«Chess Diplomacy» launched in Minsk

The Russian Embassy in Belarus hosted a tournament dedicated to the National Unity Day and timed to coincide with the opening of Sergey Karjakin’s Chess Clubs in Russian Houses in Minsk and Grodno

The tournament was organized by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in cooperation with the Sergey Karjakin’s Chess Clubs, the Belarusian Chess Federation and the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in Belarus.

The event was attended by Senator of the Russian Federation, multiple world champion, President of the Moscow Region Chess Federation Sergey Karjakin, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the

“United Russia” Party, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus Boris Gryzlov, head of the Russian House in Minsk Yuri Makushin, senior coach of the national team of the Republic of Belarus Yuri Borsuk and head of projects “Sergey Karjakin’s Chess Clubs” and “Chess Diplomacy” Albert Minnullin.

“Chess clubs at Russian Houses in Minsk and Grodno are aimed at children, but will be open to all comers. Classes and tournaments will be held regularly in the Russian House. We plan to integrate these venues into our international network of clubs and hold joint competitions, the winners of which will be rewarded with prizes. We send the best young athletes to chess shifts in children’s camps — Artek, Orlyonok, Smena.

We have a very good project to open chess clubs together with Rossotrudnichestvo. Belarus has very strong chess players and a lot of promising young people, as I have seen for myself. I will be happy to participate in the work of clubs, conduct online master classes and simultaneous game sessions, and come personally if possible”, Sergey Karjakin shared his future plans.

“The Chess Diplomacy tournament is dedicated to the National Unity Day — a holiday that symbolizes the spiritual strength of our people, who are able to emerge victorious from any challenges. This day is closely connected with the desire of people to unite for a common cause.

Today, in this spacious hall of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, we are opening a tournament that brought together gifted children from different regions of Belarus and Russia at the chessboard, and will become a space for the realization of talents and friendly communication.

The international project “Chess Diplomacy in Russian Houses”, organized by Sergey Karjakin’s Chess Clubs and the Moscow Region Chess Federation, is a breakthrough initiative to increase interest in Russia and chess around the world. Within the framework of this project, chess clubs have already opened in 15 countries of Eurasia, Africa and America. I am sure that thanks to the project “Chess Diplomacy in Russian Houses” chess will fall in love with many young people who will discover their talent for this fascinating game and will develop it”, said Boris Gryzlov.

During the tournament, six sets of medals were awarded among girls and boys in the age groups up to 8, 10 and 12 years. The highlight of the event was Sergey Karjakin’s exhibition matches against leading Belarusian chess players.

Tournament results:

Boys under 8 years old
1st place — Alexander Bronevsky
2nd place – Savely Kuklis
3rd place – Vladislav Linsky

Girls under 8 years old
1st place – Ksenia Burchik
2nd place – Veronika Kondratova

Boys under 10 years old
1st place – Andrey Podkopaev
2nd place – Danila Milyanenko
3rd place – Alexey Kozlov

Girls under 10 years old
1st place — Alisa Senko
2nd place – Olga Zhuro
3rd place – Arina Berezhnaya

Boys under 12 years of age
1st place – Damir Bulgak
2nd place – Ivan Voishnis
3rd place – Nikita Burba

Girls under 12 years old
1st place – Victoria Blokhina
2nd place – Valentina Mulyarchik

TECHNIKAL RESULTS