FIDE World Youth U14, U16, U18 Championships commence in Khanty-Mansiysk
Games of first round of World Youth chess championships took place yesterday. The first move of the championship, the classic 1.e2-e4, was played by Natalia Komarova, the Governor of Ugra.
As chessfed.am reports, there are 9 representatives of Armenia in the tournament.
In U14 girls championship Armenia is represented by Kristine Smbatyan. In the first round her rival was Marija Sibajeva. Although Sibajeva had 400 more ELO points then Smbatyan, our player managed to end the game in a draw.
In U14 boys category, Armenia has two participants: Shant Sargsyan, who is the second seeded player of the tournament, and Arthur Davtyan. In this category, unfortunately the heavy favorite Sargsyan lost in the first round to a much lower rated opponent, but Arthur Davtyan won his game.
In U16 girls category, Arpine Grigoryan celebrated victory over Julia Sevilla. Many surprising results were registered in this category: none of top 3 seeded players won their games, and second seed Svetlana Tishova even lost the game.
In U-16 boys category, Armenia is represented by IM Haik Martirosyan and FM David Mirzoyan. In round 1 both our players won their games. In round 2 they will play against each other.
In U-18 girls category, Siranush Ghukasyan celebrated victory over Jana Liscinska from Slovakia.
In U-18 category Armenia has two representatives: U18 European youth chess champion Manuel Petrosyan and U18 chess champion of Armenia, 16 years old Aram Hakobyan. In the first round both players easily outplayed their opponents.