A record number of chess players from different countries gathered at the International Chess Festival in Orsha
For the twelfth year in a row, the International Chess Festival brings together participants from different countries of the world in Orsha. This year, the new sports and entertainment complex "Ice Arena" was chosen as its venue. The number of chess players was record-breaking – about 400 amateurs and professionals from Russia, Belarus, Estonia, Ukraine, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan.
The organizers and sponsors of the large-scale event, which has no equal in the country so far, were the Presidential Sports Club of the Republic of Belarus, the Orsha District Executive Committee, private enterprise "Silatoka", private unitary enterprise "Fabi", Tennis Club (Minsk), private enterprise "Artel-lux", OJSC "Orsha Aircraft Repair Plant" and "Ecomol".
Some came to Orsha to test their strength, skills, and abilities, some to improve their mastery, and some to earn additional rating. For example, Grandmasters Raisa Eydelson from Vitebsk and Mikhail Ivanov from Russia. And the fact that chess is a sport without age limits is confirmed by the participation of both very young athletes and elderly people in the tournaments. Interesting games were shown at the festival by 5-year-old Ilya Ogloblin from Bryansk and 77-year-old Richard Cherlenok from Andreevshchina, Orsha district.
20 masters and candidates for master of sports from the chess federations of Belarus, Russia, and Azerbaijan – this was the composition of the judging panel this year. The tournament system was Swiss.
Anatoly Lebedev, an international and all-Russian category judge, FIDE arbiter, and chief judge of the festival, noted that the level of organization and conduct of the event is high.
– This is not the first time we have come to Orsha and brought chess players from Russia, – says Anatoly Borisovich. – Today, they are representatives from more than 40 cities – consider, half of the tournament participants, which is gaining momentum every year. Chess is not only a sport, but also an opportunity for friendly communication and new experiences. The motto of the International Chess Federation is:
"We are all one family". Wherever you go, you have friends everywhere who will help and support you.The athletes competed in individual and team events for 7 days. On January 26, the results were summed up and the strongest were named. The hosts took 1st place in the team championship – the Orsha residents became the undisputed leaders. Minsk athletes deserved an honorable 2nd place. The guests from Smolensk took the third step of the podium. Cups, medals, diplomas, and valuable gifts from the organizers and sponsors of the festival were also received by the winners and prize-winners in individual events.
Olga Lebedeva, "Vitebskiye Vesti"