World Youth Chess Championship 2013

17-29 December 2013, Al Ain, UAE

The World Youth Chess Championship's history goes back to 1974. France was the first country to host the young participants of the World Cadets, U17 tournament. Later on the championship experienced many changes in the name and regulations. These days, the World Youth Championship is far and away one of the most important tournaments in the career of any chess player. Many top players received their first medals at the start of their professional chess lives. Sanan Syugirov (RUS), Yu Yangyi (CHN), World Blitz Champion 2013 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE), European Women’s Champion 2012 and 2012 Olympic Champion Valentina Gunina (RUS), World Women’s Champion Hou Yifan, World Rapid Champion 2013 Le Quang Liem and many other professionals have won different categories in the championships of different years.

Al Ain is known for its beautiful gardens and parks

The World Youth Chess Championship 2013 is taking place from 17 to 29 December in Al Ain, UAE. More than 1800 participants from 120 national chess federations have come to the beautiful city of Al Ain, the green oasis in the eastern region of the United Arab Emirates. The amazing oriental coloring infrastructure, together with the fantastic weather would undoubtedly leave good memories to all participants and guests of the championship.

The tournament is organized under FIDE aegis by the Al Ain Chess Club, which has been known for the organization of local tournaments as well as international chess competitions worldwide for a long time.

The playing venue was chosen in the Central Educational Institution – the UAE University. More than 11,000 female and 4,000 male students study different subjects here. The huge territory of the University Campus with excellent conditions for study and rest has become home for young chess players for the coming two weeks. Cozy rooms, comfortable launches, recreation areas and sport arenas – all is provided for the participants of the Championship. Numerous buildings for classes, campuses for leaving, administration buildings and sport fields seem to be close to each other thanks to the well-organized local bus transportation.

The cafeteria of the University offers a wide variety of oriental and European food. The big hall of the restaurant can accept all the participants and guests at the same time.

The playing arena consists of big halls for the main Open and Girls competitions, with a separate hall for the Open tournament which takes place concurrent with the Championship. Many International Grandmasters have come to Al Ain to participate in the Open tournament. The light big playing hall is decorated with the logos and banners of the Championship, nice noiseless carpet makes the play comfortable.

Opening Ceremony

The World Youth Chess Championship Opening Ceremony took place on 17 December in the heart of the UAE University – the Crescent Hall. It started with a nice march performed by the local drummers and trumpeters, and the National Anthem of the United Arab Emirates followed the FIDE Anthem.

The World Youth Chess Championship Organizing Committee Chairman His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahayan opened the ceremony with his welcoming speech. He greeted all guests, young players and their parents in his homeland. He expressed his hope that every participant would have warm recollections of staying in his city. Mr. Al Nahayan informed the audience that the large number of participants have been recorded to participate in the 2013 Championship. He also thanked his family, leadership of the UAE, sponsors and partners who helped them to make the championship true: “Chess is a global sport. It is a message for the World of unity and friendship” At the end of his speech, he wished all players of a world class competition victories and success.

After that FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was invited to a stage. On behalf of the World Chess Federation, he congratulated everyone with the opening of one of the most important competition in the FIDE calendar. He underlined that this year championship has broken a record in number of participants and federations. He also mentioned that the new chess talents would certainly appear in the chess Olympus, where they will show an intelligence through chess art. The FIDE President declared the Championship open.

A simultaneous presentation game Evgeny Miroshnichenko (UKR) vs. Salem R Saleh, several times UAE National Champion was played on the stage on four boards. It was an exciting show that was surely liked by the young participants as well as guests. Friendship won this time.

The ceremony was followed by the national Arabic dances in colorful costumes. Nice music and emotional dances introduced national culture and spirit to the guests of Al Ain.

Beautiful falcons and amazing baby camels added the national color to the atmosphere. The ceremony ended with the fireworks.

Video presentations on the official web site

Information and pictures provided by Kema Goryaeva and Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN The games will be 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.