PYEONGCHANG, August 22, 2019- The Korea Chess Federation on Saturday, August, 10, 2019 hosted the seventh edition of World Youth Mind Sports Fair at the Yongpyong Resort, Pyeongchang Province, South Korea.

This year’s fair had three thousand young players from twenty countries across the globe competing for top prizes in Chess, Baduk and Abacus. The President of Korea Chess Federation Ms. In-Suk Hyun, in her remarks shared more insights on the significance of mind sports games in societal development and fair “World Youth Mind Sports Fair has improved tremendously since its inception in 2013. It has not just become a place where young people all over the world exercise their minds, intelligence and creativity, but also an international cultural exchange which helps the youth to develop a healthy mind to become global citizens.”

This year's theme of Mind Sports Fair was centered on peace and unification, with the dream to have a peaceful society for our future generations.  Ms. In-Suk Hyun emphasized that "The youth players who practiced in Mind Sports have a high possibility to become a talented global citizen with the outstanding level of creativity, tolerance and concentration”.

The mind sports fair consists of chess, baduk popularly known as “Go” in the Peninsula and abacus which were brewed from the intelligence and culture of the East and West. The essence of mind sports cannot be underestimated especially with its role as a tool for eradicating internet and gambling addictions among the youth. The International Olympic Committee rates the three mind sports as the best and most preferred among other brain sports. The youth who train in these mind sports have a high possibility to have a decent adolescence and improved creativeness, concentration, endurance, and so on.

On the first day of fair, there was an Open Chess Tournament, Masters Abacus Tournament, along with the side events like calligraphy, caricature, face painting, etc. There also was an exhibition of worldwide musical instruments, toys, clothes, masks and hats to enhance the cultural exchanging experiences.

On the 11th of August, the second day of the fair, there was a Masters Chess Tournament and Baduk (Go) Tournament, along with the first Chess Tournament for the Foreigners & Multicultural families in Korea.

Ms. In-Suk Hyun in her closing remarks expressed her sincere gratitude to the honorary guests who graced the event despite the hot weather and their busy schedules. “I’m more than happier to hold this 7th 2019 World Youth Mind Sports Fair in Pyeongchang, the host city for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. I give my honest appreciation to all who in diverse ways contributed to making this event a success”. “I also wish you share friendship over the different languages, cultures, even borders. Make everlasting, cherish able memories” she said.

The 2019 Mind Sports fair and festival was attended by the crème de la crème of the continents chess icons and noble personalities of the international business, political and diplomatic community including Mr. Ki Dong Song the deputy mayor of Pyongchang province, Dr. O Han Do a renowned medical practitioner who doubles as vice-president of the Korea Chess Federation, Nigel Short FIDE Vice-President, as well as, a host of other dignitaries. 

The Korea Chess Federation is planning to host some mega global and intercontinental chess events given the rapid and increasing interest in playing chess amongst the youth in the Peninsula.


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