, and Halabja. Following several rounds of online play, each city identified its top performer. The champions from each city then advanced to the final round, held in person in Sulaymaniyah.
The final competition was overseen by official arbiter Zosk Salah, and featured the following finalists: Hazhyar Rzgar (Halabja), Mustafa Kamal (Duhok), Sozvan Gohdar (Erbil), and Revar Azim (Sulaymaniyah).
The final rankings were as follows:
1st Place: Hazhyar Rzgar (Halabja)
2nd Place: Mustafa Kamal (Duhok)
3rd Place: Sozvan Gohdar (Erbil)
4th Place: Revar Azim (Sulaymaniyah)
All finalists were awarded certificates and prizes in recognition of their performance, sportsmanship, and commitment.
This tournament not only highlighted the strategic depth and universal appeal of chess but also served as a platform for fostering regional connection, intellectual engagement, and youth empowerment. Volunteer.KRD extends its sincere congratulations to the winners and expresses its appreciation to all participants and supporters who contributed to the success of this event.
