The international intellectual games tournament brought together erudites from Belarus, Russia, and Latvia in Novopolotsk

 

The main prize was won by the Russian team "Dzhazets v tayge" (Jazz in the Taiga), which included Anatoly Wasserman. It scored the highest number of points in all three classifications, and therefore, the victory was unequivocally awarded to the team of the famous intellectual.

Our compatriots, guests from Russia and Latvia – a total of 17 teams – competed for the right to be called the most erudite in the tournament. Polotsk State University was chosen as the venue. The largest number of teams were, of course, from Belarus. Intellectual teams were represented by PSU, "Polimir", JSC "Vitebskiye Kovry", "Belarusbank", "Belaruskali", and Belarusian State Agricultural Academy.

 

 

 

 

 

As the chairman of the organizing committee, Alexey Galkin, said, the tournament was a sports version of "What? Where? When?". This format, unlike the games of the elite club, allows a large number of questions to be answered simultaneously and an almost unlimited number of teams to participate. By the way, in major world tournaments of "What? Where? When?", up to 90 teams can play at the same time. And since in the sports version the questions are the same for everyone, all participants are on equal terms, and therefore, victory in the battle of wits is considered more objective.

The tournament leader received a quota for participation in the qualifying round of the "What? Where? When?" World Championship "Slavyanka-2020", which is planned to be held in Polotsk at the end of January. The Minsk team "Legionaries of Bolivariya", recognized by the tournament's judging team, can also use this right.

Alexey Galkin emphasized that the main goal of holding such competitions is the development of intellectual games in an international format. Teams strive to keep up with stronger opponents and set high goals for themselves.

"Vitebskiye Vesti". Photo by Polina Zabello.