All-Russian competitions take place in the building of the National Art Museum in Yakutsk these days. This is the first of 13 selection stages for 2023.
Competitions of such a high official status undergo in the region for the first time in the history of chess development and they are the first major event within the 100th anniversary of the physical culture movement in Yakutia. More than 60 athletes take part in the tournament including the Republic multiple champions.
Within the framework of the Cup famous grandmasters, such as Boris Grachev, Dmitry Kryakvin, Michail Kobaliy, Volodar Murzin and Anton Shomoev, conduct master classes for chess lovers. And the international master Vladimir Barskiy will give a master class for trainers.
The holding of the Russian Cup stage in Yakutia is a landmark event for our region. Today this sport is on the rise in the republic. We have 9 FIDE masters and more than 50 Master of Sports candidates. Chess is included in the program of the VIII International Sports Games ‘Children of Asia’, which will take place in Yakutsk in 2024. We thank RNG for the support of our competitions”, noted Vladimir Egorov, President of the Chess Federation of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
“Chess is an intellectual sport. It is gratifying that its popularity in Yakutia is only growing. We hope that the event will contribute to the development of chess in the region and its promotion among the younger generation”, commented Vladimir Rakitin, General Director of RNG.
The chess tournament in Yakutsk will run until February 1. The winners will be awarded with cups in the form of Yakut choron and memorable medals. Moreover, there are special prizes for the top participants of the republic according to their rating and age groups.