Second Integrative Chess Tournament: Intercultural Origin of Chess Emphasized

Bonn, November 16 (OurVoice): As part of the second annual chess tournament, which took place on Saturday, Klaus Hombach, Chairman of the Bonn Donation Parliament, highlighted the intercultural importance of chess. "When you consider that chess was developed in India between 500 and 100 BC, got its name in Persia and was brought by the Arabs via North Africa to Spain, where it came to Central Europe around 1000, you can see the profound cultural connection that this game creates," explained Hombach during the award ceremony.

The chess tournament, organized by the Bonn-based association Seraji Foundation e.V. (SF), was a complete success. A total of 18 players took part in the tournament. In Group B (over 25 years), Andreas Basilius Gikas from the Bonn/Beuel Chess Club secured first place with 4.5 points and 14 Buchholz points. He was followed by Rainer Stark, head of the chess group of the Sports Association of the German Federal Parliament (SGDB), also with 4.5 points, but with 13.5 Buchholz points, and Jago Steinmann from the SGDB with 3 points and 15.5 Buchholz points. Fourth and fifth places went to Stefan Kautz and Dr Martin Ammon, both with 3 points, with Kautz scoring 14.5 and Ammon 14 Buchholz points. In group A (up to 25 years), Omar Islam won with 0 points and 13.5 Buchholz points.

The tournament was held in cooperation with BASUG, the House of Integration, the politik|atelier e.V. network and the Eine Welt Promoteren Programm. After a warm welcome from Dr Abdul Hai, chairman of the Seraji Foundation e.V., tournament director Rainer Stark addressed the occasion. Vanessa Püllen, regional promoter and coordinator of the Bonn Network for Development, and Riazul Islam, editor-in-chief of the magazine “Die Grenze”, also took part in the discussion.

In her speech, Vanessa Püllen emphasized: “Chess, with its universal language, gives us the opportunity to communicate across cultural boundaries and develop a deeper understanding with one another.” She emphasized that chess is not just about points, but also about making new connections. “New moves were learned, but also new contacts were made that will ideally last beyond this day.”

Püllen also pointed out the immense importance of civil society engagement: “Without the voluntary work of many people, this chess tournament today would not have been possible.”

The Bonn Donation Parliament has generously supported the “Chess Tournament for the Neighborhood” project with a grant of over 1,000 euros. The next tournament is already planned for November next year in the meeting room of the association and cooperation partner Netzwerk politik|atelier e.V.

Among the guests were members of the board of the Seraji Foundation e.V., including Siratun Naim, Toufiqul Hoque, Md Khurshid Hasan Sajib and Md Saiful Hyder. The cultural part was enriched by performances by the well-known singer Abdul Munim and the poet Mir ZabedaYeasmin Imi.