Looking back at the World Junior Chess Championships 2015

Mikhail Antipov and Natalya Buksa

The FIDE World Juniors 2015 was held in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, from the 1st of September till the 16th of September 2015.There were two age categories U20 Open and U20 Girls. It is the most prestigious tournaments for junior players in the world and this is what makes them closer to their dreams of becoming a future world champion.

India has already had winners in this tournament in the past with Vishy Anand winning this title enroute to becoming a world champion.This year the championships were organized by the Ugra Chess Federation under the auspices of the Russian Chess Federation.The total prize money was huge giving young players a chance to realise their full potential.

This year the tournament saw a huge participation from across the globe and several countries had sent their contigents.In a strong battlefield it was GM Mikhail Antipov of Russia who scored a massive 10/13 points and clinched the boys title and WFM Nataliya Buksa of the Ukraine who clinched the girls title with the same number of points.

The Indian team also performed well with IM G. Akash finishing ninth in the open section and others like Michelle Catherina, SL Narayan and J Saranya also doing well.

The tournament was a huge success and is a stepping stone for the youngsters to take up the game at a higher level. It provides a unique platform for juniors to showcase their true worth and also gets them media attention and sponsorers. The winners also get bragging rights as the new World Junior Champions.

Next year it will be time for us to buckle up our boots as the World Junior is back in India. It will be held in Bhubhaneswar in the month of August-September. Indians are now the gunning force of Junior Chess are all in preparations for next year’s crucial event. All eyes are now set on World Juniors Championships 2016.