OFS Chess Goes Global - Reds Against Racism / Checkmate to Racism

Students and teams across the globe joined in for the international online chess event “Checkmate to Racism” on 25 March 2023 to take a stand against racism. Being organised for the third year in a row by the chess department of FC Bayern Munich and Overseas Family School, 13 teams from Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Hong Kong, Bhutan and Germany played simultaneously across several time zones for the good cause to raise awareness and tackle racism.

The pre-tournament program included a video message from former Chess World Champion Viswanathan Anand congratulating all players for their effort to speak up against racism and also highlighting the benefits of having chess programs in schools.

The president of FC Bayern Munich, Herbert Hainer, placed particular emphasis on the club's intention to actively support this important notion in his video message. The world would only have a future, if we all work together to break down borders for a more tolerant society. "Sport unites and promotes dialogue", Mr. Hainer said. His club takes a clear position against discrimination of any kind.

Furthermore, Dana Reizniece-Ozola, managing director of FIDE (World Chess Federation) participated live in the event and addressed all participants highlighting the need and importance for more of such initiatives.

The main sporting event was the team chess battle, where almost 300 students participated. East Anglian Junior Chess from the UK was the most successful team scoring 244 points, followed by OFS who finished the tournament with 235 points. Third place went to the Chess Academy Active Kids from Hong Kong. Regardless of win or loss, all players did really well and used their chance to connect across cultural and political boarders to play with a great spirit of sportsmanship while having fun. And this makes all participants winners! Interested parents could also enjoy fantastic chess commentary from Singapore’s Chess Grandmaster Kevin Goh.

Following the team battle, a high-class individual tournament was offered to the participants which included several chess grandmasters from FC Bayern Munich. While a number of OFS students attempted to score a win against these chess giants, it was only seven-year old Ashwath Kaushik who succeeded in doing so by scoring a win against tournament winner GM Alvar Alonso Rosell from Spain.