Doha: The Qatar Chess Association (QCA) concluded the 2025 Pre-University Education Chess Championship, held in collaboration with Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF).

According to Qatar News Agency, the event gathered 72 players from both genders representing six schools. It was organized as part of an agreement between QCA and QF to integrate chess into schools and academies under QF's umbrella. The initiative aims to expand the base of young practitioners involved in local competitions and increase the number of players registered and ranked by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

In the boys division, Hamad Al Mannai of Qatar Academy Doha Primary School claimed first place, with Ali Salman Al Jalahma of Qatar Academy Doha Preparatory School and Nasser Faisal Al Thani of Academyati finishing second and third, respectively. In the girls division, Qatar Academy Doha Primary School dominated, with Aisha Mohammed, Fatima Al Darwish, and Maryam Al Sulaiti taking the top three positions. The school also clinched first place in the team category.

President of QCA, Mohammed Al Mudahka, expressed satisfaction with the tournament's successful conclusion. He praised the collaboration between QCA and QF, emphasizing its role in promoting chess culture across pre-university schools. Al Mudahka highlighted the importance of using chess as an educational tool to enhance students' critical thinking, mathematical skills, and self-confidence.

Abdullah Shaheen Al Kaabi, Head of the Sports Affairs Section at QF's Pre-University Education, affirmed the partnership's intention to promote chess culture among students and develop their cognitive skills. He emphasized the collaboration's role in providing diverse opportunities that enrich student engagement and enhance strategic thinking.

The joint initiative aims to upskill QF's educational staff with support from QCA, establish chess clubs across the Foundation's campuses, and organize various events and tournaments. Last year, QCA launched a project with the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to establish chess clubs in select public model schools, training teachers to introduce students to chess and enhance their cognitive abilities.