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It is that time of year when hundreds of youths from all around Russia converge to compete against each other for the honor of the 2013 Russian Youth Champion title. Once again the event is staged at AquaLoo, a spacious venue that is both child and adult-friendly, allowing even parents to not roll their eyes in boredom as they wait for the games to finish.
The event has changed somwhat as the age groups are no longer even numbers, such as under-8, under-10 etc. This year the categories are U11, U13, U15, U17, U19, and a round-robin U21 championship for both boys and girls. The event is held from April 15-24, and is played at 90 minutes for the entire game plus a 30-second increment per move. A 15-minute allowance is given for late arrivals to avoid the appalling losses that took place in the 2012 European Championship.
Aside from the title of champion, the winners will earn the right to represent Russia in the next World Youth Championships, while the runners-up will earn the right to represent their country in the forthcoming European Youth Championships.
Here is a pictorial with pictures by Vladimir Barsky and Eteri Kublashvili.
The venue has everything necessary for the children to play well,
and the parents not be bored while waiting.
The grand opening of the 2013 Russian Youth Championship
Reigning world champions Anna Styazhkina (St. Petersburg) and Yuri Eliseev (Moscow)
were given the honor of raising the flag.
The parents give their children last minute instructions and words of encouragement
Time to fill out the scoresheets
Today will be a good hair day
Be thankful the name is not spelled according to the norms of E.E.Cummings
Patiently and impatiently awaiting the start of the round
Finally the actions starts!
So young and already practiced in the classic chess poses, from the avid
hair-gripping to the stare-down of death. Tal would be proud.
Everyone has their own special thinking pose
It is inspiring to see so many children concentrating so hard
See? I wrote down all my moves
Cinnamon and spice...
...and everything nice.
If only chess were an outdoor sport, then it would truly be heaven
14-year-old Alexander Goryachkina (Salekhard) plays in the Under-19 Championship.
It is worth adding she is the reigning World Under-18 champion.
15-year-old Vladislav Artemiev, rated 2499 Elo
The brain grows and the head becomes too heavy to hold up by itself
Correspondent and photographer Vladimir Barsky
Pictures by Vladimir Barsky and Eteri Kublashvili
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.
