There is a generational change at the “closed school.”
We haven’t paid much attention to draughts players from the Baltic region for a long time. Or, more precisely, the Baltic states. And in the new year of 2026, nothing has changed for the better in one proud federation. Draughts players also gather behind closed doors without broadcasts or audience access. It’s as if they are committing some kind of crime or attending a sect that is forbidden to talk about. In general, they are satisfying themselves in the old-fashioned way.
But we should still mention the qualifying tournament for men and women on the big board. In addition, another generational change is on the horizon. Younger players have arrived and replaced the previous junior team, which has gone far away. Only Klāvs Norenbergs remains from the old guard. Only one question arises: how and on what will they spend their time under the current stubborn leadership of their own federation? Will they be able to get rid of their fears and weakness and take part in all international competitions, including the IDF? Or will they just play for small medals and cookies in a closed space? We’ll see.
We have little faith in change. A coward will always remain a coward. After all, according to Sigmund Freud, all life skills are laid down in childhood.
There is a very good Georgian proverb: “All her life, the sheep was afraid of wolves, but it was the shepherd who ate her.”
In the meantime, let’s look at the results.