World University concludes in style

The World University Championships (WUC) are part of the sporting events of the International University Sports Federation. Alternating with the Summer and Winter Universiades, they are organised every even-numbered year. The first FISU World University Championship was organised in the city of Lund (SWE) in 1963 and welcomed the best student handball players of the time. 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of the World University Championships, which will be celebrated throughout the year.

The 2014 World University Championships set a FISU record equaling 29 events in a single year, this time in 24 countries and over five continents.

Chess was introduced into the World University Championship disciplines in 1990 at Odessa, and in 1994, the competition was recognized and included into the FIDE calendar. The level of organization is of the highest order, and includes live video commentary by GM Marcin Tazbir and WIM Anna Iwanow, as well as ample video and photo galleries.

Rounds six to nine

The final rounds of the competition saw collapses, recoveries, and power displays among the leaders. In the men's section, after five rounds, tenth seed Yu Ruiyuan (2534) had gone off to a great start with an impressive 4.0/5, however the Chinese player was unable to maintain the pace, scoring three draws and a loss in the second half, and finished tenth. Top seed Russian Sanan Sjugirov (2658) had an average start, but ended with two wins at the end, snatching first on tiebreak with 6.5/19, just beating Karen Grigoryan from Armenia, and his Russian compatriot Ivan Bukavshin also with 6.5/9.

GM Michal Olszewski, eighth in the final rankings, explains his extremely economical approach
to the competition. Why calculate when there are so many moves to calculate?

GM Sanan Sjugirov came through in the end with a strong finish, and took gold on tiebreak

The women's tournament was a breathtaking one-woman show, as local hero WIM Klaudia Kulon from Poland, rated 2301, finished her flawless 5.0/5 start with a monstrous 8.5/9, a full 2.5 points ahead of her nearest rivals, still winning her final game against WGM Zhang Xioawen (2375), after beating all the top seeds. Her performance was 2699 and superior to any of the winner's in the men's event no less. It also garnered her a hefty 69 Elo in the process.

WIM Klaudia Kulon was unstoppable, conceding only one single draw as she defeated
all the top seeds

In the overall results, comprised of the best individual results of each competitor, Poland
took first with 20.5 points (aided enormously by Kulon's fantastic result), Russia was second
with 18.5, and Armenia was third with 18

Katowice Kids Challenge

Among the many activities organized was the Katowice Kids Challenge

Boys and girls played together...

... as well as against adults.

When the challenge is not only on the board, but reaching it

It was a great success, and the children visibly enjoyed themselves immensely

With such a warm reception, what's not to love?

Men's standings after nine rounds

Click for complete standings

Women's standings after nine rounds

Click for complete standings

Links Official tournament site All men's games in PGN All women's games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.