Sozonov Award for 2022

Award named after Evgeniy Sozonov is a private national annual award. It was established by Olena Boytsun in 2013 with the aim of supporting talented children aged between 10 to 16 years old, who show good results in both chess and school studies. Since 2019, the Sozonov Award is issued in two age categories: from 10 to 13 years (inclusive) and from 14 to 16 years (inclusive).

For 2022, the Award was presented for the eighth time. Applications for participation in the competition for the Sozonov Award were accepted from January 10, 2023 to February 6, 2023, the results were announced on February 13, 2023.

29 applications were received for participation in the competition, 22 of them in the age category of 10-13 years, 7 in the age category of 14-16 years. Boys make up 72% of participants, while girls – 28%.

The participants represented different regions of Ukraine:

In order to support the motivation of children for personal development during difficult war times and encourage them to further uncover their own potential, the founder of the Sozonov Award Olena Boytsun decided to increase the number of winners and runners-up in each age category. For 2022, the Award was awarded to two co-winners in the age category from 10 to 13 years (16,000 hryvnias each) and two co-winners in the age category from 14 to 16 years (16,000 hryvnias each). In each age category, five runners-up were also determined, the amount of the prize for the runners-up was 3000 hryvnias each.

On February 18, 2024, an event was organized for the 2022 winners and prize-winners for 2022. The founder of the Sozonov Award Olena Boytsun conducted interviews with the young chess players to get to know their dreams and aspiratiions.

The results of the 2022 Sozonov Award competition

Age category from 10 to 13 years

Co-winners

Hnatyshyn Anastasiia (Lviv)

Samunenkov Ihor (Kyiv)

Anastasiia Hnatyshyn

(Lviv, age at the time of receiving the award: 12 years, FM)
Trainer: Grabinsky V.

Anastasiia Hnatyshyn is a student of the 7th grade of the democratic school “Alterra School”, she studies online, her favourite subjects are mathematics and geography. The girl repeatedly took part in various competitions for schoolchildren, such as “Kangaroo”, “Olympis”, etc. Anastasiia has been engaged in chess for 6 years. At the moment, she is training at the Children and Youth Sports School “Debut” (Lviv) with coach Volodymyr Grabinsky. She holds the titles of Women’s Master of Sports of Ukraine and FIDE Master. In 2022, Anastasiia won the World Championship in rapid and blitz among girls under 12 and the European Championship in rapid and blitz among girls under 14, took 2nd place among girls under 18 at the Championship of Ukraine. In previous years, the chess player has repeatedly become a prize-winner of European championships in her age category, etc. To date, Anastasia is one of the hundred best junior girls according to the FIDE world ranking. The girl is fond of cooking and takes an active part in the events of the Ukrainian scout organisation “Plast”.

“

Dear organisers of the Sozonov Award, I want to express our gratitude for this wonderful initiative to support talented children in Ukraine. Receiving the Award is an important event for Anastasia, which motivates her to further success in chess competitions and studies.

We believe that this award will help our child to develop and reach new heights. Such prizes contribute to increasing interest in chess among children and help to develop intellectual skills and achieve success.

Again, thank you for your work and support!

“

Hnatyshyn Yurii

father of Anastasiia Hnatyshyn

Ihor Samunenkov

(Kyiv, age at the time of receiving the award: 13 years, IM)
Trainers: Baklan V., Punin A., Bykovskiy O.

Ihor Samunenkov studies externally in the 7th grade of Specialized School No. 24 named after O. Bilash with in-depth study of foreign languages, his favourite subjects are English and mathematics. He has been playing chess for 7 years, currently he is training individually with the trainers Baklan Volodymyr, Punin Andrii and Bykovskiy Oleg. He has the title of Master of Sports of Ukraine and International Master, and has fulfilled one norm for the title of International Grandmaster. Ihor is the winner and runner-up of a number of international and national tournaments, he is one of the hundred strongest junior chess players in the world according to the FIDE rating. In addition to chess, Ihor is fond of playing table tennis, basketball and football. Ihor was also the winner of the Sozonov Award for 2020.

