Ukrainian chess prodigy gets wild card entry to British Championships

‘I FEEL EXCITED’: Maksym Larchikov

EXCLUSIVE

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

A 14-year-old Ukrainian refugee is hoping to make some big moves after being given a wild card entry to the elite section of the British Chess Championships.

Maksym Larchikov will compete against grandmasters in the main championship of the ten-day tournament, which gets under way in Hull on Thursday, July 25.

The winner of that section will be crowned British Champion.

Described as an “exceptional talent” by Graham Chesters, president of Hull and East Riding Chess Association, Maksym began playing at the age of seven and his wild card entry follows his recent win at a weekend tournament in Durham against players of all ages.

“Gosh, what an achievement,” said Graham of the Durham win.

Asked how he was feeling about taking part in the British Championships, Maksym said: “It’s really good because it’s going to be the strongest tournament I’ve played in. I feel excited and I feel like I can play with all of them.”

Maksym, who is originally from Kharkiv, is a pupil at Sirius Academy West in Hull and said playing chess helps with his maths.

He began playing with school friends in Ukraine and found he was good at it.

“I just went to school and played a couple of chess games and did pretty well,” he said. “My dad used to play chess but he didn’t play that much.”

Asked what he enjoys about the game, Maksym said: “Well, I like playing long games when you’ve got time to think and know the move you’re playing.

“I enjoy when I’m winning but sometimes when I lose I’m still happy because I know I played well and if it’s against a strong opponent I know I played well.”

Like all good players, Maksym is also a student of the game. “I do study, different chess books and looking at strong players’ games,” he said.

His favourite player is the French great Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.

Although Maksym plays often he is also careful to take a break when needed.

He said: “Sometimes I’ve got tournaments every two weeks, sometimes I need to take a break of three weeks or a month. But even when I take a break I still study chess – I just need to take a break from playing.”

‘MAKSYM IS AN EXCEPTIONAL TALENT’: Graham Chesters, right, president of Hull and East Riding Chess Association, pictured at a chess table recently installed in Pearson Park, with city councillor Jack Haines, another keen chess player

Maksym is doing what he can to ready himself for the tournament, but preparation will begin in earnest when he learns the identity of his first opponent the night before his first game, which is on Saturday, July 27.

“I’m doing preparations when I know the actual opponent I‘ve got, and before that I’m repeating my variations,” Maksym said.

Graham added: “You get to know the person you’re playing the night before and you know which colour you are. So if you’re black and you know the opponent you can then go on the computer and get access to lots and lots of games played by the opponent so you get a sense of what he plays, what sort of games he plays, or even the specific opening.”

Maksym first came to the attention of the chess community in Hull by beating one of the city’s best players at a “chess fest” aged just 12.

Graham said: “In June 2022 John Cooper was doing a chess fest in Princes Quay [shopping centre] and Maksym beat him.

“We had one of the strongest players in Hull playing 20 people at the same time and Maksym was one of those and then there’s a knockout tournament, fast-speed knockout, and Maksym got into the semi-final. So to have this 12-year-old [doing that] then you couldn’t help but notice.

“He’s obviously been extremely well coached as well before he came.”

‘DELIGHTED THE EVENT IS RETURNING TO HULL’: The Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Mark Collinson, who is competing in the Over 65 section

Maksym came to Hull in May 2022 fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Asked if chess helped take his mind off events in his homeland, Maksym said: “Yes, sometimes. It has had a big impact because I’m here and half my family’s there, so chess does help and it’s needed.”

Also wishing him well in the tournament will be his chess coach in Ukraine, who he is still in touch with, while Maksym’s mum Tanya, who is with him in Hull, will be giving him all the encouragement she can.

“My son is my star,” she said.

Another significant entrant into this year’s tournament is the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Mark Collinson, who is playing in the Over 65 championship. It is thought to be the first time a serving lord mayor has played in the British Championship in its 120-year history.

Councillor Collinson, who has played in the championships previously, said: “Naturally, I am delighted that this event is returning to Hull.

“Many players from around the country have told me how much they enjoyed their last visit here.

“Hopefully this time will be even better – and hopefully my play will be better as well!”

• The British Chess Championships are taking place at Hull City Hall and DoubleTree by Hilton hotel between July 25 and August 4. More information is available here.