On 2 December, the World Chess Championship among schoolchildren started in Sochi. The championship will be held in six age categories – among boys and girls from 7 to 17 years. This tournament is held in Russia for the first time and will attract more than 400 young players from 30 countries."All the champions and world champions reveal themselves at such tournaments as ‘The White Rook’ and school championships. That is why parents and coaches advise their children to take part in these: schoolchildren get acquainted with their future rivals. Sergei Karjakin and Magnus Carlsen participated in all children's championships, which inculcates the spirit of sportsmanship for the future champions,"- said Kirsan Ilyumzhinov on the eve of the ceremony.
Recall that Russia won the right to host the children’s championship on the FIDE Presidential Board in March by defeating other candidacies, such as Turkey, China, Italy and other countries. The Russian team is traditionally one of the most imposing. Last year, the schoolboy from Gelendzhik Ilya Makoveev was the winner of under 9 year old age group of the tournament in Pattaya (Thailand).
The championship is held according to the Swiss system of nine rounds, the latter of which will be held on 11 December. The organizers are the FIDE, RCF and the International School Chess Union. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent official greetings to the participants of the championship.
