Israel Achieves Historic Double Gold in European U14 Chess Championship
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Israel secured a historic double gold in the European U14 Chess Championship in Crete, with Noam Sasson winning and Eliran Shilon Rahav taking second place. The Israeli delegation also achieved strong results in other age categories, including a fourth-place finish for Roy Weigman in the U18 event. The Israeli Chess Federation highlighted the success as a result of years of investment in youth development. Jerusalem is set to host two major international chess tournaments in late November, offering significant prize money.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Noam Sasson and Eliran Shilon Rahav of Israel won gold and silver in the U14 European Chess Championship.
- Israeli players achieved strong results across multiple age categories at the European Youth Chess Championship.
- The Israeli Chess Federation attributed the success to sustained investment in developing young talent.
- Jerusalem will host two international chess tournaments in late November with significant prize money.
- The elite masters tournament in Jerusalem will feature top international players like Wesley So and Arjun Erigaisi.
Israel achieved a significant double victory at the European Youth Chess Championship held in Hersonissos, Crete, from November 3-12. In the Under 14 category, Noam Sasson was crowned continental champion, narrowly defeating his compatriot Eliran Shilon Rahav. Both players finished with 7.5 points out of nine rounds, with Sasson, 13, securing the title through tie-breaks, while Rahav took the silver medal. Armenian Tigran Ambartsumian finished third with seven points. Sasson, who previously won the U9 European Championship in 2022, is considered a top Israeli chess talent. He plays for the "Chess for All" club and defeated Rahav in their direct encounter in the fifth round. Rahav plays for the "Chess Excellence" club.
Beyond the U14 success, the Israeli delegation secured other notable results. Roy Weigman placed fourth in the U18 category, and Felix Tolchinsky was seventh. In the U16 category, Ori Sheffer finished seventh and Eli Zakin ninth. In the Girls U12 category, Yahli Makyeh Shahar finished eighth, a significant improvement from her initial 70th ranking.
Zvika Barkai, President of the Israeli Chess Federation, praised the new generation of players and the efforts of clubs and coaches. Gil Borchovsky, the Federation's Director General, highlighted the years of investment in developing young talent. These achievements coincide with Jerusalem preparing to host two major international chess events. On November 17-18, the city will host a rapid chess tournament with over 450 players from 42 countries. From November 23-26, Jerusalem will also host an elite masters tournament featuring twelve top-level players, including American Wesley So, Indian Arjun Erigaisi, and Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi, who previously competed for the World Championship title. The total prize money for the masters tournament is $250,000, with $101,000 for the first-place winner.
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Coverage from i24NEWS Arabic
