The 7th edition of the World University Chess Championship was dominated by the Chinese who took all three categories.
There will always be some people who maintain that chess is not a sport. At FISU, we were never really concerned about the question, since we have integrated the discipline in our programme. This kind of mental gymnastics is very popular in academic circles and the World University Chess Championships are always a success. This was already true in the first two editions held in Odessa (USSR) in 1990 and Antwerp (Belgium) in 1992. Unfortunately, these two events suffered from not being included in the FIDE (International Chess Federation) calendar. If they had been, the winners of the World University Chess Championship would have been awarded International Master or Grand Master status. At the Sofia (BUL) edition in 1994, the discipline really took on full value at FISU because for the first time the results were recorded by FIDE, giving participants a chance to vie for international FIDE titles. The FISU championships had reached such a high level that nothing else made sense.
This was the first World University Championship hosted in Mongolia. For the 'Mongolian Students Sport Federation' which has been a member of our federation since 1977, this was a major success and we are pleased to how well it organized the event. So the 7th World University Chess Championship took place in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital, located on the Tuul river. This town of 750,000 inhabitants founded 1639 has 7 universities. Many people still think of the town of Ulaanbatar as an isolated stopover where the nomads of Mongolia set up their 'Ghers'. Of course, this is totally wrong. The capital is a modern city including large rug and cashmere manufactures. It also boasts of nearby magnificent historical and natural sites.
Opening Ceremony
It is unusual for the President of a country to do us the honour of attending the opening of a championship. But that is what happened in Ulaanbatar where Mr. Bagabandi, President of Mongolia, took a part in this celebration by making the first move on the board of the Mongolian player (and Grand Master) Sharavdorj Dashzeveg.
Just before this, the opening ceremony was given in the central sports facility where all the games were played. The ceremony was very solemn in recognition of the efforts made by the Mongolian Students Sport Federation. In fact, many officials and representatives of diplomatic missions gave us the pleasure of their presence.
A standing ovation saluted the FISU flag raised to the tune of Gaudeamus, our official hymn. Then came a series of welcoming addresses made successively by Mr. Enkhtuvshin, President of the Organizing Comittee, Mr. Li Guobin Member of the FISU Executive Committee and Vice-President of the International Supervisory Committee and Mr. Walter Decleir, President of the Technical Committee for Chess. Mr. Enkhtuvshin then officially opened the 7th World University Chess Championship. The cultural programme that followed offered participants a lovely sample of Mongolian folk dances.
Afterwards, when the matches were about to begin, President Bagabandi came to greet the contestants. Everyone was very impressed …
High Ranked Players
Despite the absence of a few large countries, the World University Chess Championship organized in Mongolia was played at a very high level. Only nine countries made the trip, which is few in comparison to the previous editions. Still, the organizers were pleased to host four Grand Masters, two International Masters and two FIDE Masters in the men's tournament. In the women's tournament, there weretwo Grand Masters, five International Masters and 2 FIDE Masters.
The championship played by FIDE rules. Men and women therefore played separately in nine individual rounds. The team score was calculated by taking the best men's and women's result plus the third best score (men's or women's). One round was played a day. Each match could last at most ninety minutes with 30 seconds awarded per move.
Honours to the Chinese Nankai University
On paper, the Chinese team was already very strong, and its status would be confirmed as it won all three categories. Zhang Zhong from China took first place ahead of the best Russians (Shomoev, Bocharov, Iskusnykh). His compatriot Li Ruofan came in first among the ladies, with another Russian, Julia Kochetkova in second, and Mongolian Anhichimeg Bayanmonh in third. Finally, Yu Ting obtained the fourth place in the individual ladies' tournament giving the Chinese team first place in the team category for a superb triple victory. It should be mentioned, moreover, that all three players came from Nankai University, one of the 35 key universities in China directly supervised by the Ministry of Education.
Next Edition
The next World University Chess Championship will take place in Köycegiz, Turkey from September 12th to 23rd, 2004.
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FINAL RANKING
MEN
1. Zhan Zhong - CHN
2. Shomoev Anton - RUS
Bocharov Dmitry - RUS
Iskusnykh Sergey - RUS
5. Sharavdorj Dashzeveg - MGL
Chi Fengton - CHN
Batzorig Tuvshintogs - MGL
8. Hochstrasser Michael - SUI
Du Chan - CHN
Soltanici Ruslan - MDA
Iordachescu Viorel - MDA
Sitnikov Dmitrij - RUS
Mongonhuu Mijgee - MGL
Ganduulga Dagii - MGL
Otgonbat Cendayush - MGL
WOMEN
1. Li Ruofan - CHN
2. Kochetkova Julia - RUS
Anchimeg Bayanmonh - MGL
4. Petrenko Svetlana - MDA
Yu Ting - CHN
6. Rybenko Kseniya - RUS
Batceceg Tuvshintogs - MGL
Ding Linlin - CHN
TEAM
1. CHN
2. RUS
3. MGL
4. MDA
5. IND
PARTICIPATION
1. CRO - 2
2. IND - 3
3. MDA - 5
4. MGL - 10
5. PER - 1
6. POR - 4
7. RUS - 9
8. SUI - 3
TOTAL: 37
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