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Future stars on the boards: Ukrainian U16 Championship starts in Ternopil U16-B B-Classic B-Rapid B-Blitz U16-G G-Classic G-Rapid G-Blitz On January 28, 2026, one of the most important events in the children's and youth chess calendar begins in Ternopil - the Ukrainian Chess Championship among boys under 16 (classical chess). The tournament has gathered a strong line-up of participants from all over the country, who will fight for the title of the best in their age category. Who is leading the start list? 53 chess players are participating in the competition. The list is headed by players with high national and international ratings: Yan Demin (Kyiv, MF) — rating 2397. The main contender for gold. Yaroslav Shevchenko (Khmelnytskyi, MS) — rating 2354. Experienced player, graduate of Youth Sports School No. 3. Maxim Pankiv (Ivano-Frankivsk, MF) — rating 2341. Oleksiy Karvatskyi (Lviv, MF) — rating 2330. Matviy Sobol (Lviv, KMS) — rating 2325. ...

64 Squares of Freedom: Chess Beyond the Walls The gray sky above the city is thick with smoke, and the sounds of distant explosions have become a background that you get used to, like the sound of rain. But here, in the basement, where the concrete walls press against your shoulders and the only source of light is a flickering candle, time stands still. On an old wooden chest lies a sheet of paper, lined with pencil into squares. Instead of figures, there are buttons, stones, and bullet casings. 1. Territory of freedom When chaos reigns around, and your life depends on the random flight of metal, chess becomes a fortress. In a world where you can't control anything — neither light, nor heat, nor tomorrow — the chessboard remains the only place where iron logic reigns. Here, your every move matters. Here, justice is absolute: if you made a mistake, you lost, if you were more accurate, you won. This feeling of control over your own destiny is the very light that keeps hu...

Maria Muzychuk: The One Who Tames Chaos In the small town of Stryi, where mornings often smell of the damp Carpathian forest, a story began that changed the world chess hierarchy. This is not a story about dry ratings numbers, but about a girl who learned to smile where others lose consciousness from tension. Maria Muzychuk is the younger sister in the "golden" tandem, who proved: to conquer the world, you don't have to shout. It's enough to just quietly make a move. Stryi forge and "chess ware" Imagine an ordinary apartment in Stryi. It's evening, dinner is being prepared in the kitchen, and two girls, Anna and Maria, are sitting at the table. There is a board between them, and the air is literally sparkling. Their parents-coaches have immersed them in this world since childhood, but without coercion - it was a game, a part of everyday life. Maria remembers those times with a smile. Do you know how they decided who would wash the dishes tod...

When Politics Steals Olympus: Irreparable Losses of Sports Destinies Sport always declares itself as a territory of fair competition and equality. However, history mercilessly testifies: when external, non-sporting factors interfere in competitions, it is the talent and fate of the athlete who becomes their first victim. Our goal is not to discuss the appropriateness of such decisions, but to highlight the tragedy of the athlete and his unfair fate, which became a hostage to circumstances over which he had no influence. No flags fly above these lines and no political slogans are heard. This is a story written in sweat, blood and tears. Sport is about dedication and the search for perfection. However, modern Olympus places a much broader list of demands on athletes than just physical perfection. Having reached the heights, an athlete must be prepared f...

The Era of Silicon Grandmasters: The Hybrid Evolution of Chess and Checkers The chess world of 2026 is not just an intellectual game, it is a high-tech discipline at the intersection of programming, big data, and professional sports. Today, victory at the board is forged not only by the power of thought, but also by the power of servers and the physical endurance of the body. Technological Arsenal: Tools of the Modern Craftsman Modern training is about working with "silicon gods." Here are the main tools that professionals use: Classic engines (Stockfish 16.1/17): Work on the principle of "brute force". They are ideal for finding tactical miscalculations. They are the "judge" who gives an instant verdict to any mistake. Neural networks (AlphaZero, Leela Chess Zero): The revolution of "deep learning". Unlike conventional programs, they have "positional sense". They taught people that it is possible to sacrifice mater...

Monaco will once again become the center of European chess: Women's European Championship 2025 From 8 to 12 January 2026, the Principality of Monaco will host one of the most anticipated events in the world of chess, the European Women's Rapid and Blitz Championship 2025 . The tournament will be held under the patronage of the European Chess Union (ECU) and with the support of the Monaco Chess Federation. Blitz Rapid Venue: Luxury Monte Carlo The tournament will be hosted by the prestigious Novotel Monte-Carlo hotel. This venue has already become a traditional venue for elite women's competitions. The organizers promise not only impeccable playing conditions, but also a record prize fund, which this year reached €52,500 . Championship Schedule The competition is divided into two dynamic disciplines: Blitz (January 8–9): 13 rounds Swiss system. Time control: 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move. Rapid (January 10–11): 11 rounds Swiss system. Time control...

Not Sober Geniuses: Chess, Checkers, and the Dark Side of Brilliant Minds In the world of intellectual games, where logic, cold calculation and discipline reign supreme, there is a dark side - the chronic relationship of many great masters with alcohol. These are stories of geniuses who challenged not only their rivals, but also their own passions, turning a glass into a piece of a chess or checkerboard. The Great Chess Elite: Passions of Champions The stories of great world champions are often filled not only with triumphs but also with personal drama. For some, alcohol became a stress reliever, for others, a destructive habit. Alexander Alekhine: Complex character and French chic The fourth world champion, Russian aristocrat Alexander Alekhine , was considered one of the greatest chess masterminds in history. His life in exile, filled with chess tourna...