The Porto Palace Hotel was buzzing from 5–8 August 2025 as it hosted the European Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship and the accompanying European Youth Problem Solving Championship. With over 450 players from 36 countries, it was a four-day celebration of speed, skill, and sharp thinking.
Cyprus was proudly represented by two determined juniors – CM Rafail Antoniou and Stylianos Kyriakides – who both took on some of Europe’s best young talents.
♟ Rapid Battles: Nerves and Precision
In Rapid chess, where each player must balance quick decision-making with accuracy, every move counts.
- CM Rafail Antoniou (U18 Open) – Scored 5/9, holding his own against top-seeded opponents. His games were marked by solid opening preparation and calm endgame handling.
- Stylianos Kyriakides (U10 Open) – Scored 3/9, gaining valuable experience against stronger players and showing flashes of tactical creativity.
⚡ Blitz: When Instinct Takes Over
The Blitz section was pure adrenaline – just 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move. Here, calculation speed and pattern recognition decide everything.
- Antoniou impressed with 10 points over 18 rounds, mixing sharp attacks with resourceful defenses.
- Kyriakides secured 8 points, proving that he could keep up with the pace and punish opponents’ blunders.
🧠 The Problem Solving Championship – A Different Kind of Chess
On the sidelines, the European Youth Problem Solving Championship challenged participants to find precise solutions to composed chess puzzles. Unlike over-the-board games, solvers face idealised positions that demand creativity, calculation, and absolute accuracy.
While no Cypriot medals were claimed this year, participation in this event is invaluable – it develops calculation depth, foresight, and the patience to search for the one “perfect” move. Many grandmasters credit problem solving as a secret weapon in sharpening their tournament play.
🔗 Full event details and results: European Chess Union | Chess-Results
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