On February 21, the 9th Open Charity Chess Tournament “In Memory of the Heavenly Hundred and War Heroes” took place at the Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies.
More than 150 participants from across Ukraine, including Ukrainian defenders took part in the competition, representing different age groups (from 10 to 65 years old) and chess ratings.
Participation fees were directed to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine: a Starlink unit, protective covers (anti-thermal and anti-drone for Starlink), and thermal insoles, which were purchased and delivered to the front line for the 5th Separate Assault Brigade.
During the tournament, a charity auction was also held to raise additional funds for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The honorary guest of the tournament was renowned Lviv chess player of international acclaim, Adrian Mykhailchyshyn. Participants were also welcomed by student chaplain Fr. Vitalii, partner of the tournament and head of the NGO “Zakhyst Derzhavy” Oleksandr Labetskyi, University Rector Professor Ivan Parubchak, Chief Arbiter and FIDE arbiter Ivan Ilnytskyi, and war veteran Yurii Zhukovets.
Winners were determined in six categories: “Overall Standings,” “Rating up to 1800,” “Women,” and “Children” (born in 2012 and younger, 2014 and younger, 2016 and younger). In the overall standings, Matvii Sobol won first place and received the honorary trophy. In total, participants competed for a prize fund of 55,000 UAH.
This year, for the first time, a special monetary award was introduced by a benefactor from Belgium, Jürgen Govaerts, amounting to 5,000 UAH each for the winners in the “Women” and “Youngest Participants” categories.
The event is primarily aimed at honoring the memory of those who fought for Ukraine’s freedom, as well as fostering patriotic education among children and youth.
We congratulate the winners and thank all participants for a great game in a friendly atmosphere.
We also express sincere gratitude to the organizers and partners of the tournament.
Our social and charitable events are held under the patronage of Oleksandr Veremeienko, President of the NGO and Charity Foundation “Rozvytok Hromady”
Permanent partner of our events is also the Lviv Regional Trade Union of the Separate Unit of Defenders of Ukraine.