Top chess players crowned at the Karpov Cup at St Petersburg University

This year’s tournament featured two stages: an initial online qualification round and an in-person final to determine the top players. The final stage was held in the iconic corridor of the Twelve Collegia building, where competitors engaged in nine rounds with a time control of five minutes per game, plus a three-second increment per move. The Karpov Cup was organised by the Baltic Eagles student sports club at St Petersburg University.

One of St Petersburg University’s most iconic landmarks, the corridor of the Twelve Collegia building, is known as the longest university corridor in the world, stretching nearly 270 metres.

International Master Artem Zubritskii, the chief arbiter of the tournament, extended a warm welcome to the participants. He noted that the Anatoly Karpov Tournament was being held at St Petersburg University for the fourth time and had become a traditional competition where the University’s strongest chess players come together.

The event attracted many skilled chess players, each vying for victory. The competition on the chessboards was intense and uncompromising, with the tournament leaders changing several times from the fourth round onwards. However, before the final game, the race for first place was already decided. Roman Surikov, a Candidate for Master of Sports in Chess, doctoral student, and employee of the Marketing and Media Communication Department at St Petersburg University, secured several consecutive victories against his closest rivals. After eight rounds, he was one and a half points ahead of the competition. A draw in the final round confirmed his victory, with a total score of 7.5 points out of a possible 9, making him the winner of the Karpov Cup.

"Holding a chess tournament in the Twelve Collegia building is symbolic. The architecture combined with the game of chess created an incredible atmosphere that inspired participants to play at their best," shared the tournament winner.

Anatoly Karpov, the 12^th World Chess Champion, statesman, and politician, graduated from Leningrad State University (now St Petersburg University) with a degree in political economy in 1978, already holding the title of world champion. In 2001, he was awarded the title of Honorary Professor of St Petersburg University.

The tournament’s other prizes were shared among six players. Lev Rezvyi, a third-year student in geography, played exceptionally well in the final round, securing a victory that earned him a clear second place. Three contestants ended their games in a draw, resulting in a tie with six points each. Based on additional criteria, the bronze prize was awarded to Mikhail Pavlov, a fourth-year law student.

Special prizes were also awarded in various categories. Anastasiia Mamontova, a 2021 graduate of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University, received the first prize among women. Rostislav Keller, a third-year student in the Petroleum Engineering programme, secured first place among students, while the best first-year student was Kirill Shoshin from the Graduate School of Management. Dmitrii Tomberg, a 2009 graduate in physics, was recognised as the winner in the Alumni category.