The Cup was played before New Year’s Eve (Results 100)
Two notable tournaments took place in Minsk this weekend. Draughts players from the Republic of Belarus competed for two cups in team competitions. Seventeen teams took part in the Russian Draughts Cup, with a total of 68 players. Many talented young draughts players played on the same team as experienced masters and grandmasters.
The Belarusian school has been one of the strongest in the world for several decades. What is the secret of its success? We believe it lies not only in strong coaches and continuity, not only in the meticulous work of managers and the preservation of traditions, but also in the fact that sport is supported at the state level. Every year, a list of young players is approved who are awarded a state prize. This monthly prize serves as a good motivating factor for pursuing one’s favorite activity.
So, according to official sources:
The Central Council of the Presidential Sports Club has approved a list of 362 scholarships for promising young Belarusian athletes and coaches. The average annual scholarship will be almost 9,000 Belarusian rubles (750 Belarusian rubles per month). It will be paid to athletes and coaches on a monthly basis throughout the year, starting in January 2026.
The list of athletes is available on the website. We will not disclose their names. But… let’s ask ourselves one question:
What have these representatives of proud little and insignificant federations done to promote and support young draughts players? Apart from writing letters about disqualification and proudly showing off their bare behinds? Apart from creating dead federations with barely breathing draughts players who sit and wait for the right moment?
Our advice to these poor souls is simple. Learn from federations that do everything to create conditions and work for results. Just learn.
We are learning. And we are watching the strongest, not the cookie sellers with old, useless grandmasters at the helm.