This year the Llobregat Open has had the joy of being able to count in its third edition of the Torneig Escolar with the association Drac Artcai, achieving a record of participation: 144 chess players! And, in addition, we have had the honor of receiving the personal support of Maria Antònia Barragán, Councilor of Sports, and Maria Valencia, Deputy Mayor for Equality and Cohesive City, both representing the Sant Boi City Council.
What could be better than mixing social work, childhood and the practice of chess? We are talking about, beyond the prizes that can be given in a competition, that, thanks to the participation of the players in the blitz tournament (5′ games), many hospitalized children will receive “Drac Artcai” stories as a gift. This noble initiative comes from the association Drac Artcai and the Ajuntament de Sant Boi, with the collaboration of the Llobregat Open Chess Tournament. In this Torneig D’ Escacs Solidari Drac Artcai 2024, with 76 participants, have been awarded the C. E. Torà player Giuseppe Enmanuel Boyer (1st classified), the Platja d’ Aro player Ricard Nadal (2nd) and the 8 years old Canadian Elliot McCallum (3rd).
Drac Artcai presenting an award, together with Maria Antònia Barragán, Councilor of Sports, and Maria Valencia, Deputy Mayor for Equality and Cohesive City, both representing the Sant Boi City Council.
At the same time, the III Torneig Escolar del Llobregat Open Chess for U-16 players without federative license has been played, as a festive approach to competitive chess for young amateurs. Let us daydream about a future, not too far away, in which we can see these boys and girls, already established as chess players, in Group A of the Llobregat Open Chess Tournament. And, if not, following the games of the tournament, either in person or through our rebroadcast channel. We all add to the chess family! In this III Torneig Escolar Del Llobregat Open Chess, with 68 participants, fathers and mothers have also been invited to participate. We have been accompanied by 17 schools, highlighting in the sporting aspect the schools of Sant Boi Escola Llor, Escola Marianau, Escola Benviure and Escola Joan Bardina, the latter as champions of the team tournament. The final classification is as follows: 1st Gonzalo De Dios (Escola Pallejà), 2nd Aleix Kostelar (Institut Joaquim Vedruna) and 3rd Pol Cámara (Escola Joan Bardina).
The day was refereed by Josep A. Nieves and Adrià Pié.
Rumor has it that Drac Artcai was spotted at the awards ceremony, delighting the children present. And about dragons, I would like to share a confidence with you: many times, when the media touches on the subject of hospitalized minors, the feeling floats in the air that everyone lives that season as a period in their lives, but unfortunately this is not always the case. We find it hard to accept that some lives are brief, ethereal like the air that rests in an unfinished stanza, no matter how much it pains us. In these situations, the visit of the Drac Artcai, bearer of joy, liberator for a few moments from the yoke of suffering and pain, is pertinent. The smile of these children is a sacred redoubt of hope. If you wish, you can learn more about this association at www.dracartcai.com.
On the right of the photo, Roberto Villa, director of the school tournament.
