The FIDE World School Chess Championship 2024 began on May 1 in Lima, Peru’s Constitutional Province of Callao. The event started with a dazzling opening ceremony to mark the beginning of the prestigious chess tournament.
Among the notable attendees at the opening ceremony were Guido Flores Marchan, president of the Peruvian Sports Institute (IPD), Morgan Niccolo Quero Gaime, Minister of Education of Peru, and Ciro Castillo Rojo Salas, the Regional Governor of Callao. These officials graced the event and added to the grandeur of the occasion.
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Ciro Castillo Rojo Salas, the regional governor of Callao, and Minister of Education Morgan Quero initiated the competition by making the first ceremonial moves on one of the chess boards. Additionally, a dance performance by a local group was showcased, representing the diverse regions of Peru—its coast, mountains, and jungle.
The championship featured six age groups: U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, and U17, with separate events for both open and girls’ categories. A total of 1200 chess players from 26 countries participated in the championship, making it a truly international event. Each category consisted of 9-round Swiss tournaments, adding an element of competitiveness to the games.