Dear parents,
Through this chess lesson for children, I offer you a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time together as a family. I thought I’d present three of the most fascinating records in the world of chess, hoping to spark curiosity and interest in both you and your little ones. I recommend clicking on the associated links to discover more interesting details alongside your children. I encourage parents to use these curiosities as starting points for discussions, questions, and—most importantly—as opportunities to learn chess and grow together with their kids.
The Largest Number of Participants in a Chess Tournament
One of the most impressive records is for the largest chess tournament, which took place in Ahmedabad, India, on December 24, 2010, with 20,480 participants. Held outdoors, the tournament was not just a competition but also a celebration of the chess community. Organizing such an event was a monumental logistical challenge. Coordinating thousands of simultaneous chess games, ensuring fairness and smooth gameplay, and managing the needs of thousands of participants required meticulous planning.
Volunteers and referees played a crucial role in the tournament’s success, making sure every move was recorded and all rules were followed.
The 10,240 chessboards on which the 20,480 participants played were arranged in 64 groups of 8 by 8, with the board colors alternating black and white—just like a giant chessboard. Among the crowd was Grandmaster and former World Champion Viswanathan Anand.
The Longest Chess Game
The longest chess game played between two people under supervision lasted 20 hours and 15 minutes. It was played by Ivan Nikolic and Goran Arsovic in Belgrade, Serbia, on February 17–18, 1989. The game ended in a draw after 269 moves. The match culminated in an endgame notorious for its complexity. A rook and bishop versus rook is a configuration in which achieving victory is extremely difficult.
Today, chess rules include the 50-move rule. This rule declares a game drawn if neither player captures a piece or moves a pawn within 50 consecutive moves. During this historic game, the rule was 100 moves, which contributed to the exceptional length of the match. (I recommend watching the end of the game at 2× speed.)
The Largest Number of Chess Games Played Simultaneously by a Single Person
In 2011, Grandmaster Ehsan Ghaem Maghami from Iran made history by setting an impressive world record. At an event held in Tehran, Iran, Ghaem Maghami played simultaneous chess against 604 opponents. A true feat that required remarkable concentration and physical stamina.
For over 25 hours, the Grandmaster moved from board to board, calculating moves and strategies. The opponents were of varying ages and skill levels.
His performance included 580 wins, 16 draws, and 8 losses—a testament to the strength of his mental endurance. Here is a summary of the event.
In conclusion, dear parents, I hope these curiosities from the world of chess have sparked your interest in exploring this wonderful game alongside your children. I encourage every family to practice chess together. It is not only a way to spend quality time but also a valuable tool for intellectual development. See you at the children’s chess classes!