The Qatar Chess Association (QCA) has announced its 2026 Summer Programme, set to take place from July 5 to 30 at the federation’s training centre in Doha. The initiative, organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, targets boys and girls aged 6 to 12 and aims to introduce participants to the fundamentals of chess while fostering strategic thinking and analytical skills.

The four-week camp will operate daily from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring a mix of chess instruction alongside cultural, educational, and recreational workshops. These additional activities have been developed in collaboration with several key organizations, including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Qatar Science Club, the Qatar Sports for All Federation, and Hyatt Plaza Mall.

Hamad Al Tamimi, Executive Director of the QCA, highlighted the strong response to last year’s programme, which motivated the decision to continue and expand the initiative. He emphasized the federation’s commitment to cultivating a robust chess culture in Qatar, viewing the camp as a critical component of its broader strategy to nurture future talent and promote the sport across the country.

Al Tamimi indicated that the camp not only focuses on improving chess skills but also aims to contribute to the overall personal development of the children, including enhancing critical thinking and self-confidence. A select group of federation coaches will oversee the training, ensuring that the programme’s curriculum is carefully structured to support skill refinement and long-term development for young players.

This summer programme is part of the QCA’s ongoing efforts to broaden participation in chess and identify promising players early in their development, fostering an engaging and supportive environment where children can improve both their game and cognitive abilities.