Taj Chess Academy officially opened on January 4, 2026, in Erbil, in a ceremony attended by the Governor of Erbil, the Director and Deputy Director General of Sports, and local chess players. The academy, inaugurated quietly without prior announcement, aims to promote chess education and develop competitive players in Kurdistan.
Hussein Ali, founder and president of the academy, said the initiative seeks to teach chess academically and prepare players for national and international competitions. “We have managed the Iraqi chess team before, and now we want to expand toward Arab and Asian countries,” he said.
Ali explained that the academy originally started in Sanaa but was moved to Erbil because of the city’s growing chess culture. The academy also plans to cooperate with the UN to teach chess to children with disabilities. “As an academy, my family and I are the coaches, but as a club, we need at least five active members,” he added.
Looking ahead, Taj Chess Academy will host a memorial tournament on March 5, 2026, in honor of Ali’s late brother, Noah, followed by a classic tournament with prizes starting at $5,000. Ali acknowledged that the academy is starting from scratch with no current players but expressed his determination to compete internationally.
Erbil now hosts two chess academies and two wrestling clubs, reflecting the city’s growing sports culture. “We are committed to developing chess from the ground up,” Ali said. “I will continue playing and coaching until the end. We welcome support, international tournaments, and professional coaching to strengthen our program.”
The new academy marks a major step for chess in Erbil, combining education, competition, and social initiatives to place the city on the regional chess map.
