Participation in the Friendship and Peace Cup chess tournament brought victory to a Novgorod State University student from India

A second-year student of the General Medicine specialty at Yaroslav the Wise Novgorod State University, Mahi Patil, won the Friendship and Peace Cup chess tournament. The competition was held at Nikita Slobodskoy Chess School and was dedicated to Russia Day. A total of 18 athletes from the Novgorod and Leningrad regions competed for the victory.

“I have been playing chess since I was six. There were many sports sections at school, but chess was my passion. Seeing such a deep interest, my mother enrolled me in chess classes. Apart from school tournaments, I also participated in several open rapid chess tournaments, including matches against professionals,” says Mahi Patil.

After entering Novgorod State University, the girl continued to play chess and participated in student tournaments.

"The Friendship and Peace Cup" was a very interesting competition. Even the young opponents skillfully attacked or followed a reliable defensive strategy. Out of seven games played, I won five," the winner shared.

The tournament itself was held in a rapid format with nine rounds. The athletes were given 40 minutes for the entire game. According to the tournament organizer Nikita Slobodskoy, the competition format allows preserving the strategic element of the game, but at the same time requires athletes to react faster and plan their moves.

"This is already the second international championship that the school organizes. There are plans to hold such games on a regular basis, all tournaments are official and allow you to get or improve your sports category," says Nikita Slobodskoy.

Let us add that the tournament was organized with the support of Novgorod State University and the Novgorod Region Chess Federation.

Photo by Yaroslav the Wise Novgorod State University