A “sport for the mind,” chess is an activity that is becoming more and more popular with Thai parents who see the benefits of training their children’s minds from a very young age. Now, of course that not all will become world (or even national) champions, but knowing the rules of chess is, in a way, just like being able to swim. It’s something you learn when you are young.
In early November of 2013, between the 1st – 3rd and then 9th – 10th, Thai chess lovers have a chance at proving their skills in this year’s Thailand National Chess Championship. The event is organized by the Thailand Chess Association and will take place in the Lotus Room at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. The tournament is going to be a FIDE rated 9-round Swiss, which means that all participants must be members of World Chess Federation and the Swiss format means that players will be matched according to their skill, with advanced players being pitted against a similar skilled opponent.
Only Thai nationals can participate in Thailand National Chess Championship, but there’s also a chance for foreigners living in Thailand to join the fun. An Expat Challenge tournament will also be held at the same location between 2nd – 3rd and 9th – 10th of November. The rules are the same, with the exception that only 7 rounds Swiss will be played, but all foreign participants must also be members of FIDE in their respective country.
As it was founded in Paris in 1924, the acronym FIDE stands for “Fédération internationale des échecs,” but the organization’s headquarters are now in Athens in Greece. There are 158 national associations who are officially recognized by FIDE, including Thailand. As of October 2013, 22-year-old Magnus Carlsen of Norway is the No.1 ranked chess player in the world, a position he has continuously been holding on since July 2011. Thailand is currently ranked 107th with the top three place being held by Russia, Ukraine and China.
Undoubtedly, the top three male chess players in Thailand, all holding the rank of FIDE Masters, will participate in National Championship. According to the FIDE website, Jirapak Pitirotjirathon (born 1977) is currently ranked No. 1 in Thailand but only 5587 in the world and 476 in Asia. He has been a FIDE Master since 2008, an official title for male players which is ahead of Candidate Master but below International Master and Grandmaster. His international record stands at 105 wins, 61 draws and 40 loses. Ranked No.2 in Thailand is Wisuwat Teerapabpaisit (born 1971) followed by Boonsueb Saeheng (born in 1966) in the third place.
The best female chess player in Thailand is Chanida Taweesupmun (born 1984) who has bee a Women Candidate Master since 2012, the lowest-ranking title awarded by FIDE. She is now ranked 2842 in the world and 352 in Asia, with 48 wins, 26 draws and 53 loses. The second and third best women Thai chess players are also Women Candidate Masters: Worasuda Atthaworadej (born 1999) and Ruja Phitchayarom (born 1992). We wish them all good luck.
Attendance to the 2013 Thailand National Chess Championship is open to anyone and is also free of charge. The easiest way to reach Queen Sirikit National Convention Center is by MRT.
If you live in Thailand and would like to play chess, find out more details in this article about the Bangkok Chess Club.
