CHESS HOPEFULS ARRIVE IN BANJA LUKA AGAIN THIS YEAR

Young chess players from Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Podgorica, Zagreb, Pančevo, Vukovar, Prijedor, Jajce, Teslić, Doboj, Obudovac, Derventa, Brčko, Bijeljina, Pale, Foča, Nevesinje, Križevci, and Novi Banovci will once again measure their skills at the most prestigious and largest chess tournament in the Balkans. Last year, this tournament in the largest city of the Republika Srpska gathered 275 participants from four countries.

Banja Luka will host the 4th International Chess Festival "Banja Luka Trophy 2024" on August 24th and 25th. The tournament is the most significant event organized by the Chess Club "Gambit." The festival will be held in the Crystal Hall of the "Bosna" Hotel.

Two competitions (team and individual) and a total of nine separate tournaments are planned, and this unique event is intended for children up to 18 years old.

On Friday, August 23rd, 2024, in the afternoon, the arrival of the guest teams is scheduled. On Saturday, August 24th, three team tournaments for ages up to 10, 14, and 18 will be played. The official opening is at 10:00 AM, followed by the first round of play. On the same day, in the evening, an Open Blitz tournament (3 minutes per player + 2 seconds per move) will be organized.

On Sunday, August 25th, six individual tournaments will be played for ages up to 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18. On the second day as well, the tournament will be officially opened at 10:00 AM. The tournament will consist of 9 rounds played according to the Swiss system, with a time control of 8 minutes per player + 4 seconds for each move.

"Our main goal is to host around 300 children during the two days of competition. This year, we have made great efforts to ensure that the tournament's organization is of the highest level so that all participants can enjoy themselves, meet their peers, make new friendships, and most importantly, return from Banja Luka with a wealth of beautiful memories," said the organizers.

For more information, visit the official tournament website at www.trofejbanjaluke.com.