BANJALUKA ONCE AGAIN THE CHESS EPICENTER OF THE REGION

Banjaluka was once again the regional capital of chess this past weekend, during the final days of August, as it welcomed hundreds of young chess talents from Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the wider region.

The two-day chess festival — a powerful blend of tradition, knowledge, and youthful energy — lived up to expectations and reaffirmed its status as one of the most important chess events in the region. With three competitions (team, blitz, and individual) and a total of 10 tournaments, this year’s edition broke all previous records, gathering an impressive 436 participants.

In the Under 10 Team Category, first place went to ŠK "Križevci" from Križevci, second to ŠK "Velemajstor" from Brčko, and third to ŠK "Gambit 6" from Banjaluka.

In the Under 14 Team Category, the top spot was secured by ŠK "Damin Gambit" from Osijek, followed by ŠK "Gambit 3" and ŠK "Gambit 4", both from Banjaluka.

The Under 20 Team Category title was claimed by ŠŠ "Matematička Gimnazija" from Belgrade, with OŠK "9. Januar" Foča and ŠK "Petefi Šandor" from Skorenovac placing second and third, respectively.

The second day of the festival featured six individual tournaments across various age categories — U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U20 — where young players demonstrated high levels of skill, perseverance, and passion for the game.

For many participants, the results were secondary to the friendships, camaraderie, and experiences gained — elements they say will remain in their memories long after the final move.

“We were the hosts, and this event was on the level of a European championship,” said Viktor Panić from ŠK "Gambit" Banjaluka, whose team placed second in the U14 team competition. “The competition was strong, and the games were challenging.”

This year’s edition introduced exciting innovations, such as live streaming of matches and the implementation of VAR technology in chess, allowing parents, coaches, and spectators to follow games in real time from a dedicated viewing room.

According to organizers from ŠK "Gambit" Banjaluka, the festival brought together players from over 30 cities and municipalities across Republika Srpska, BiH, and neighboring countries — a record-breaking turnout that speaks to the growing importance and quality of the event.

“After two intense days and ten tournaments, we are extremely proud of what we have accomplished,” said Nemanja Šipka, president of ŠK "Gambit" Banjaluka. “This was an excellent promotion of chess as an intellectual sport, but also of Banjaluka and Republika Srpska. This event was about more than competition — it was about new friendships and building bridges between people. What matters most is that everyone left saying they’ll be back next year in even greater numbers.”

The organizers emphasized that none of this would have been possible without the support of institutions, club friends, and the media. Special thanks were extended to Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska and patron of the festival, as well as to all the players, parents, and coaches whose enthusiasm and love for the game give the event its unique energy and soul.