Russian Championships Superfinals to Begin in Tsarskoe Selo
First games will be played on 1 October.
The Superfinals of the 76th Russian championship and the 73rd Russian women's championship will be held in Tsarskoe Selo State Museum and Heritage Site (Saint Petersburg) from 30 September to 13 October as part of the Chess in Museums programme carried out by the Chess Federation of Russia and Timchenko Foundation.
Lineup, open: GM Vladislav Artemiev (FIDE rating as of 01.09.2023 - 2697), GM Evgeny Tomashevsky (2694), GM Andrey Esipenko (2683), GM Maxim Matlakov (2674), GM Evgeniy Najer (2648), GM Volodar Murzin (2633), GM Pavel Ponkratov (2596), GM Artyom Tomofeev (2576), GM Aleksandra Goryachkina (2558), GM Klementy Sychev (2552), GM Kateryna Lagno (2546), and GM Ivan Rozum (2531).
Lineup, women: IM Polina Shuvalova (2506), GM Valentina Gunina (2439), WGM Natalija Pogonina (2432), IM Leya Garifullina (2402), IM Olga Badelka (2386), IM Alina Bivol (2373), IM Marina Korneva (2361), FM Ekaterina Goltseva (2338), WGM Baira Kovanova (2306), WFM Anna Shukhman (2232), WFM Mariya Yakimova (2222), and WIM Olga Matveeva (2160).
Andrey Filatov, President of the Chess Federation of Russia: "The Superfinal is the most important individual competition in Russia. Traditionally, this year will bring us new faces – first-timers to the national championships who will have to pass a "test" in front of more experienced players. It will be a great opportunity for young participants to prove themselves. It is also of interest that two of the strongest female chess players of Russia – Aleksandra Goryachkina and Kateryna Lagno – will participate in the open tournament for the first time in the history of chess. Their participation will undoubtedly be of great interest to the spectators.
I would like to thank all organisers and partners of the competition on behalf of the Chess Federation of Russia. The Superfinals have already taken place in museums of various cities of our country, and this year the tournament takes place in one of the most beautiful places in Russia – Tsarskoe Selo. The setting of magnificent palaces and picturesque parks cannot but inspire bright games. I wish good luck to all participants of the tournament!"
Maria Morozova, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, General Director of the Timchenko Foundation: "Thanks to the Timchenko Foundation's "Chess in Museums" project, the tournament has gone beyond the level of a mere sporting competition. Now it is a constant source of inspiration, a socially significant event, which strengthens interest not only in chess but also in the art and history of our country. The tradition of holding the Superfinal in museums is getting stronger every year, which is very important for me.
The Tsarskoe Selo State Museum and Heritage Site in the city of Pushkin will host this year's championship. Surrounded by luxurious interiors and historic walls, the young chess players will put their best foot forward against their more experienced opponents. Young talents will improve their professional level by competing with their colleagues, and in their free time, they will broaden their horizons by immersing in the culture of our country. I wish inspiration, interesting chess games and, of course, long-awaited victories to the participants! Let the 2023 tournament stand out as an unforgettable athletic event."
Olga Taratynova, Director of the Tsarskoe Selo State Museum and Heritage Site: "For two weeks our museum will become the Russian capital of chess, a place where thinking and the will to win are in the centre. It is symbolic that this year's Russian Championships Superfinals is held at the Tsarskoe Selo State Museum and Heritage Site. One of the oldest intellectual games was an organic part of the life of the summer imperial residence – chess was played in the palace interiors. The Museum's collection includes sets of Chinese chess pieces from the 18th-19th centuries, amber chessboards from the mid-18th century, and even an amber-encrusted board for board games, presumably from the personal belongings of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.
Tsarskoe Selo is known as a place that radiates a creative atmosphere. I am confident that this will be an additional incentive for the contestants to strive for more. The very idea of holding such major sports tournaments in museums is extremely successful: it is a combination of inexhaustible beauty, intellect and sports excitement. I wish all the participants success, strength of will, virtuoso games and, of course, victories!"
The tournaments are 11-round all-play-all events. The match days are 1-6 and 8-12 October. The games will start at 3 PM Moscow time.
In case of a tie for the 1st place, an additional competition will be held.
Traditionally, a day of a social programme is organised during the Superfinals. This year, seven simuls and two team competitions will be held on 7 October.
The Superfinals are organised by the Chess Federation of Russia with support of the Russian Ministry of Sport and Timchenko Foundation in cooperation with the Tsarskoe Selo State Museum and Heritage Site, the Saint Petersburg Physical Culture and Sports Committee, the Saint Petersburg External Relations Committee, and the Saint Petersburg Sports Chess Federation.
The CFR general partner is PhosAgro. The CFR partner is Aeroflot.
Tournament page
