The draughts elite will gather up in Ufa

Press conference was held today by IA “Bashinform”.

Participants were: chief of professional draughts club “Bashneft” Yury Chertok, head of "Management of organization and holding of sports events of Bashkortostan" Alexander Efimov, current world champion Alexander Georgiev, Pan-American champion Alan Silva (Brazil).

World championship of such a format holds for the first time in Ufa. It was held eight years ago in the Netherlands. The tournament will feature the best draughts players of the world - 40 participants qualified in the championships of Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Hundreds of athletes fought for the right to participate in the championship. This struggle has taken the last two years. The prize fund is almost 4 million rubles – that’s what Yury Chertok told.

Alexander Efimov has told us, that all games will be held at the sanatorium "Green Grove". - We expect intense competition. In addition to the sports component we scheduled cultural program, including field trips and excursions. The experience of international competition shows that unlike other sports, draughts players do not like intense trips, - said Alexander.

The current world champion Alexander Georgiev told about his training and plans. - The strongest players gathered here, and it’s impossible to foreseen the outcome of the championship. For me the mane rivals are international grandmaster Alexei Chizhov, and Bashkirian and Dutch sportsmen.

Brazilian player Alan Silva shared his joy to participate in championship.- I've been training for a long time. I am glad that I have achieved that. For me the main rivals are Aynur Shaibakov and Roel Bumstra - said Alan. These two are among the strongest players and contenders for the victory.

It is believed that the younger the player the faster the reaction time and more chances to win. With such a long distance, and there will be 18 rounds, the advantage is on the side of the young. It will be interesting to watch the game of such talented players - said Yury Chertok. – It will be more difficult for Zoya Golubeva, the multiple champion from Latvia, which by the way was the only one who qualified among the women.