Italian chess has decided to mobilize for Ukrainian boys fleeing their country following the invasion of Russian troops. The Italian Chess Federation (FSI) has decided, with an urgent resolution, “to allow Ukrainian boys and girls who are in Italy to participate. to escape the horrors of war and the destruction of their cities at the FSI Youth Tournaments who select the participants in the finals of the Italian Youth Championship, scheduled this year in Terrasini, in the province of Palermo, from 3 to 9 July “.
An example of brotherhood and closeness that could theoretically lead to the crowning of a young Ukrainian as the new ‘Italian Champion’ in one or more of the categories into which the Championships are divided, namely Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18, all six divided into “Open” and “Female”.
The FSI has decided to launch this derogation from the regulation “as a sign of solidarity with the very young Ukrainian refugees, and also to offer them a chance for distraction and entertainment. In the awareness that chess is a very popular discipline in that country: Ukraine graduated last November as European Team Champion, and the current Italian Champion, Elena Sedina, is of Ukrainian origin, a native of Kiev “.
The FSI also wanted to accept “the solicitation of the President of CONI Giovanni Malagò, who had invited all the sports organizations in the country to welcome and give space to Ukrainian refugees in their initiatives”.