Chess players in Shenzhen will soon have the chance to test their skills at the 4th Shenzhen International Chess Open Tournament, which will be held at the Shenzhen Book City CBD Store square Dec. 6.

    The tournament, featuring players of all levels, is designed to promote understanding between people of diverse backgrounds through their shared love of chess. The tournament utilizes six rounds of the Swiss System of play. Each match consists of 60 minutes with 30 minutes allotted to each contestant.

    Players will be divided into adults (men’s and women’s divisions) and children’s division based on age. Special guest Liu Shilan, the first female Chinese chess grandmaster, will attend the tournament as an observer.

    Entry into the tournament is free and all participants will receive gifts for participating. The best player will receive a medal, a trophy and a certificate of achievement.

    Mary Bao, president of Hanbridge Mandarin Language School, said the school has sponsored all three previous Shenzhen International Chess Open Tournaments.

    Daniel Lam, a Hong Konger who won first place last year, said he loves the tournament very much. “It has a friendly atmosphere, with many good players from different countries and around the world. I told all my students to come and compete last year, and one of them did,” said Lam. “In fact, these kinds of tournaments with locals and non-locals playing together is excellent for publicity and also promoting the values of cultural exchange through chess.”

    For more information or to register, players can call 400-600-2202 or visit www.hanbridgemandarin.com/chess_request before registration closes Nov. 25.(SD News)