BELFORT, AUGUST 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The World Youth Chess Championship held under the high patronage of the President Jacques Chirac in the French city of Belfort came to a close. The championship was held for five age groups: the under-tens, 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-year-olds. A series of competitions for boys and girls took place simultaneously. 1,103 young chess-players from 82 countries took part in the championship. The Armenian team consisted of 14 players, with Samvel Ter-Sahakian being the most successful of them. Competing in the 12 age group, he gained 8.5 points out of the possible 11 and shared 1-4 places. By his additional indices, Samvel took 3rd place and won a bronze medal. It is notheworthy that the young chess-player from Vanadzor has recently shown good results at the international competitions. In 2003, he was announced the winner of the European championship in the 10 age group, and later became the vice champion at the 2004 championship. The other members of the Armenian team did not win medals, but by the overall results, Armenia finished among the top ten countries.

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