Young Latvian Checkers Shine at European Youth Championship
From August 1 to 7, the first stage of the European Youth Checkers Championship took place in Latvia. Young Latvian checkers displayed exceptional talent, claiming thirteen championship titles, five silver, and ten bronze medals. The Latvian team also dominated the national team competition, securing first place in all three disciplines.
In the girls under ten age group, Alise Misāne, a young Latvian checkers FMJD master, dominated, claiming three European youth champion titles across all three disciplines. Other notable results in this age group include Anna Lebedinska’s silver and bronze medals, Ramona Serpāne’s two bronze medals, and Anna Radionova’s silver medal.
The boys under ten age group also shone brightly. Nils Panko secured the title of European youth champion in the classical time control competition. Tom Anderson followed suit, claiming two European Youth Championship titles (rapid checkers and quick game) and a silver medal in classical time control. Ernests Anderson and Paul Panko secured silver and bronze medals, respectively.
The girls’ age group up to thirteen years saw Varvara Ivanova become a two-time European champion, while Natalija Paškova and Luīze Gudēvica-Liepiņa won gold and bronze medals in the quick game tournament.
The boys’ age group up to thirteen years also produced impressive results. Ilya Trasko secured gold in the quick game, silver in the quick checkers competition, and a bronze medal in the classical time control tournament. Nikita Vorotnikov claimed a bronze medal in the quick checkers competition.
Pēteris Kripans, representing the outstanding boys up to sixteen years old, dominated the competition, securing three European titles and three gold medals for Latvia. Alisa Orlova claimed the girls’ under 16 title in the quick checkers competition.
The Latvian junior group under 19 also performed admirably. FMJD master Klāvs Norenbergs secured third place in the classical time control competition, while Reinis Štāls achieved the same in the fast checkers time control competition.
For more detailed results, photos, and video recordings of the opening and award ceremonies, please visit the competition website.
The Latvian Checkers Federation actively promotes checkers among young people and adults, participates in international tournaments, and hosts significant international competitions in Latvia. Founded in 1993, the LDF is the recognized checkers sports federation in Latvia.