“

For the second time, my son, Ihor Samunenkov, became the winner of the Sozonov Award of the Chess for Children Foundation for 2022. I want to thank the organisers that at such a time, you pay attention to children. This is a motivation and an example for young chess players!! Our children will have a bright future, in which they will glorify our Ukraine! I wish the Foundation only prosperity!

“

Natalia Samunenkova

mother of Ihor Samunenkov

Runners-up (10-13 years)

  • Babayev Murad (Poltava)
  • Korolchuk Vladyslava (Krasyliv, Khmelnytskyi region)
  • Lemeshenko Mikhailo (Sumy)
  • Petrenko Maryna (Berezivka village, Zhytomyr Region)
  • Piddubna Bozhena (Kyiv)

Бабаєв Мурад

Murad Babayev

(Poltava, age at the time of receiving the award: 12 years, CM)
Trainer: Ryabenko Yu.

Murad Babayev studies in the 6th grade of the Poltava secondary school I-III degrees No. 38, his favourite subject at school is mathematics. He takes part in student competitions, was the winner of the All-Ukrainian competition “Word to Word” from the project “To the lesson” in 2018. Murad learned chess at the age of 5, for three years he has been visiting the chess club of the Children and Youth Sports School “Olympus” in Poltava, where he trains with coach Ryabenko Yurii. Murad has the title of Candidate for Master of Sports of Ukraine and he is a multiple winner and prize-winner of the open championships of the city of Poltava and the Poltava region.

Корольчук Владислава

Vladyslava Korolchuk

(Krasyliv, Khmelnytskyi region, age at the time of receiving the award: 13 years, 1st rank in chess according to the Ukrainian system)
Trainer: Makarchuk M.

Vladyslava Korolchuk studies in the 7th grade of Krasylivska secondary school No. 3, her favourite subject at school is algebra, in 2022 she won the school chemistry Olympiad. Vladislava has been engaged in chess for 6 years in the chess club of the the House of Creativity of Children and Youth of the Krasyliv City Council with coach Makarchuk Maxym. The girl has 1st chess rank and was the winner and prize-winner in chess tournaments both in Ukraine and abroad, in particular, she took 3rd place in the World Rapid Chess Championship in the category of up to 12 years old among girls in 2022. In her free time, Vladislava is engaged in knitting, beading and additionally attends classes in English and mathematics.

Лемешенко Михайло

Mikhailo Lemeshenko

(Sumy, age at the time of receiving the award: 12 years, CM)
Trainer: Lemeshenko Y.

Mikhailo Lemeshenko is studying in the 6th grade of the Sumy Secondary School of I-III degrees No. 18, his favourite subject at school is visual arts. Participates in various student competitions and has awards for high academic achievements. Mykhailo started playing chess at the age of 7, he trains at home with his father Yurii Lemeshenko. Mykhailo holds the title of Candidate for Master of Sports of Ukraine, has repeatedly been the winner and prize-winner of tournaments in the Sumy region. The guy is actively involved in sports and attends the track and field section.

Петренко Марина

Maryna Petrenko

(Berezivka village, Zhytomyr region, age at the time of receiving the award: 14 years, CM)
Trainer: Dumansky Y.

Maryna Petrenko studies in the 8th grade of the Zhytomyr City Lyceum No. 25, her favourite subjects are algebra, computer science, physics, history of Ukraine. Marina has been playing chess for 8 years at the Children and Youth Sports School No. 2 in Zhytomyr with coach Dumansky Yaroslav. She has the title of Candidate for Master of Sports of Ukraine. In 2022, she took 2nd place in the category of participants of girls under 14 years old of the European Championship in Rapid and Blitz, repeatedly became the winner and runner-up of children’s championships in Ukraine. Maryna is interested in studying applied mathematics and programming in C#.

