2012 Ukrainian Championship
One need only look at the past Olympiads to appreciate what a powerhouse Ukraine is in chess. It goes without saying their national championship is also fought hard, and by players of the highest caliber. In this championship, despite the absence of their top player, Vassily Ivanchuk, all the top guns were there, including Ruslan Ponomariov (2726), Alexander Moiseenko (2711), Andrei Volokitin (2704), Pavel Eljanov (2693), and more.
The players are in the foreground, while the spectators watch the action on the displays
While much has been made of the level of organization of events in Russia, the Ukrainian organizers could not be faulted, including the energetic efforts of the federation's marketing director, Olena Boytsun, who not only secured ample television coverage, but also had a Facebook page for the event where galleries of photographs were posted everyday, all labeled in detail. Kudos.
Olena Boytsun sitting at the board to make sure the air-conditioning was satisfactory
Ruslan Ponomariov gives an interview to national television
The pre-tournament favorite was clearly Ruslan Ponomariov, but somehow his horse never quite left the gate, leaving the way open for others. Anton Korobov, an immensely talented player with a curriculum of wins, was the man of the event and stormed away with it, securing first place in the penultimate round. He ended on 8.0/11 a full point ahead of his nearest rivals, Alexander Areschenko, who came in second with 7.0/11, and Andrei Volokitin, in third with the same score but worse tiebreak.
The trophies, certificates, and the event brochures
The main arbiter Oleg Tovchyga also became a grandfather during
the Championship.
Andrei Volokitin during the closing ceremony with his girlfriend
The top three prize winners, Andre Volokitin (third), Alexander Areschenko (second),
and Anton Korobov (first).
The tournament director Yury Gnyp
Andrei Volokitin together with Ruslan Ponomariov
The 81st Ukrainian Chess Championship 2012 — Zahar Efimenko, Andrei Volokitin,
Alexander Areshchenko, Pavel Eljanov, Evgenij Miroshnichenko, Alexander Zubov,
Yuriy Kuzubov, Ruslan Ponomariov, Sergey Fedorchuk, Anton Korobov, Yuri Vovk
and Aleksandr Moiseenko.
Anton Korobov the proud winner of the 2012 Ukraine championships
Final standings
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