Attention to GM Kamil Dragun's game

Polish University Chess Championships

On 15-17 January 2016 were held Academic Polish Chess Championships, which have been organized according to tradition by a Academic Sport Association Club of the University of Economics in Katowice. The Championship was attended by about 300 chess players from 42 universities from whole Poland.

It was not the first time when control over organizing AMP’s was taken by Economic University team from the capital of Silesia. An interesting but unexpected location of the event – Orle Gniazdo conference resort in Hucisko. The first students arrived before whole event on Thursday evening, to get rest and prepare before the big chess battles.

Among the participants there were many successful Grandmaster of chess with international achievements. Interesting announced stakes between representatives of women players, where it was difficult to select one pretending master. Men's individual tournament started with a large surprise. Seeded with a high starting number host player, GM Dariusz Świercz (ELO 2664, University of Economics in Katowice) had to acknowledge the superiority of their opponents getting ultimately 6.5/9 points. During the tournament, his advantage over rivals systematically expanded IM Maciej Klekowski (ELO 2457, AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracov), who in the final settlement for the second time in his career reached title of Academic Polish Master after ending championships with an impressive score of eight wins and one draw (8.5/9). The other two medals have been taken home by students from the University of Economics in Poznan, the silver one by GM Jacek Tomaczak and a bronze one by GM Kamil Dragun.

Women's competition started being unpredictable after seventh round when three ladies break out from rest and then it was well known that only that three will compete for medals. Fantastic disposition was proved by WGM Karina Szczepkowska (ELO 2398 University of Economics in Katowice), who with a score of 8.5/9 score over rivals. Second place with a points loss to winner get Klaudia Kulon (University of Economics in Poznań), and at the lowest step of the podium stood WGM Martha Bartel (University of Warsaw). Szczepkowska and Klekowski additionally in connection to their results qualified to represent the Poland on Academic World Championships, which will held in April in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. 8-members team will be completed by the highest quoted Polish students in world rankings. Polish team will be defending two gold medals won year ago on Academic World Championships in Katowice!

Chess players have not had much time to relax because soon after the end of the last round of the tournament, they started the team tournament. Specialists for favorites mentioned the team from Katowice, Poznan and Warsaw, but the team tournament has its own laws.

In the team competition, after 9 rounds their dominance demonstrated the highest-seeded team, Economic Universities from Katowice and Poznan. In the direct clash between the two teams they tied and Poznań team reached finish line with one point more than Katowice. The third place went to team of Wroclaw University of Technology. Start of multiple Polish Champions ended with disappointment, the University of Warsaw who only thanks to victory in the last round advanced to the top five. The first two teams earn European Team Chess Championship nomination, which will be held in the year 2017 in Malaga!

Great job in team competition was done by best individual players. Maciej Klekowski ended the competition with a score of 7.5/8, Karina Szczepkowska get 8/9. For their teams alo played well the most quoted in the rankings Dariusz Świercz (EU Katowice, 8/9) and Klaudia Kulon (EU Poznań, 5.5/7).

Thanks to sponsors for active participation in the event and help, without them Academic Championships would not reach as high level as they reached. The words of gratitude to the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, Academic Sports Association and the city representatives of Zawiercie.

Medalists of the AMP 2016 in chess:

Women:
1. Karina Bigg (University of Economics in Katowice)
2. Scodelario (Poznan University of Economics)
3. Marta Bartel (University of Warsaw)



Men:
1 Maciej Klekowski (AGH University of Science and Technology Cracovia)
2. Jacek Tomczak (Poznan University of Economics)
3. Kamil Dragun (Poznan University of Economics)



Team tournament results: 


1. Poznań University of Economics 17 points


2. University of Economics in Katowice 16 points


3. Wrocław University of Technology 14 points

Detailed results:
www.amp.katowice.pl