The 24th European Union Youth Chess Championship for the U8, U10, U12, and U14 age categories concluded at the Hotel Energetic in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, Czech Republic. Organized under the patronage of the European Chess Union (ECU), the event was once again staged by Šachový klub Světlá nad Sázavou in cooperation with the Czech Chess Federation, continuing the success of previous years.
The championship received support from the Zlín Region, the city of Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, and the Hotel Energetic.
Boys and girls competed in the same tournament sections, with separate rankings for each gender. The championship attracted 132 players from 19 federations, and all games were broadcast live online. The winners and top finishers in each category are as follows:
Boys U8
1st place: Kalin Kotsev (BUL)
2nd place: Majus Marcinkevičius (LTU)
3rd place: Artur Zych (POL)
Girls U8
1st place: Sophia Kaliskami (GRE)
2nd place: Greta Flora Bánvölgyi (HUN)
3rd place: Ioana Onica (ROU)
Boys U10
1st place: Vakaris Drapaš (LTU)
2nd place: Ștefan Grigorescu (ROU)
3rd place: Aleksandr Undusk (EST)
Girls U10
1st place: Monika Guziana (POL)
2nd place: Maja Cholewa (POL)
3rd place: Sabina-Teodora Duțcovici (ROU)
Boys U12
1st place: Sergejs Filipovs (LAT)
2nd place: Jindřich Trejbal (CZE)
3rd place: Georgi Koev (BUL)
Girls U12
1st place: Niya Malcheva (BUL)
2nd place: Agnieszka Ślusarczyk (POL)
3rd place: Helena Taradajko (POL)
Boys U14
1st place: Boyd Leenen (NED)
2nd place: Julius Mikolavičius (LTU)
3rd place: Răzvan-George Pârvu (ROU)
Girls U14
1st place: Aleksandra Pehlivanova (BUL)
2nd place: Olga Dębowska (POL)
3rd place: Amelia Janaszak (POL)
The top three finishers in each category received a trophy and a diploma, while every participant was awarded a medal. All eight European champions also took home a laptop, and the next five players in each category received additional valuable prizes. Every player was given a T-shirt featuring the EUYCC logo. Prizes were presented by the tournament director, Mr. Zdeněk Fiala, and a representative of the Slovak Chess Federation, Mr. Karol Pekár.
A special “Best Game of the Round” award was presented each day. The following players were recognized for their outstanding performance: Andrii Stakhurskyi (ESP), Daniel Sava (ROU), Helena Taradajko (POL), Boyd Leenen (NED), Yana Lozanova (BUL), Klaudia Čížková (CZE), Olaf Guździół (LUX), Anna Hrčková (CZE), Nikolai Bessonov (CZE), Artjoms Bakašs (LAT), Nikola Malchev (BUL), Amelia Janaszak (POL), Sophia Kaliskami (GRE), Aleksandr Undusk (EST), Michal Vaněk (CZE), and Aleksandra Pehlivanova (BUL).
On Monday, August 24, an additional event featured a simultaneous exhibition by IM Petr Pisk. Ten participants – including parents – played with 35 minutes each on the clock against Pisk, who ultimately scored 8 wins and 2 draws. The two drawn games were secured by Pavel Lozanov (BUL) and Frederik Olejník (SVK).
Throughout the event, organizers offered a variety of activities for participants and accompanying persons, including chess-related events (such as the simultaneous exhibition with IM Petr Pisk and a blitz tournament) and non-chess leisure options. Hotel amenities included a swimming pool, wellness facilities, a sauna, and a playground. A photo gallery from the tournament and other activities was made available on the official website.
The organizers extend their gratitude to all players for their performance and fair play, to parents and coaches for their cooperation, to the arbiters for running the tournament smoothly, and to all collaborators for their contributions. Special thanks go to the Zlín Region and the city of Rožnov pod Radhoštěm for their financial support of the 2026 EU Youth Championship.
By Zdeněk Fiala
Tournament Director, Šachový klub Světlá nad Sázavou
Official website:
https://www.chess.cz/mistrovstvi-evropske-unie/
Complete results:
https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1470758.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0
Photogallery:
https://www.rajce.idnes.cz/sachysvetla/album/euycc-2026