chessbase india logo

World Cadets Chess Championship 2024 Kicks Off in Montesilvano, Italy

by Niklesh Jain - 16/11/2024

The World Cadets Chess Championship 2024 kicked off in Montesilvano, Italy, with a grand opening ceremony attended by Luigi Maggi, President of the Italian Chess Federation, Ozgur Solakoglu, FIDE Delegate, and Mayor Ottavio De Martinis. Ambassadors from three nations made the ceremonial first moves to mark the start of the event. Round 1 delivered exciting games and upsets. In Girls Under 8, 44th seed Balakanova Azaliya defeated 4th seed Eliza-Ioana, while Narayani Umesh Marathe held 7th seed Tamilselvan Tara to a draw. In Open Under 12, 74th seed Aadik Theophane Lenin drew with 2nd seed FM Smirnov Mark, and 75th seed Xia Jinnan held 3rd seed Ritzerveld Noah. With 716 players from 80 countries competing in the same hall, and all games broadcast live on DGT boards, the championship promises thrilling chess in the rounds to come. Report & Photos: Niklesh Jain

World Cadets Chess Championship 2024 Begins in Montesilvano, Italy  

The prestigious World Cadets Chess Championship 2024 officially began in Montesilvano, Italy, at the Congress Center Pala Dean Martin, Via Aldo Moro. This spacious venue comfortably accommodates all 716 players in a single hall, providing an ideal setting for this global chess event.  


The venue is surrounded by all the official hotels, ensuring that players are never more than a five-minute walk from the playing hall.

This convenient arrangement benefits not only the participants but also the accompanying persons, creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone.  


For the first time in the history of the championship, all boards are live, with games broadcasted via DGT Chess Boards. Additionally, the organizers have arranged a live video telecast of the tournament on the official YouTube channel, allowing viewers worldwide to witness the action in real time.  


To enhance the experience, the organizers have set up a dedicated parents' zone, along with spaces for game analysis and chess-related items such as books and accessories,

making the event more engaging for players and their families.  


The event is supported by a team of 31 arbiters and 3 fair play arbiters, working tirelessly to ensure a smooth and fair competition.  

Before the opening ceremony, a technical meeting was held, attended by delegations from over 80 countries.

The chief arbiter and officials outlined the rules and regulations, setting the stage for a well-organized tournament.  


The opening ceremony featured notable dignitaries, including Luigi Maggi, President of the Italian Chess Federation;

Özgür Solakoğlu, FIDE Delegate; Ottavio De Martinis, Mayor of Montesilvano;

and GM Roberto Mogranzini, General Director of the tournament.

In a symbolic gesture, ambassadors from

three countries made the ceremonial first moves,

emphasizing the global unity of chess.  As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on these young prodigies shaping the future of chess. Stay tuned for updates and thrilling matches from this grand event!  

Round 1 of World Cadets Chess Championship 2024: Exciting Matches and Surprising Results

Round 1 of the World Cadets Chess Championship 2024 has concluded, bringing a mix of exciting games and surprising results across all categories.  


In the Girls Under 8 category, Board 4 saw a significant upset as 44th seed Balakanova Azaliya of Kazakhstan defeated 4th seed Eliza-Ioana of Romania. Meanwhile, 47th seed Narayani Umesh Marathe of India managed to hold 7th seed Tamilselvan Tara of England to a draw, starting her campaign strongly.  


The Open Under 8 section also had its share of surprises. On Board 2, 62nd seed Jia Zining (Matthew) of Australia, rated 1550, held 2nd seed Hu Junyan of England to a draw. Indian player Mani Sarbatho, seeded 7th, began his tournament confidently with a win against Zhanabayev Arystan of Kazakhstan.  


In the Girls Under 10 section, the top three boards went as expected, with the seeded players securing victories. However, on Board 4, 53rd seed Mukhorina Mariya Dm of FIDE held 4th seed Tselmuun Ider of Mongolia to a draw. Similarly, on Board 5, 54th seed Macchia-Shahar Yali of Israel held 5th seed Bjerregaard Hagen Frida of Denmark to a draw.

( File Photo )

Indian player Samhita Pungavanam, seeded 9th, began her journey with a win against Minasyan Arina of Armenia.  


The Open Under 10 section saw smooth sailing for the top seeds, with all five of them securing victories. Indian player Advik Amit Agrawal, seeded 18th, began his campaign with a win against Della Penna Leonardo, a local player from Italy.  


In the Girls Under 12 category, the top board featured an unexpected result as top seed Qiu Laurie of the USA was held to a draw by her compatriot, 46th seed Chovanec Alice. WCM Ejsymont Blanka of Poland, who won against Abylaykyzy Bibisara of Kazakhstan, will now take Board 1 in Round 2. Indian players performed well in this section.

Third seed Pratitee Bordoloi defeated Messali Anger Ilyana of France, Hanya Shah drew with Chichinadze Anastasia of Canada on Board 4, and 5th seed Sri Darshini T secured a win against Siskou Evangelia of Greece.  


The Open Under 12 category, the strongest in this championship, delivered some exciting matches. Top seed FM Golis Wiktor of Poland, rated 2343, started with a victory against Ivrlac Vladislav of Moldova.

On Board 2, 74th seed Aadik Theophane Lenin of India, rated 1857, held 2nd seed FM Smirnov Mark of Kazakhstan, rated 2300, to a draw. Another surprise occurred on Board 3, where 75th seed Xia Jinnan held 3rd seed Ritzerveld Noah of the Netherlands to a draw.

( File Photo )

Indian player Aansh Nandan Nerurkar, seeded 7th and rated 2247, began with a solid victory, setting the stage for a promising tournament.  


The first round has set a competitive tone for the championship, with young players showcasing their talent and resilience. The coming rounds are sure to bring even more thrilling games and surprises as the competition progresses. Stay tuned for updates.

Video :

World Cadets Chess Championship 2024 Official Page 

 


Contact Us