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Fierce Matches and New Friendships at WSTCC 2025
The WSTCC 2025 in Alexandria kept its excitement alive today, with two more intense rounds completed.
Three teams are still leading with perfect scores — Kazakhstan’s National School of Physics and Mathematics, India’s Velammal MHS School, and Sri Lanka’s Royal College, Colombo. The fight for the top is getting tougher, but the event is also shining as a celebration of friendship and sportsmanship.
Morning Energy and Fun
By 10:00 AM, the playing hall was buzzing with anticipation. Some players began their day with a peaceful walk around the scenic Episcopal High School grounds, while others enjoyed the vibrant players’ lounge. Air hockey, table tennis, and casual chess games filled the room with laughter before the serious matches began.
Friendship Beyond Borders
This championship promotes one powerful message — friendship through chess. Today, players exchanged small gifts from their home countries, like trinkets and fridge magnets, creating memories that go beyond the chessboard.
The Battle on the Boards
Kazakhstan’s team is dominating with a flawless performance — not a single point dropped so far. India’s Velammal MHS School is close behind, with only 1.5 points conceded in total. Their surprising strategy of putting lower-rated players on the top boards has caught everyone’s attention.
Sri Lanka’s Royal College impressed everyone by defeating England’s Hampton School 4–0 in Round 3. In Round 4, they continued their winning streak with a strong 3–1 victory over the third-seeded University High School.
Moment of the Day
In Round 3, IM Arun Daakshin from Velammal MHS School played the brilliant move 24.Qxf6!! against The Harker School (USA). This crushed Black’s defenses completely. If Black captured the queen with Kxf6, White would deliver Be5#, ending the game instantly.
What’s Next
Tomorrow’s pairings will bring exciting top-team clashes as the Swiss system now matches leaders against each other. The race for the championship title is about to get even more thrilling.
Smart Moves Summit
Alongside the tournament, the Smart Moves Summit began today — a two-day conference exploring chess in education. Experts, educators, and policymakers discussed topics like:
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Leadership through chess
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Chess in early childhood learning
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Inclusivity in the game
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Using AI in educational tools
Two interactive masterclasses gave participants practical ways to use chess for improving young minds and understanding strategic thinking.
Tomorrow, August 5, the summit continues with more discussions, while rounds 5 and 6 of the championship promise more intense battles on the boards.
Photos: Michal Walusza, FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
