Black and white New Year for young grandmasters

From December 24 to 27, a grand celebration was held in the Hall of Columns for young talents who were fascinated by one of the oldest games – chess. It was organized by the Moscow Chess Federation and the Department of Sports of the City of Moscow.

“The idea of ​​this winter tournament was born in the summer,” said Artyom Akhmetov, chief judge. — We offered Moskomsport to hold such a large-scale tournament either before the New Year or during the winter holidays. I think that children will get impressions of a lifetime: we have a wonderful festival-holiday. Competitions are only one part: at the end of the year, we want to recognize the best guys who achieved significant sports results in 2022. And it’s also New Year’s Eve. That is why we have limited the age bar: this is a fabulous tournament for children who believe in Santa Claus.

Therefore, along with the chess part, creative competitions were also held in the lobby. Someone prepared a dance number, someone – a vocal one. One day there was a costume contest.

In total, three tournaments took place during these four days. Boys and girls under 13 who have a sports category of at least II youth or a Russian rating played in the “A” tournament. Boys and girls up to 9 years old, having a sports category not lower than III youth or Russian rating, met in the “B” tournament.

These two tournaments were played according to the Swiss system. Such a system allows, with a large number of participants, to determine the winners in a small number of rounds. The idea is simple: in the first round, pairs are selected by lot, then in such a way that only players with an equal number of points meet at the board. Won – one point, got a checkmate – zero points, a draw – half a point. And of course, the computer that makes the pairs is programmed so that the player does not have to play only white or only black three times in a row.

Tournament “C” is special. It met 8 boys and 8 girls from fourteen years and younger, who were invited according to a special list. They played already in a circular pattern – each with each, separately for boys and separately for girls. They played not in the general hall, but on the stage, in front of everyone. It is worth mentioning, for example, Sofya Kokareva, the champion of Russia and Europe among girls under 9 years old, the daughter of grandmaster Dmitry Kokarev.

The Kokarev family is from Penza. Children from Lugansk were also invited to the tournament. There were also guests from Belarus.

– New Year’s in a week, but miracles are already coming true. Such a place and such a level of organization… We have been moving towards this for a long time,” said Sergei Lazarev, President of the Moscow Chess Federation.

Yana MAYEVSKAYA.

Author’s photo