Elista became a capital of the Buddhist chess world
The first international Buddhist chess tournament “The Spirit of Dharma” finished on September 22 in Kalmykia
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
For several days Elista was a place where chessmen and different cultures met. The tournament included participants from Russian Buddhist regions – Buryatia, Tuva, Kalmykia alongside with foreign guests from Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, India, Nepal and the Philippines.
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
The participants competed in rapid chess and blitz and the fight continued among professionals, women, amateurs and juniors. The tournament atmosphere combined sports competition and respect of Buddhist traditions.
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
A special attention was drawn to professionals. The rapid tournament was won by GM Sanan Sjugirov from Kalmykia, the silver medal was won by GM Zhamsaran Tsydypov from Buryatia while the youngest IM in the history of chess Roman Shogdzhiev won the bronze medal. As for the blitz tournament the first place was won by Zhamsaran Tsydypov, the second place was won by Daniel Quizon from the Philippines and the bronze medal was won by Sanan Sjugirov. The participation of such titled players was indeed a hallmark of the tournament.
The team fight was tough as well. The first place was won by the team from Buryatia, the second place was won by Kalmykia and the third place was won by Tuva. Each prize winning team could feel proud of such an accomplishment and be happy with such a preparation level.
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
The organizers say that “the Spirit of Dharma” is not simply sport but is also a symbol of cultural and spiritual dialogue.
“The Spirit of Dharma” tournament has become more than just an ordinary sports event for us. We showed that chess can be more than just a simple game but a universal language for different nations to speak in order to unite nations. The tournament has become a symbol of the dialogue where each move is a step towards understanding. We are proud that Kalmykia has become such an international communication venue and we are sure that the tournament will become a new tradition, – said the president of Kalmykia Chess Federation Alexey Eteev. “The Spirit of Dharma is a symbol of the Russian culture diplomacy. We strengthen ties with Buddhist countries not only using official meetings but also using such projects where sport is united by spiritual values. This tournament proved that Kalmykia can become a center of the dialogue between East and West, a place where new bridges of trust are being built”.
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
“Buddhist values of non-violence, wisdom and concentration can be shown through chess. We are sure that such competitions will form up a new generation which values fair play, respect for the opponent and their attitude to harmony”, – said the officials from the organizing committee.
Albert Minullin, “The Spirit of Dharma” general manager and the leading manager of “Chess diplomacy” project and the Moscow Region Chess Federation executive director said: “The Buddhist chess tournament is a good example when sport can become a tool of cultural and spiritual dialogue. We see that Elista managed to unite chess players of different ages, regions and countries and create an atmosphere of fair play and friendship. As for the Moscow Region Chess Federation a chance to become an organizer has become a possibility to make a contribution for the development of international chess cooperation. We are sure that this project will live a long life and become traditional in the worldwide chess calendar”.
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
Sanan Sjugirov (Kalmykia), rapid professional champion: “To win the tournament on my native soil is a special pride for me. “The Spirit of Dharma” has become a real top-level chess event and I am glad that Kalmykia managed to make such a present for the chess world. For us, local players this is also a great motivation to carry on working and aim for the new heights”.
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
Alexander Utnasunov, the official from Kalmykia team: “For us the participation in “The Spirit of Dharma” has become a real chess and culture festival. We felt a great support of the audience and we are proud that Kalmykia didn’t only welcome guests but also showed a high level of play. Such tournaments inspire to carry on working, train and prove that the local chess school is able to compete with the strongest players”.
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
Silwal Purushottam (Nepal), junior blitz winner: “This was my first visit to Russia and I am very grateful to the organizers for such a warm welcome. “The Spirit of Dharma” tournament showed that chess is able to unite people from different and faraway lands. For me such a victory is not just a sports result but also new friends, new impressions and a clear understanding that chess is a way for mutual understanding”.
Kuewatthana Natrada (Thialnd), rapid women’s bronze medal winner: “It was very interesting for me to play against female opponents from Russia. The tournament atmosphere was special – I could feel the spirit of traditions and respect for each and every player. Although we were fighting against each other over the board but after the game was over we became friends. This is a real value of “The Spirit of Dharma”.
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
Daniel Quizon (the Philippines), a professional blitz silver medalist: “To play in Elista was a unique experience. I felt that every game here has a special meaning and I am glad that I have shown a decent result. This tournament is inspiring – it unites people through chess and shows that sport can become a bridge of friendship between countries”.
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
The tournament winners and prize winners
Juniors category
Rapid:
Tamerlan Chyndygyr (Tuva, Russia)
Purushottham Silwal (Nepal)
Jonathan Bodemar (Thailand)
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
Blitz:
Purushottham Silwal (Nepal)
Soyzhina Komissarova (Buryatia, Russia)
Jonathan Bodemar (Thailand)
Amateurs category
Rapid
Taras Minthakhanov (Buryatia, Russia)
Nachyn Chamzy (Tuva, Russia)
Mark Anthony Nava (the Philippines)
Blitz
Nachyn Chamzy (Tuva, Russia)
Bogdan Masterskikh (Kalmykia, Russia)
Taras Minthakhanov (Buryatia, Russia)
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
Women category
Baira Kovanova (Kalmykia, Russia)
Soyzhina Komissarova (Buryatia, Russia)
Natrada Kuewatthana (Thailand)
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
Blitz
Baira Kovanova (Kalmykia, Russia)
Arina Irgit (Tuva, Russia)
Araya Prommuang (Thailand)
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
Professionals
Rapid:
Sanan Sjugirov (Kalmykia, Russia)
Zhamsaran Tsydypov (Buryatia, Russia)
Roman Shogdzhiev (Kalmykia, Russia)
4-th place Daniel Quizon (the Philippines)
5-th place Alexander Utnasunov (Kalmykia, Russia)
6-th place Thanadon Kunphrytthanon (Thailand)
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
Blitz:
Zhamsaran Tsydypov (Buryatia, Russia)
Daniel Quizon (the Philippines)
Sanan Sjugirov (Kalmykia, Russia)
4-th place Tamerlan Chyndygyr (Tuva, Russia)
5-th place Alexander Utnasunov (Kalmykia, Russia)
6-th place Timur Ivanov (Buryatia, Russia)
Photo by the First Buddhist chess tournament press office.
Team competition
Rapid
Buryatia
Tuva
Kalmykia
Blitz
Buryatia
Kalmykia
Tuva
General competition
Buryatia
Kalmykia
Tuva