Knights and queens in the hands of children, a chess contest gathers young talents together

“In chess, I’m drawn to the importance of strategy and the joy that comes from the process: calculating moves, analysing positions, and the power of placing the queen. Yet, above all, I love the moment of checkmate, when the king is cornered with no escape,” says 10-year-old Noel Dukni, who has been playing since he was three. First with his grandfather and later with his teacher, he learned step by step to understand and control the pieces, carefully leading them towards victory.

“I don’t really have screen time because I prefer chess. Chess is different and feels real. It teaches me to plan ahead, to think critically, and it makes my brain sharper. I’ve even noticed it helps me with maths,” he explains, adding that he even uses his phone to play chess when he does not have a board.

With the winner's cup in his hand and a medal shining around his neck, he walks with the confidence of a true player, carrying the grace of the game even after the final move. He is one of 120 children and young people aged between 8 and 18 from across Albania who took part in a special event designed to give greater visibility to this sport.

EU Delegation to Albania

Europe House in Tirana buzzed with excitement as dozens of children, some barely tall enough to see over the chessboards, gathered for the National Chess Contest organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Albania. As chess strengthens the mind from an early age, developing concentration, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills that last a lifetime, the competition brought together eight age categories competing in a mixed-gender format over three days. By crowning 18 winners, the contest offered children an opportunity to grow, make friends and turn learning into an exciting adventure, while demonstrating how chess can open doors to education by encouraging critical thinking and confidence.

EU Delegation to Albania

Eight-year-old Amos first played chess in Himara, where his grandfather taught him how the pieces move and capture each other. “Chess is gymnastics for the brain. It is also the game of life because, throughout life, you will constantly face competitors,” he says proudly, recalling the turning point when he defeated his grandfather for the first time and realised that chess had truly become his game.

As many children first learn to play from their grandfathers, the grandfather-grandchild relationship built around chess is more than just a pastime; it is a bridge between generations that creates shared moments and strengthens emotional bonds. For the younger generation, it is an opportunity to learn wisdom and discipline from someone with life experience. For the older generation, it is a way to stay mentally active and connected. Together, they create a rewarding cycle of teaching and learning, where grandfathers find joy in mentoring while grandchildren gain confidence and resilience.

EU Delegation to Albania

With bright eyes and eager smiles, children advanced pawns and plotted checkmates, proving that strategy knows no age and that passion can begin early.

Another winner, eight-year-old Edem Begotaraj, explains why the middlegame is his favourite stage. “That’s when the game becomes more difficult and any advantage can lead to victory in the end. My favourite piece is the knight because I know how to play with it and I can manoeuvre it very well,” he says confidently.

EU Delegation to Albania

Children find different joys in chess. For some, it is the thrill of competition; for others, it is the opportunity to make friends and embrace new challenges.

Ten-year-old Reian Topçia says he loves the intellectual challenge that chess provides. “It has taught me thoughtfulness and commitment. When you set yourself a goal, you work hard and achieve it,” he explains.

The competition also included many girls, although they were fewer in number, highlighting the need to encourage greater female participation in the sport. One of them, nine-and-a-half-year-old Donatea, won first place in her category and, in her own words, perfectly embodies the spirit of chess.

“I started playing when I was three and a half, so I’ve been playing for six years. Chess is interesting because there are always new things to discover: new tactics and new positions that you learn game after game. When I play, I think about my opponent’s moves and plan both what they will do and what I will do. My favourite piece is the queen because she can move in any direction across the board and control many squares, making her the strongest attacking piece,” she says.

EU Delegation to Albania

These children remind us that chess is as much a game of imagination as it is of strategy, and that we may well be watching the grandmasters of tomorrow.

Chess is increasingly recognised as both an educational tool and a sport that nurtures young minds. By teaching patience, discipline and foresight, it strengthens critical thinking, while competitions provide a healthy environment in which children develop resilience, self-confidence and friendships. For young people, chess is far more than a game — it is a pathway to intellectual growth and social development, combining the rigour of education with the excitement of competition.