Uppsala Young Champions

An interview with the player David Narva (in Swedish). He is playing Uppsala Young Champions for the 5th(!) time.

No game on Tuesday until 3 pm, and Isaac Storme and David Narva decides to go to Studentbokhandeln (the Student Bookstore) located across the street from the Schackcentrum to look for books. Unfortunately, for the people in Uppsala, the same day it was announced that Studentbokhandeln had to close, and the local newspaper went there and Isak and David told them they “like to browse the books before deciding to buy.”

“Who is going to stop Heimisson from Iceland?” is the head line on schack.se (home page of the Swedish Chess Federation) to day? It is a legitimate question, since he is one full point ahead the rest of the players.

In round 6 Heimisson beat Hampus Sörensen and tomorrow he is playing the Swedish junior champion Kaan Küçüksarı.

Simon Thorhallsson from Iceland (black) had fought for a long time against  Collin Colbow from Germany, without much hope.

White just made the seemingly decisive 71.Rg6-g5. The threat is Rf3-f8 with mate. But Simon found the last chance – he sacrificed the queen with 71…Qh4†! and whites only options was 72.Kxh4 and stalemate!

On Sunday night most of the participants played a blitz tournament together with some of Uppsalas blitz stars. Even some players from other cities joined and it was a great tournament.

Johan Norberg won, with youngsters Jung Min Seo och Kaan Küçüksarı 2nd and 3rd. Kurt Ekelund, Uppsala and Elmar Reinert Fjällheim, Faroe Islands won rating prizes

All results

The games from the first five rounds can be seen below. Click above the board to choose game.

The chess photographer Lars OA Hedlund has made a video from the tournament.

After three rounds four players are in the lead with 2,5 points.

In one of the games in the 3rd round Vitus Buchert from Uppsala played black against young Luitjen Akselsson Apol from Faroe Islands.

White has had the upper hand during most of the game, but in the end game black has come back and is now in charge. But in this position, despite of the knight, it is only one move that collects the full point.  55…Rxa7! After  56.Rxa7 h2 there is no way to stop the pawn from queening. After 57.Rh7 Bh4 58.Bg7† Kh3 white can resign. Unfortunately black missed the opportunity and after 55…Bd8 a draw was agreed in some moves.

The 5th Uppsala Young Champions is played 26-31 October 2018. Very welcome to Uppsala!