The European Youth chess championship 2018 is organized by joining forces of Latvian Chess Federation, European Chess Union and the organizing team of the International Chess Festival Riga Technical University Open. The key persons in the organizing team are the following.
FM, IO Aris Ozolins – is the President of Latvian Chess Federation and FIDE Baltic zone. Aris is the most experienced organizer in Latvia. International Chess Festival Liepajas Rokade stands out of the long list of the tournaments organized by Aris. In August 2018 the festival will take place for the 25th consecutive time. During all these years the organizing team is led by Aris. The festival is one of the best known, largest and strongest rapid chess festivals in Baltics. Many strong grandmasters visit Liepaja for 4 days in August, including FIDE World ex-champion Alexander Khalifman, Jaan Ehlvest, Igor Kovalenko, Alexei Shirov, Zurab Azmaiparashvili. Aris is the author of the idea that European Women and Youth Chess Championships should be organized in Riga. He has made the biggest efforts for these big chess events to be held in Riga, Latvia.
Tournament director, FM IO Egons Lavendelis – is leading the organizing team of the International Chess Festival Riga Technical University Open. During the 7 years of the Festival’s history the tournament has become by far the largest and strongest classical chess festival in Baltic countries and one of the top tournaments in Northern Europe. It usually gathers more than 400 players, including around 25 GMs and more than 100 titled players, with a last year record 655 participants and 42 GMs in total! Egons has also organized many other events in Latvia, including all kinds of Latvian Championships and, most importantly, he was the director of a very successful European Women Championship 2017. Egons leads the local organizing team of the European Youth Championship.
WIM Katrina Amerika (Skinke) – is also a key member of Riga Technical University Open organizers team. She has been a member of the organizing team during all years of RTU Open and significantly contributed to shape the festival as to be as good as it is nowadays. Katrina is also a member of Latvian Olympic chess team, so she has experienced the largest chess events of the world as a participant and is contributing this experience to the team of organizers.
GM Toms Kantans - manager of the registration process. Professional chess-player with years of experience participating in big international events as well as 10 years of participating in youth events. He has participated in organizing multiple events in the past as well as together with Anna Kantane was managing registration process of participants for European Women Championship 2017. He will be able to answer all your questions professionally but in the same time like a fellow chess player. Contact: [email protected].
WIM Anna Kantane - manager of the registration process. Professional chess player who also has been taking part in organising various tournaments in Latvia and Poland, including Woman European Chess Championship 2017, where she was also managing a registration process. She will happily answer any of your questions regarding registration but also tournament in general, and anything you need to know to make your experience in Riga comfortable and enjoyable. Contact: [email protected]
FA Toms Kalnins - manager of the accommodation.
