Opened a chess club in Yaroslavl and visited a chess capital (Part 1)

On July 25 and 26 Sergey Karjakin took a personal part in opening his own chess club in United Russia public support office in Yaroslavl and visited a chess festival during the Governor’s Cup in Danilov

Right after the spring session of the Federation Council Sergey Karjakin representing Republic of Crimea and Natalia Kosikhina from the Yaroslavl Region performed a speedy voyage from Moscow to Yaroslavl. They had to deal with Friday heavy traffic to participate in a very important event in the life of the region – opening of Sergey Karjakin’s chess club in United Russia public support office. And they managed to get there in time!

Also in time were the Yroslavl Region governor Mikhail Evraev, the regional Unted Russia secretary Evgeny Churkin, the minister of sports Tatiana Turchinova as well as the leader of “Sergey Karjakin’s chess clubs” project and the Moscow Region Chess Federation executive director Albert Minnullin and other honorable guests.  

Mikhail Evraev was the first one to speak at the opening ceremony: “Today we are having a wonderful event in a new beautiful United Russia public support office where Sergey Karjakin’s chess club will work from now on. This sport showed new success in our region. Nearly two years ago we insisted on having mandatory chess lessons in school. We bought the boards and chess pieces, trained the teachers and engaged coaches from sports schools. Our goal is, and that goes without saying, is to make our girls and boys clever. Further on they will decide themselves whether they want to play or not, but it is important for everyone to become clever”.

In his reply multiple world champion Sergey Karjakin expressed his gratitude to the Yaroslavl Region governor and “Unted Russia” political party and said: “Taking into consideration that this region is a chess region, I think that to open a chess club here is a positive initiative. It will complete the existing chess life in here. That is why it will be interesting for me to play against local chess players and check their level at the board”.

Natalia Kosikhina, representing the Yaroslavl Region as a senator said that chess is a good investment in the nation’s intellectual health: “After Sergey Karjakin’s chess club is opened local players will get a unique chance to become a part of a big friendly chess community and to learn to play on a high level. This is a contribution to the saving of traditions and sports promotion. This project has a bright future in the region!”

The local United Russia secretary Evgeny Churkin said he is happy to help to develop such a serious and intellectual sport as chess: “We certainly do all the best to attract more kids to play chess and our Yaroslavl Region and make our region capable to show good results on the federal level”.

The leader of “Sergey Karjakin’s chess clubs” project Albert Minnullin told the story how 78 clubs all over Russia were opened and told a lot about the system work that had been made: “Sergey Karjakin’s chess club in Yaroslavl will offer chess classes for kids and adults as well as regular tournaments under the auspices of United Russia. The kids will get a chance to pass a selection for chess shifts in children’s centers like “Artek”, “Orlenok” and “Smena”. Adults will compete in the party personal and team championships. The winners will be sent to play in the national finals”.

Sergey Karjakin offered the Yaroslavl Region Governor Mikhail Evraev a chess board with his personal signature while honorable guests wrote their best wishes on the banner of the chess club.

After this Sergey Karjakin performed a simultaneous game on 24 boards. An honorable right to make the first move was given to the regional governor. Maxim Liushin, a local chess team captain and Yaroslavl air defense school ensign managed to make a draw against the world champion. He was awarded a chess board signed by Sergey Karjakin.

“I started to play at seven. I became a candidate master at thirteen, participated in children’s and junior competitions and was the regional champion. After adult life started, I couldn’t play as much as I used to before but chess has always been my major interest in life”, – he said. 

Daria Tsareva and the youngest participants Ivan Maleschenko and Maria Grushina also managed to draw their games.

The opening was finished by a traditional autograph session and a photo with the world champion.