BALINEWSID.COM, GIANYAR — The Bali Rapid Open Tournament (BROT) 2026 officially opened in Blangsinga, Gianyar Regency, on Sunday (May 10), drawing a total of 416 chess players from Indonesia and abroad. The event has become one of the largest chess tournaments held in Bali this year.

Chairman of Percasi Bali, I Nyoman Parta, expressed pride in the strong participation, particularly from students. Of the total participants, 248 are from elementary to high school levels, while 168 compete in the general category.

Parta emphasized that chess is more than just a sport, describing it as a medium for character building and cognitive development. He noted that the game plays a significant role in strengthening the mental resilience of younger generations, especially amid the growing influence of the digital world.

“Chess serves as a filter for young people against the negative impacts of excessive gadget use. Playing on a physical board helps reduce screen dependency while enhancing social interaction and critical thinking skills,” he said.

The BROT 2026 tournament features participants from 10 provinces across Indonesia as well as four countries: Indonesia, England, Russia, and Ukraine. Competitors range from beginners to grandmasters, including several national-level chess athletes.

Parta highlighted that chess offers a clear and structured development pathway up to the international level. He expressed optimism that the strong enthusiasm surrounding the tournament would produce future high-achieving chess players from Bali and Indonesia.

“I believe this momentum will give rise to outstanding players in the future, possibly even grandmasters,” he added.

He further explained that chess players tend to lead more structured and composed lives due to their habit of analyzing every move before taking action. Players are also trained to accept defeat as part of the learning process.

“Chess players are accustomed to predicting risks and consequences. This makes them more thoughtful and less reactive when facing life’s challenges,” he said.

According to Parta, the logical principles applied in chess are highly relevant to daily life, particularly in managing mental pressure and addressing social issues.

“Chess teaches better stress management. This is important in responding to various social challenges, including the recent concerns over suicide cases in Bali,” he concluded.