Move to Victory: Online and Offline

On 5th March 2023, on behalf of the Odessa Region Chess Federation, I organised the MOVE TO VICTORY (in Ukrainian: "HID DO PEREMOHY") international online blitz with 318 participants. In was 9-round Swiss system tournament with 5 GMs and no less than 23 other FIDE titled players.

Oleg Budnikov became the winner. Event's main sponsor was Bank Vostok and the prize fund was 14,000 UAH (approx. 380 USD), including 4,000 UAH as prizes for players of the Odessa Region.
Results, games

MOVE TO VICTORY wasn't a single event. On 12th March the Odessa City Chess Federation organised children-only international rapid (Arena format at Lichess) with 196 participants, won by FM Maksym Goroshkov. 


My niece Alina, playing from Monaco.

On 21st March a closing ceremony of the MOVE TO VICTORY tournaments took place in Odesa. Kids, who participated in tournaments, were awarded with special prizes from the local sponsors.




(Photos: Odesa Regional State Administration; Lyudmila Zakharova).

5th March tournament: top games

5th March tournament: The final report PDF; IM Skliarov's stream; FB event page (in Ukrainian language)

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On 20th July 2022, we (the Odessa Region Chess Federation) have already organised the online event, Odesa Blitz, similar to the 5th March tournament.