Dozens of families gathered this Sunday at the Ixtapaluca Municipal Kiosk to enjoy the first Lightning Chess Tournament, where players of all ages were able to demonstrate their skills in the game.
The event, which was run by the Outdoor Cultural Forum of the municipality’s cultural division, brought together young and old fans of this sport to have a pleasant time, such is the case of Mr. Roberto, who from a very young age has enjoyed play for hours.
‘Since I was about 20 years old they taught me how to play, and from then on I haven’t stopped. My grandchildren showed me that they were going to have the tournament and for fun they signed me up. A while ago I played with a boy of about 12 years old and I was surprised by the skill they have, it was hard for me to beat him,’ declared the 63-year-old man.
The event had two categories for the dozens of people who gathered, one for children and one for free. The contestants were divided into pairs around the 40 boards located in the kiosk, and for 10 minutes they would play to gradually disqualify the contestants.
The first was the free category where minors could face adults and people of the same age; Later, 16 pairs of children faced each other to demonstrate their skills.
‘I’ve been playing for a year, a teacher taught me because I was embarrassed to go out for recess and I stayed in the classroom. I like it a lot because it makes me think and it’s fun,’ said Ximena, an 11-year-old girl.
Some parents were accompanying their children, including some of the youngest, who were the predominant ones in the event, were part of groups led by a teacher who gave them classes to learn the sport.
Almost 100 people enjoyed the event, which even the organizers themselves confessed they did not expect to have so much participation, since they only had about 90 participants planned and in the end even more arrived than they expected, so they requested the loan of more boards.
How does the fast-paced nature of lightning chess influence the strategic decisions made by players compared to traditional chess?
## World Today News: Interview on the Ixtapaluca Lightning Chess Tournament
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of chess with two special guests who were present at the recent Lightning Chess Tournament in Ixtapaluca. Joining us are Mr. Roberto, a seasoned chess player who competed in the tournament, and Ximena, a young chess enthusiast who participated in the children’s category.
**Section 1: The Allure of Chess**
* **Interviewer:** Mr. Roberto, you’ve been playing chess for over four decades. What initially drew you to the game, and what keeps you coming back for more?
* **Interviewer:** Ximena, you mentioned that you started playing chess because you felt shy at recess. How has chess changed your experience at school and beyond?
**Section 2: The Simplicity and Complexity of Lightning Chess**
* **Interviewer:** Lightning chess is known for its fast pace and quick decision-making. What are some of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this format compared to traditional chess?
* **Interviewer:** Mr. Roberto, you mentioned being surprised by the skill of a young opponent. How does the speed of lightning chess influence the interactions between players of different age groups?
**Section 3: The Community Aspect of the Tournament**
* **Interviewer:** The tournament saw a remarkable turnout, surpassing the organizer’s expectations. Why do you think there was such a strong interest in this event, and what does it say about the chess community in Ixtapaluca?
* **Interviewer:** Ximena, what was the atmosphere like at the tournament? Did you feel a sense of camaraderie amongst the participants, despite the competitive nature of the game?
**Section 4: The Future of Chess**
* **Interviewer:** Mr. Roberto, based on your experience, what advice would you give to young aspiring chess players?
* **Interviewer:** Ximena, what are your aspirations for the future concerning chess? Do you see yourself continuing to play competitively, or perhaps exploring other avenues related to the game?
**Conclusion:**
Thank you, Mr. Roberto and Ximena, for sharing your insights into the world of chess and the success of the Lightning Chess Tournament in Ixtapaluca.
We hope this interview has shed light on the many aspects of this fascinating game, from its intellectual challenges to its ability to bring people together.
