2021 Asian University Chess Championship (AUCC) officially begins today with 91 players from 13 countries taking part in the men’s and women’s category. The event will run until September 14th and it will be through the Tornelo application this year.

In 2020, the inaugural online AUCC was the first event of Asian University Sport Federation (AUSF) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the impact on Asia was still present, AUSF was creative to carry out the competition in a safe manner.

AUCC 2021 is also the first collaboration with the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) after the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) with the Federation to promote the sport across Asian universities.

The ACF through the AUSF has awarded the hosting rights to  Indonesia for the online AUCC 2021. As for the Local Organizing Committee, AUSF appointed Gunadarma University with full support from Indonesian Student Sports Development Board (BAPOMI) and Indonesia University Sports Council.

AUCC 2021 has gathered participants representing 13 member federations, including China, Indonesia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan,  Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Besides 21 officials, there will be 50 male players and 12 teams in the men’s category, as well as 41 female players and 8 teams in the women’s category.

At he opening ceremony, AUSF President Xue Yanqing highlighted the collaboration with ACF and further congratulated the student athletes for overcoming various challenges to participate in this event. ”You should cherish this opportunity to compete with your opponents,” he said, “keep the passion, learn and gain more from each other under this special circumstance.”

IUSF President Prof. Aris Junaidi, together with Head of Higher Education Service Office for Jakarta Region, Prof. Dr. Agus Setyo Budi, MSc, also delivered warm welcome to all the participants. They both showed gratitude for all the support for making the event possible, hoping to raise the awareness of diverse sport events and healthy lifestyle through the hosting of AUCC.

Managing Director of FIDE, Dana Reizniece-Ozola mentioned the potential popularity and future development of chess. “Most important, enjoy the tournament, play with honor and respect, and have a fair play attitude,” she added.

Finally, Prof. Dr. E.S. Margianti, SE., MM, President of the Organizing Committee and Rector of Gunadarma University, declared the opening of AUCC with appreciation to all associated organizations and hope the participants will overcome the pandemic together.

The first-round matches for the women category begins on September 3rd while the men’s category is going to take place on September 10th. In total of 9-round Swiss System will be conducted in both categories and the results of individual competitions will lead to final team standings.

The competition will be broadcast on official media channel UGTV from 1pm to 3pm Jakarta time (GMT+7), while the match results will be made known from 7pm to 7.30pm during the event period.

AUCC 2021 will provide opportunities for university students to interact and engage with one another while competing at the same time. The friendships made and the accompanying sporting achievements will prepare them for the future.


(Source: AUSF Media Committee & the Organizing Committee of AUCC 2021)