Youth chess championships are returning to over-the-board play after the pandemic hiatus. Rapid and Blitz Championships in Rhodes at the end of April became the first mass event for young players, followed by World School Individual Championships in Panama. On September 5, the Romanian beach resort of Mamaia took over the baton.
Altogether, 620 players from 72 federations participate in six tournaments: Open and Girls under 14, 16, and 18. Naturally, the host Romania is represented by the highest number of players, 84. Among other large delegations are Poland (24 players), Kazakhstan (21), Spain (20), and Ukraine (19).
The event will stretch for 11 rounds and finish on September 16.
The first three rounds have shown that the top-seeded players would not have an easy task securing the titles.
“The beauty of chess is it can be whatever you want it to be. It transcends language, age, race, religion, politics, gender, and socioeconomic background. Whatever your circumstances, anyone can enjoy a good fight to the death over the chess board.” – Simon Williams
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