The event, organized by Zaragoza City Council’s Department for Older Residents together with the Aragonese Chess Federation, brought together players over the age of 60 from 10 a.m. The tournament was open to people born in 1966 or earlier and included up to 150 participants, divided between users of the Community Centers and other registrants.
CHESS TAKES TO THE STREETS OF ZARAGOZA
The competition was held using a six-round Swiss system, with rapid games lasting five minutes plus three seconds per move. However, the spotlight was not reserved solely for registered participants, as tables were also set up so that any member of the public could face some of Aragon’s veteran champions in rapid and simultaneous games.
The initiative aims to bring the discipline closer to the entire city while also championing active aging. The municipal network currently has more than a dozen chess groups, with around 200 people practicing the activity throughout the year, in addition to projects such as “Ajedrezarte” and ten permanent workshops.
Throughout the year, these groups maintain a regular program at the Community Centers for Older Residents, where chess is part of the activities designed to develop memory, concentration and social interaction. This Thursday’s event moved that activity into public space and also opened it to those who came to Paseo de la Independenci
