Russia and the Republic of Belarus

I love returning to my city unexpectedly, as evening falls,
Pushing my way through crowds of familiar, solid clouds,
And descending onto the airfield, intoxicated by the reunion,
Drowning in the coolness of the salty Baltic winds.

I love returning to my city as a smoke-stained visitor,
Hopping into a taxi at the most cozy taxi stand there is,
And slowing down just a little on Architect Rossi Street
As I wait for the glint of epaulets flashing in the distance.

Alexander Rosenbaum

The All-Russian Russian Draughts Competitions dedicated to the memory of the legendary Grandmaster Vladimir Skrabov have started in Yaroslavl. The tournament, which aims to immortalize the legacy of the two-time World Champion and multiple Russian Champion, will continue until July 12. Grandmaster Ivan Smurkov, a representative of the Yaroslavl team, is participating in this event.

The international tournament on Russian draughts has started in Orsha. A well-organized tournament, gathered under its banners famous grandmasters, elegant and feminine conquerors of the draughts game, and just good friends united by one idea. And very creative. Who will win in this competition, we will find out in a few days.

Historical background: Ulan-Ude (Buryat: Ulaan-Ude khotu; until 1934, Verkhneudinsk) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Buryatia in the Russian Federation. Along with Severobaikalsk, it is a city of republican significance.

It is a major cultural, scientific, and industrial center in Eastern Siberia (geographical region). Since 2018, it has been administratively part of the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD), where it is the third-largest city in terms of population, behind only Vladivostok and Khabarovsk.

The IDA World Cup for large-board draughts is being held in Astana. We saw Alexander Georgiev and Alexander Getmansky, as well as numerous draughts players from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. With the current division of draughts sports, any competition in the Asian region brings some variety.

The International Draughts Federation (IDF), in accordance with the Competition Calendar for 2026, is holding the Draughts World Cup-64 — International Competition “Vietnam-2026” in Mui Ne (Vietnam) from October 8 (arrival day) to October 15 (departure day), 2026. Draughts-64 competitions will be held in Vietnam for the first time! The competitions will be held in three disciplines: Classic, Rapid and Blitz

Республиканский центр олимпийской подготовки по шахматам и шашкам

On June 8, 2026, the Republican Olympic Training Center (hereinafter referred to as the Center) for Chess and Draughts will host a major sporting event—a simultaneous draughts exhibition open to the public. The session will be led by a legend of Belarusian sports, Andrei Stanislavovich Valyuk, an athlete and instructor for the Republic of Belarus’s national draughts team.

Why is this an event you can’t miss?

This is your unique chance to sit down at the same board with an outstanding master, test your tactical skills, and personally learn from the best player on the planet.

On May 30, 2026, a presentation of Vladimir Langin’s book «Начинаю и выигрываю» will take place at the library located at 4 Tchaikovsky Street in Sochi. A “simultaneous draughts exhibition” will also be held during the event. Admission is free.

Loo is a resort village in the Lazarevsky District of the “City-Resort of Sochi” municipal formation in Krasnodar Krai.

The village is located on the Black Sea coast, at the mouth of the Loo River. It is situated 44 km southeast of the district center—the Lazarevskoye microdistrict—26 km northwest of Central Sochi, and 270 km south of the city of Krasnodar (by road). The A-147 “Dzhubga–Adler” federal highway and a branch of the North Caucasus Railway run through the neighborhood. The Loo railway platform operates in the neighborhood.

On May 19, 2026, at 7:15 p.m. Yakutsk time (+6 hours behind Moscow), the Match of the Year took place between two stunning and charming young women: Sandaara Aprosimova and Victoria Nikolaeva. The match was broadcast live on the “Live Broadcast – NVK ‘Sakha’” channel. Please note:

Sandaara Aprosimova (Yakutia) — reigning WORLD champion

Victoria Nikolaeva (Belarus) — reigning EUROPEAN champion

Commentating on the match — legends of world draughts!

Gavril Kolesov — 12-time world champion (64-square checkers)
Nikolai Struchkov — 5-time world champion (64-square checkers)
Matrena Nogovitsyna — 5-time world champion (100-square checkers)

In light of recent developments in the world of draughts, it seems necessary to offer a measured yet substantive assessment of the current situation regarding the activities of the FMJD—an organization claiming international status.

Contrary to existing legal, collegial, and international agreements, officials of this organization have announced the holding of the “European Brazilian Draughts Championship.”

The International Draughts Federation (IDF), in accordance with the 2026 Competition Calendar, will host the 64-Square Draughts World Cup in Turkey from April 20 to 29, 2026