Making Friends Through Chess: Sino-Foreign Youth Friendship Chess Match Successfully Held_Express

On the afternoon of July 2, the “Making Friends Through Chess: Sino-Foreign Youth Friendship Chess Match” was successfully held at the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, attracting more than 40 young chess players from over 20 countries, including China, Russia, Malaysia, Gabon and Honduras. Taking chess as a bond, they wrote a new chapter of people-to-people exchanges.

The event was hosted by the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and organized by the Dongcheng District Board and Card Game Association. Participants came from a host of Beijing-based universities and research institutes such as Tsinghua University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Minzu University of China, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Capital Normal University, and Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication. Bringing together young chess enthusiasts from different countries, the event created a cross-cultural exchange platform that is both professional and welcoming.

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Unlike conventional competitive events characterized by intense pressure, the friendship match was marked by a relaxed and lively atmosphere. The match adopted a rapid chess format, with players devising tactics over their boards—at times lost in thought, at times making swift moves.

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The human-AI chess experience area set up on one side of the venue was also a crowd favorite, with many players lining up for the novel experience of playing against a high-level AI opponent. They honed their skills in contests against algorithm-powered AI, occasionally marveling at its brilliant moves.

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After more than two hours of friendly matches, the top eight finishers were determined. Players from China, Honduras and Malaysia were among the winners.

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“Friends Around the World Gather in Beijing”

International Friends’ Home Series

In 2026, the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries is committed to building bridges for people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and youth friendship. Through the “Friends Around the World Gather in Beijing” International Friends’ Home series of events, the association has contributed to Beijing’s efforts to become a charming international city that welcomes global guests and makes them feel at home.