Ukrainian Drafts-64 Championship among women
Congratulations to the students of KNURE – Alena Nosareva (1st year, ITM faculty) and Vera Popruga (2nd year, CI) with a successful performance at the Ukrainian Drafts-64 Championship. 47 athletes (29 men and 18 women) from 9 regions of the country took part in the main tournament of the year, from September 18 to 26 in Dnipro. In total, 4 national grandmasters and 6 masters of sports competed in three women’s tournaments.
The Ukrainian Championship began with a tournament with classical time control. To identify the champion of the country, women played 7 rounds according to the Swiss system. Each participant played 7 micromatch, consisting of two parties of white and black checkers. Time was allotted for each game of 40 minutes with the addition of 15 seconds per move. Almost every tour lasted up to 4 hours.
For seven days, 11 best athletes of Ukraine (including two students of KNURE) fought for championship medals. I must say that the classic game is the most prestigious program and is a qualifier for the European and World Championships. In the fight for the bronze medal, four drafts players at once finished with the same number of points scored – 8. Among this quartet were master of sports Vera Popruga and candidate for master of sports Alena Nosareva. The fate of the prize-winning place was decided by additional indicators, Alena turned out to be the best. For the first time in her career, A. Nosareva climbed the podium, and V. Popruga finished right behind her – Vera took 4th place. In addition to the won medal, Alena Nosareva also received a pleasant bonus. She fulfilled the standard of the Master of Sports of Ukraine.
Tournaments for fast (15 minutes + 10 seconds) and lightning (5 minutes + 3 seconds) game controls were held on weekends. Vera Popruga performed better here, twice entered the top 5 of the best drafts women in Ukraine in 2021. In spite of the fact that three ex-world champions were in front of Vera in the “rapid” (this is also the name of the rapid game), Vera was again close to the bronze medal. Unfortunately, in the distribution of places from third to fifth, she again had no luck with additional conditions. The fight in “blitz” (blitz competition) was fierce and interesting. Each game changed the course of the tournament struggle.
As a result: Alena Nosareva has a bronze in the classics and has fulfilled the standard of the master of sports of Ukraine, and Vera Podpruga has the fourth and two fifth places among the best drafts women of Ukraine. By the way, Vera fulfilled her standard of master of sports at the age of 13.
The next championship of Ukraine in drafts-100 among men and women, which will be held in November.
P.S. Interestingly, the 2016 KNURE graduate, the 2012 World Junior Champion International Master Mazur Vladislav became the Champion of Ukraine among men. He received the right to represent Ukraine in the European and World Championships.
