Hebron YDRC Hosts the Launch of the Palestine Women's Chess Championship as Part of the "Our Home 2026" Season

Hebron YDRC hosted the opening of the 2026 Palestine Women's Individual Classical Chess Championship in the city of Hebron. The championship is organized by the Palestinian Chess Federation in cooperation with the Palestine Chess Association in Hebron as part of the "Our Home 2026" season, organized by Hebron YDRC to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the institution's establishment.

The championship brought together a broad field of female players from across the Palestinian governorates in a competition aimed at selecting the country's top players to represent Palestine in international competitions. Five players will qualify to participate in the World Chess Olympiad, scheduled to be held in the Republic of Uzbekistan, reflecting the growing presence of Palestinian women in mind sports.

At the opening ceremony, Safwat Al-Qawasmi, Member of the Administrative Board of Hebron YDRC, welcomed the participants and guests, emphasizing that hosting the championship reflects the institution's longstanding mission over the past three decades of supporting children, youth, and young women while providing a nurturing environment that fosters development, creativity, and excellence. He commended the Palestinian Chess Federation and the Palestine Chess Association for their efforts in developing the skills of Palestinian girls and women and providing them with opportunities to excel in a sport founded on intelligence and strategic thinking. He also reaffirmed Hebron YDRC's commitment to expanding cooperation with national institutions and supporting initiatives that invest in the development of the Palestinian people.

For their part, Issam Ghaith, Member of the Palestinian Chess Federation, and International Arbiter Hani Tleib expressed their pride in holding the championship in Hebron in partnership with Hebron YDRC and the Palestine Chess Association. They stressed that the championship represents an important milestone in preparing players for upcoming international competitions and enhancing their readiness to compete for qualification to represent Palestine.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dawood Al-Qawasmi, President of the Palestine Chess Association, emphasized that chess is a school of thought that develops strategic thinking, planning, and decision-making skills. He called for expanding participation in the sport in recognition of its role in strengthening cognitive abilities, shaping the character of children and young people, and promoting a culture of creativity and excellence.

Muammar Al-Awiwi, Member of the Hebron Municipal Council, praised the efforts of the organizers, noting that hosting the championship at Hebron YDRC reflects a national vision that recognizes the vital role of Palestinian women across all sectors while creating new opportunities for achievement and excellence. He also commended the center's developmental and community role in hosting national initiatives and events.

The championship is being held under the Swiss system over nine rounds, with a time control of 30 minutes per player plus a 30-second increment per move. The competition contributes to strengthening Palestine's presence on the international stage while reinforcing chess as an intellectual sport that develops analytical thinking and decision-making skills, in line with Hebron YDRC's mission of empowering young people, promoting community engagement, and providing spaces for creativity and learning through the "Our Home 2026" season.