2026 Term 3 Linglong Cup Junior Chess Championship: 242 Young Players Gather in Brisbane

On 16 August 2026, the Term 3 Linglong Cup Queensland Junior Chess Championship, hosted by KING & QUEEN CHESS CLUB — a club under Queensland Chess School — and proudly sponsored by Linglong Tire Australia, came to a successful conclusion at MacGregor State High School.

The tournament brought together 242 young chess players from across Queensland, creating a memorable day of competitive chess, friendship and community spirit.

With the chessboard as the stage and chess as the common language, young players from different backgrounds came together to challenge themselves, gain valuable tournament experience and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a major junior chess event.

Bringing Together Some of Queensland's Best Young Players

The Linglong Cup was a strong gathering of Queensland's emerging chess talent, with a number of highly accomplished junior players taking part, including players holding FIDE titles such as IM, FM, CM and WCM.

What made the tournament particularly special was the commitment shown by families travelling from across the state. Young players made the journey from Bundaberg, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, travelling considerable distances simply to take part in this celebration of junior chess.

Once the games began, the long journeys were forgotten. Across the tournament hall, players sat quietly at their boards, calculating carefully, making confident decisions and fighting for every point. Alongside their chess ability, they demonstrated something equally important — respect, sportsmanship and good tournament etiquette.

They showed that competitive chess is not simply about winning. It is also about learning how to think under pressure, accept both victories and defeats, respect opponents and continue moving forward.

A Tournament Made Possible by a Strong Community

A successful chess tournament is never the work of one organisation alone. It is the result of many people working together behind the scenes. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to making the Linglong Cup possible.

We are equally grateful to the many parent volunteers who generously gave their time throughout the day. From registration and player assistance to venue organisation, distribution of materials and returning tables and chairs after the tournament, our volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Their contribution was invaluable.

Thank You to Every Parent

We also want to thank every parent who brought their child to the tournament and stayed throughout the day. The hours spent waiting, encouraging, supporting and reassuring young players may happen quietly in the background, but they are an essential part of every child's chess journey. Behind every young player sitting at the board is a family supporting them.

More Than Trophies and Medals

Chess teaches lessons that extend far beyond the tournament hall. Throughout the day, young players faced unfamiliar opponents, difficult positions and moments of pressure. They had to think independently, make decisions, manage time and respond to unexpected challenges. These experiences develop much more than chess strength. They build:

• ♞Calmness under pressure
• ♞Critical thinking
• ♞Courage to face challenges
• ♞Strategic and long-term thinking
• ♞Resilience after setbacks
• ♞Respect for opponents
• ♞Friendships through competition

These are qualities that can stay with a child long after the tournament results have been forgotten. A trophy may sit on a shelf, but the ability to think clearly, make decisions and learn from mistakes can accompany a young person throughout life.

We hope every player will take the lessons gained from the Linglong Cup back into their everyday learning and continue to develop both on and off the chessboard.

Congratulations to Every Player

A warm congratulations to all players who earned a place on the podium.

But we also want to recognise every child who sat down at the board, faced their opponents and completed the tournament with determination.

Chess can be challenging. Having the courage to compete is already an achievement. Every game is an opportunity to learn. Every difficult position is an opportunity to improve. Every loss can become a lesson, and every victory can become motivation for the next challenge.

Regardless of final ranking, every young player who participated in the Linglong Cup took another important step forward in their chess journey.

A New Generation of Tournament Experience

The Linglong Cup was fully organised and delivered by KING & QUEEN CHESS CLUB, with tournament organisation receiving very positive feedback from participating families. One of the highlights was the introduction of our upgraded crystal-style trophies and medals, which were warmly received by both children and parents.

We are committed to continuing to improve the tournament experience. For future events, we will continue upgrading our trophies, medals and player experience so that every young chess player can feel proud of the achievements they have earned through hard work.

Building a Stronger Chess Community in Brisbane

Looking ahead, KING & QUEEN CHESS CLUB will continue developing junior chess within the Brisbane community, while also creating opportunities for players from different backgrounds to come together through chess.

Our goal is to establish regular, professionally organised tournaments, including FIDE-rated chess events, so that local players can gain serious competitive experience without always needing to travel outside Brisbane.

Chess can be a powerful bridge between communities. Through tournaments, young players can compete, make friends, experience different cultures and learn from one another — all through the universal language of the chessboard. At the same time, tournaments provide parents with an opportunity to meet, connect and share experiences as their children grow together.

Thank You for Being Part of the Linglong Cup

Once again, our sincere thanks go to Linglong Tire Australia, Brisbane Chinese School, JRL Advance Solar, Yan Real Estate, our professional arbiters, parent volunteers, families and, most importantly, all 242 young players who made the Linglong Cup possible.

We also warmly welcome more businesses and community organisations to join us as partners in future junior chess events. Together, we can create more opportunities for Queensland's young chess players to compete, learn, connect and grow.

The Linglong Cup is only the beginning. We look forward to seeing these young players back at the chessboard — stronger, wiser and ready for their next challenge.

See you at the next tournament!