Latest Updates & Results
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9 April 2018
In recent years India has all but made the Asian Youth Chess Championships its own and this year was no different, taking a total of 35 gold medals from the 68 available across all age categories.
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April 2018
Complete medal tally and title awards across all categories — U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, and U-18 — including individual Standard gold, silver, and bronze winners and WCM titles conferred.
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8 April 2018
The Blitz championships on Sunday 8th April saw India and Vietnam emerge as the top-performing nations, continuing their strong showing from the Standard and Rapid events.
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April 2018Sunday's Parallel Activities
Alongside the main tournament rounds, Sunday featured parallel chess activities and side events for participants and visitors at the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew venue in Chiangmai.
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April 2018IO Sahapol Nakvanich
A feature on International Organizer Sahapol Nakvanich, a key figure in the organization of the 2018 Asian Youth Chess Championship by the Thailand Chess Association.
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April 2018
Insights from Korea Chess Association Managing Officer Song Jinwoo on the growth of chess in Korea — from FIDE membership in 2006 to over 1,000 players with FIDE ID and expectations of 1,000 FIDE-rated players by 2020.
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April 2018Grandmaster Preparation with Jacob Aagaard
The Asian Youth Chess Championship 2018 brought together the continent's most promising young players in Chiangmai, Thailand, for a fortnight of intense competition across multiple age categories. Organised by the Thailand Chess Association under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation, the event welcomed participants from dozens of federations representing countries large and small. Young competitors, ranging from the under-eight section through the under-eighteen divisions, travelled to the northern Thai city with their coaches, families, and accompanying supporters. The championship offered not only standard classical play but also rapid and blitz formats, giving players multiple opportunities to test their skills against peers from across Asia.
The news section of the championship website kept participants, parents, and chess enthusiasts informed throughout the event, with regular updates covering everything from registration logistics to final results. Reports highlighted the achievements of medalists and title winners, with nations such as India, Vietnam, and Korea frequently appearing among the top finishers across the various categories. The updates also documented the parallel activities organised alongside the main tournament, including blindfold exhibitions and special events that showcased the artistry of the game. For those unable to attend in person, these reports served as a window into the daily rhythm of the championship, capturing both the competitive drama and the camaraderie that defined the gathering.
Beyond the tournament hall itself, the championship organisers ensured that participants experienced the warmth and hospitality of Chiangmai. The city's rich cultural heritage, with its temples, markets, and natural surroundings, offered families and accompanying persons a memorable backdrop to the chess competition. The organising committee arranged practical support for travel, accommodation, and daily needs, allowing players to focus fully on their games. The cooperation between the Thailand Chess Association, local chess clubs, and international volunteers helped create a smoothly run event that reflected well on the host nation. Many participants took the opportunity to explore the region during rest days, turning the championship into a cultural exchange as much as a sporting contest.
The regulations for the 2018 championship were carefully designed to be inclusive while maintaining high competitive standards. Age eligibility was determined by the player's birthday as of a specified cut-off date, with separate open and girls sections in each category. Federations were invited to nominate their representatives, with the maximum number of players per country clearly outlined in the official invitation. The championship served as a qualifying pathway for many young talents seeking recognition on the international stage, and the titles awarded carried significant prestige within the Asian chess community. The official website provided comprehensive information about entry procedures, fees, and deadlines, ensuring that all interested federations could participate without confusion.
Jacob Aagaard's involvement in the championship programme added a significant educational dimension to the event, with his grandmaster preparation sessions drawing considerable interest from ambitious young players. Aagaard, known for his deep understanding of chess training and his widely respected books on the subject, offered insights into the mental and technical demands of high-level competition. These sessions complemented the tournament experience by helping players understand how to approach their own improvement beyond the event itself. For many of the young competitors, the opportunity to learn from a grandmaster of international repute was as valuable as the tournament games themselves, reinforcing the championship's role as a platform for developing the next generation of Asian chess talent.
A look at grandmaster-level preparation insights relevant to the competitive environment of the Asian Youth Chess Championships.
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April 2018With Two Rounds to Go
Mid-tournament standings and analysis as the championship entered its decisive final rounds, with India already showing a commanding lead in the medal race.