World Youth Chess Championship 2013

17-29 December 2013

Al Ain, UAE

World Youth Chess Championship's history goes back to 1974. France was the first country to host the young participants of the World Cadets, U-17 tournament. Later on the championship has experienced many changes in the name and regulations. These days, World Youth Championship is far and away one of the most important tournaments in the career of any chess player. Many top chess players of nowadays have received their first medals and continued the professional chess life. Sanan Syugirov (RUS), Yu Yangyi (CHN), World Blitz Champion 2013 Mamedyarov Shakhriyar (AZE), European Women's Champion 2012 and 2012 Olympic Champion Valentina Gunina (RUS). World Women's Champion Hou Yifan, World Rapid Champion 2013 Le Quang Liem and many other professionals have won different categories in the championships of different years.

World Youth Chess Championship 2013 is taking place from 17 to 29 December in Al Ain, UAE. More than 1800 participants from 120 national chess federations came to the beautiful city of Al Ain, the green oasis in the eastern region of the United Arab Emirates. The amazing oriental coloring infrastructure, together with the fantastic weather would undoubtedly leave good memories to all participants and guests of the championship

The tournament is organized under FIDE aegis by the Al Ain Chess Club. Al Ain Chess Club have been known for the organization of local tournaments as well as international chess competitions worldwide for a long time.

The playing venue was chosen in the Central Educational Institution of the UAE - UAE University. More than 11 000 female and 4000 male students study different subjects here. The huge territory of the University Campus with excellent conditions for study and rest would become a home for young chess players for the coming two weeks. Cozy rooms, comfortable launches, recreation areas and sport arenas - all is provided for the participants of the Championship. Numerous buildings for classes, campuses for leaving, administration buildings and sport fields seem to be close to each other thanks to the well-organized local bus transportation.

The cafeteria of the University offers a wide variety of oriental and European food. The big hall of the restaurant can accept all the participants and guests at the same time.

The playing arena consists of big halls for the main Open and Girls competitions, with a separate Hall for the Open tournament which takes place concurrent with the Championship. Many International Grandmasters came to Al Ain to participate in the Open tournament. The light big playing hall is decorated with the logos and banners of the Championship, nice noiseless carpet makes the play comfortable.

Opening Ceremony

The World Youth Chess Championship Opening Ceremony took place on 17 December in the heart of the UAE University - the Crescent Hall. It has been started with a nice march performed by the local drummers and trumpeters.

The Opening Ceremony officially started with the National Anthem of the United Arab Emirates followed the FIDE Anthem. The World Youth Chess Championship Organizing Committee Chairman His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahayan opened the ceremony with his welcoming speech. He greeted all guests, young participants and their parents in his homeland. He expressed his hope that every participant would have warm recollections of staying in his city. Mr. Al Nahayan informed the audience that the large number of participants have been recorded to participate in the 2013 Championship.  He also thanked his family, leadership of the UAE, sponsors and partners who helped them to make the championship true: "One hand cannot clap". "Chess is a global sport. It is a message for the World of unity and friendship" At the end of his speech, he wished all players of a world class competition victories and success.

The FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was invited to a stage. On behalf of the World Chess Federation, he congratulated everyone with the opening of one of the most important competition in the FIDE calendar. He underlined that this year championship has broken a record in number of participants and federations. He also mentioned that the new chess talents would certainly appear in the chess Olympus, where they will show an intelligence through chess art. Mr. Ilyumzhinov thanked Al Ain Chess Club and Asian Chess Federation in the name of the Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahayan for the nice conditions provided to every participant. Mr. President has also thanked the leadership of the UAE, sponsors, journalists, volunteers and everyone who helped in the organization of the championship. Kirsan Ilyumzhiov wished all participants enjoyable stay. He also expressed his hope that young players would present interesting battles and will contribute to make this championship unforgettable. The FIDE President declared the Championship open.

A simultaneous presentation game Evgeny Miroshnichenko (UKR) vs. Salem R Saleh, several times UAE National Champion was played on the stage on four boards. It was an exciting show that was surely liked by the young participants as well as guests. Friendship won this time.

The ceremony was followed by the national Arabic dances in colorful costumes. Nice music and emotional dances introduced national culture and spirit to the guests of Al Ain. The beautiful birds of falcons, the amazing baby camels added the national color to the atmosphere. The Ceremony was ended with the fireworks.