National Schools Chess Championship kicks off in Shenyang

The 2018 National Schools Chess Championship got underway in Heping district in Shenyang, Northeast China’s Liaoning province, on July 23, and will conclude on July 27.

The event is being hosted by the Chinese Chess Association and the Chinese School Board Association, and organized by Shenyang’s education bureau and Heping district.

A total of 336 players of 45 teams from 16 provinces and cities in the country are taking part in the championships, with participant numbers reaching a record high.

Xie Jun and Hou Yifan, both Chinese chess grandmasters and previous women's world chess champions, attended the opening ceremony.

In addition to the chess action, a forum on chess and education will be hosted during the event, as well as an awarding ceremony for 71 chess specialized schools in the country.

Shenyang Railroad No 3 Primary School is one of the chess specialized schools in Shenyang. The school has been offering chess lessons for students for more than 20 years, allowing all students at the school the opportunity to play chess.

In the next few days, players will compete in nine rounds of matches.

The 2018 National Schools Chess Championship begins in Shenyang, Liaoning province, on July 23. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Players compete during the 2018 National Schools Chess Championship in Shenyang, Liaoning province, on July 23. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

A player pictured in chess competition in Shenyang, Liaoning province, July 23 [Photo/Shenyang Daily]