The European School Chess Championships will make history in June 2024 as the first European chess championships to be held in Ireland.
The tournament will take place at the University of Limerick from 30th May to 8th June 2024.
The Irish Chess Union won the bid to host this major chess tournament against four other countries, with the support of UL, Limerick City & County Council, Failte Ireland and the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau.
Over 300 children, aged between 5 and 16 years, from all corners of Europe are anticipated to participate in the European School Chess Championships and will be joined by family, coaches and supporters.
The games will be broadcast live to spectators around the world on Twitch TV and online.
The decision to bring the European School Chess Championships to Ireland reflects the unprecedented growth the game has experienced since the pandemic. The promotion of chess in schools has increased significantly most notably in the classroom following continuous professional development (CPD) courses for primary school teachers now realising the benefits of chess in education, notably in social skills and critical thinking.
Limerick as host city is fitting as it’s home to Diana Mirza who claimed the World Schools Under-17 Chess Championship in 2017.
“We are delighted to announce that the European School Chess Championships will take place in Ireland for the first time,” said Irish Chess Union Chair Desmond Beatty.
“Building on the success of both Glorney Cup and Chessmates internationals, this is a remarkable opportunity for us to showcase Ireland’s thriving chess community, promote the growth of the game, and provide an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike.”
“This is a first for Ireland, but hopefully not the last. I encourage local people and businesses to get behind this event and actively support these bright young minds. There will be opportunities to support the overall tournament and individual students.”
“Attracting the European School Chess Championships to UL highlights the success of our one stop model with accommodation, catering and venues on site,” added David Ward of the University of Limerick.
“We look forward to setting the stage for a thrilling tournament in June 2024 and hope that many memorable moments will unfold.”
