The Strength of Youth!

940 – that’s the official number of participants in this 23rd edition, and more than 50% of them are under 22 years old.

CAPECHECS is getting younger every year, and that’s refreshing news. Young players throw themselves wholeheartedly into their games. They radiate energy. For some, it’s their very first taste of competitive chess. They discover the unique, friendly atmosphere of this very cool tournament. Very quickly, they make new friends. At Cap, it’s all about chess—and celebration!

Chess in Schools
The first reason behind this surge of enthusiasm is the political commitment to promote chess in schools. In 2013, members of the European Parliament voted for the “Chess in School” program. Chess was officially recognized as an integral part of young people’s education, valued for its principles and virtues, starting with mutual respect and inclusion.

The Queen’s Gambit
The pandemic was a global hardship, but it also introduced millions to the story of a young chess champion. Of course, this was Netflix’s series The Queen’s Gambit, released in 2020. How many young people saw themselves in its heroine, Elizabeth Harmon? The image of chess as a closed, inaccessible world was shattered for good. Children and teenagers alike discovered that there are indeed “more adventures on a chessboard than on all the seas of the world.”

They flocked to online chess platforms, admired the new stars of the game—streamers and influencers—and, for the most passionate, joined clubs. CAPECHECS is riding that wave!

Quote of the Day

"When many young boys and girls play chess in schools, we are certain to discover new talents."
— Anatoly Karpov