SER de Puerto Rico has announced its first chess tournament, the SER Chess Open, to be held on October 17 at the Cancha Nilmarie Santini in San Juan. The tournament is open to players of all ages and levels, aiming to promote chess for its benefits to concentration, strategic thinking, and decision-making. The event was conceptualized by José Baralt, a former SER participant and current team member, who has a background in chess and has won competitions.
Baralt, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, wants to provide opportunities for others, especially children and young people, to discover and develop their abilities. The tournament will feature categories including Open, Amateur, Elementary, and Superior, and will be played under the Swiss format with five rounds. Registration costs $20, and trophies will be awarded to the top places in the Open category, while medallions will be given to the winners of the school categories.
SER is also inviting companies and organizations to support the event, with sponsorship categories and alternatives available on the tournament's website.