By Tanya Kostiuk
Independence Square by night portraying the city's founders
Billboards around town
From August 14-21 the “Kiev Cup - Independence of Ukraine Cup” was held in Kiev, Ukraine dedicated to the 20th Anniversary of Ukraine’s independence of Ukraine celebrated on August 24 since 1991.
Avangard Chess Club is the traditional location of the
Independance Cup
In the tournament’s 19-year history the winners have been GMs such as Vladimir Baklan, GM Vadim Malakhatko (Belgium), Muhamed Boric (BIH), GM Andrey Zontakh, GM Spartak Vusochin, GM Vladimir Sergeev, GM Vladislav Borovikov, GM Gennady Matjushin, GM Alexey Kislinskiy, GM Yuri Kruppa, GM Vadim Shishkin, GM Aleksandr Kovchan, and WGM Olga Dolzhikova. It has also attracted players from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Poland, Jordan, France, Denmark, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
IM Vitaly Pesotskyi
WFM
Iulija Osmak, Girl's U12 World Champion in 2010
This year, for the 20th Anniversary the Main Open A enjoyed the participation of 74 players, with 3 GMs and 16 masters from three neighboring countries Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.
A view of the playing hall
GM Ajrapetjan vs Alexey I Kosikov, honorary trainer of
Ukraine
Anastasiya Antoshkiv poses in front of the information board
15-year-old GM Illya Nyzhnyk (2589 Elo) came in second
Crimean GM Yury Ajrapetjan came in sole first with 7.5/9
The rating favorite was 15-year-old GM Illya Nyzhnyk (2589 Elo) from Vinnitsa, the youngest GM in the world who finished second with 7.0/9. The winner of the tournament was the Crimean GM Yury Ajrapetjan with 7.5/9 a half point ahead, while Kiev FM Valeriy Grinev came in third.
Chief arbiter Yuri Gnup
Ajrapetjan receives congratulations and his first prize from Pavel Kufturev the
president of the Kiev Chess Federation.
Speech by Olena Boytsun, marketing director of the Ukrainian Chess Federation
The prizes were 1st 7000 UAH (about 600 EUR), 2nd 5000 UAH (about 400 EUR) and 3rd 2500 UAH (about 200 EUR) with prizes to 10th place as well as prizes per category and numerous surprises from sponsors at the closing ceremony.
Kiev panoramic view from St.Sophia's bell tower
A statue of a cossack with his horse near Independence Square
The parliament building
The presidential palace
The National Bank of Ukraine
A view of Kiev near the club
St. Michael's Cathedral
Your reporter Tanya Kostiuk poses in front of the Main Stadium for the 2012 EuroCup
LinksThe 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 11 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs. |
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