Simultaneous chess in Pogradec/ 15 enthusiasts of this game become part of the championship

2025-07-20 15:00:00, Qyteti im CNA

Pogradec hosted a special event dedicated to chess today, where 15 chess enthusiasts, young and old, took part. This activity attracted their attention, creating an atmosphere of concentration but also challenge. Among the participants were young people who had started learning the game since childhood, often self-taught or guided by their grandparents, as well as names that are already known to the local chess community.

For Kleo Ismail, this was the second time she participated in this type of event, and she managed to win the match, showing not only technical skills, but also calmness and patience in the game.

"I'm very excited. It's my second time in this championship, I was there last year and won fourth place, and this year I played with a chess master and came out the winner. I learned chess from my grandfather when I was little. I've always enjoyed chess and I've grown up slowly."

In addition to individual matches, the aim of this activity is also to promote chess as a sport with high educational values, which helps in the development of logical and strategic thinking, especially in children and young people. Pogradec has a rich tradition in this regard. Entire generations have grown up with a passion for the game of chess, just like Niko Basho, a former champion in this field. He shows that there is no shortage of examples of players who have won important titles, such as Republic Champion or International Master, and who were formed precisely in this city.

" In high school I became the district champion, and then I continued on by winning titles as a master. Later I created the girls' and youth teams. The girls' team became the Republic Champion, as an individual Tereza Basho became the champion in Durrës. Altin Çela became the champion, where he also received the title of "international chess master" abroad. This shows that chess in Pogradec does not come only from the work we have done, but the nature of the people of Pogradec itself is strange. They love chess. It has become a family tradition. Teams should be created like these parallels in basketball and football."

This year, the event took on an international dimension. A participant from the United States, who has recently been living in Pogradec, decided to participate in the event after learning about it through social media. Although he had not played chess for years, he experienced the event as an emotional return to an early passion, highly appreciating the organization and hospitality of the city.

"It's not long since I came here to Pogradec, from America. It's my first time in a chess championship and I learned about it through Facebook. A special experience for me, I hadn't played chess for more than 20 years and I'm happy to be back to this game."

The chess simultaneity in Pogradec shows that this game knows no age, nationality or borders. It is a universal language that unites people through thought and challenge. What was once seen as a silent game at home is today turning into a community activity, which values the passion, dedication and intellectual heritage of a city that has always had chess at its heart./ CNA