BANGKOK, 19 April 2012 – The Finance Ministry is prepared to organize the Thai Chess Competition, with an aim to have the record of 1,000 chess boards at one event.
The Thai Chess Competition will be held during April 21-22 at the National Stadium. The objectives are to encourage youth to utilize their free time on useful activities and promote Thai chess to the world.
The organizer expects to have 1,000 chess boards or 2,000 competitors at the event, breaking the new record, with the participation of amateur and veteran chess players alike.
Thai chess has pieces moved and positioned differently from regular chess; for example, the Thai Queen only moves one square diagonally while a regular Queen can move any number of squares vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
Deputy Finance Minister Tanusak Lek-uthai said many Thai children have become addicted to online games or involved in narcotic drugs; therefore the ministry and other related agencies will hold this event as part of an effort to encourage beneficial activities among them.
He said chess can help improve thinking, planning, and problem solving abilities, adding that it also encourages youth to use wisdom instead of violence in their daily life.
Interested people can find more information about the chess competition at www.thaibg.com.
