Day one by Sherman Graif Elizabeth

Round 1 - commentary

Day 1 (by Elizabeth Sherman Graif)

There are about 1500 children competing in this year’s World Youth Chess Tournament, from close to 100 countries, in six age categories (Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18), with separate sections for boys and girls. This year, Team Canada has 21 players, ranging in age from 7 to 18 years old. For some, it is their first experience at an international tournament of this scope; others are veterans of the circuit. With the first game of the World Youth 2009 under their belts, Team Canada is settling into the rhythm of competition.

Team Captain Andrei Botez, father of three-time Canadian team member Alexandra Botez, is enthusiastic about the team’s potential. “They are a great bunch of kids, and I hope they all play hard and have fun.”

The players have been working hard, preparing for their games and analyzing their results. Many are working with coach Artiom Samsonkin, one of the top-ranked players in Canada. It is his first year with the team, and his dedication and positive outlook are infectious. After breakfast each morning, there is a knot of Canadian players encircling Artiom on the comfortable red leather sofas of the Hotel Limra’s lobby, intently listening to each player working with Artiom on their ideas and potential strategies for the upcoming game.

For ten-year-old William Graif, it is his second experience representing Canada at the World Youth. “It is great to see kids I remember from last year,” he says. “And it is really cool to meet other chess players from all over the world.” An added bonus for William – drinking the delicious fresh pomegranate juice that is traditionally served in Turkey, and learning and trying out new words in Turkish. His favourite new word is “satranç” (pronounced “suh-TRUNCH”), which is Turkish for “chess.”

Even with just one game under their belts, some kids have already had an experience that they will always remember. Eleven-year-old Rebecca Giblon of Thornhill played a thrilling four-hour game against WFM Liza Kisteneva of Russia that ended in a draw. “This was the best result of my life!” burbled Rebecca to her friends and family at a late dinner after the match. “What a great way to start the tournament!”