Піддубна Божена

Bozhena Piddubna

(Kyiv, age at the time of receiving the award: 13 years, 1st rank in chess according to the Ukrainian system)
Trainer: Baklan V.

Bozhena Piddubna studies in the 8th grade of the Dominanta Higher Secondary School (Kyiv), her favourite subjects are geography and biology, she was awarded a diploma for personal achievements in Ukrainian literature. Bozhena has been playing chess for 5 years. She currently attends the “Kyiv Chestnut” chess club and trains with Baklan Volodymyr. The girl has the first rank in chess (according to the Ukrainian system), was the winner and prize-winner of children’s chess competitions, in particular, the championship of Ukraine among girls under 12 years old in 2021, the prize-winner of the European Championship for solving chess compositions in 2021. Bozhena is engaged in drawing and weaving from beads, and is also learning Spanish on her own.

Age category from 14 to 16 years

Co-winners

Palchuk Andrii (Kyiv)

Prokofiev Valentyn (Kalush, Ivano-Frankivsk region)

Пальчук Андрій

Andrii Palchuk

(Kyiv, age at the time of receiving the award: 16 years, FM)
Trainer: Semenov D.

Andrii Palchuk studies at two educational institutions in the graduating classes of the Atmospheric School (online) and at Mattlidens gymnasium Helsinki. His favourite subjects are mathematics and history, he received a school award for the best results in mathematics according to the results of 2022. Andrii has been playing chess for 10 years, and is currently training with Dmytro Semenov at the “Chess School”. He has the title of Master of Sports of Ukraine and Master FIDE, and has two norms of International Master. Andrii is a multiple winner and prize-winner of international and all-Ukrainian tournaments, was the Champion of Ukraine and Kyiv in his age category, etc. He enjoys swimming and reads a lot, including historical books in English.

“

Our family is very grateful to Olena Boytsun and the UCF “Chess for Children” for the opportunity to participate in such wonderful competitions. Of course, for a child who is passionate about chess and studies hard in school, trying to develop his skills and become better, winning such a large amount of money is very important. It encourages them to try even harder, to reach new heights. I know that my son loves his country and his native city of Kyiv very much, strives for its prosperity and development, as do many other such talented and capable Ukrainian children. It is very important for children to receive support not only from foreign, but also from their native charitable foundations. Contribution to education is probably the most important contribution to the prosperity of the country. This is a great initiative. We wish the Chess for Children Foundation continued prosperity and the growing number of children in further competitions for receiving the Sozonov Award.

“

Olena Palchuk

mother of Andrii Palchuk

Прокоф’єв Валентин

Valentyn Prokofiev

(Kalush, Ivano-Frankivsk region, age at the time of receiving the award: 16 years, FM)
Trainer: Grinev V.

Valentyn Prokofiev studies in the 11th grade of the private distance education institution “Atmospherna Shkola”, his favourite subject is geography. Valentyn is a multiple prize-winner of student Olympiads in geography and chemistry. He has been playing chess for 11 years, and is currently training with Valery Grinev. Valentyn holds the title of Master of Sports of Ukraine and FIDE Master. He became the European blitz champion among boys under 16 in 2022, repeatedly became a prize-winner and winner of Ukrainian championships in various age categories. Valentyn helps in the organisation of local and online tournaments, gives lectures and simultaneous game sessions to students of chess clubs in different cities. In addition to chess, he is engaged in table tennis, enjoys billiards and bowling, and plays football.

“

Being awarded a national award is an additional motivation for a child to develop in all aspects, to become an educated, harmonious person, and not just a skillful chess player. Your award helps to overcome the widespread stereotype in society that success in sports can only be achieved by sacrificing other aspects of life and harmonious development.

“

Lyudmila Prokofieva

mother of Valentin Prokofiev

Runners-up (14-16 years)

  • Bondar Daria (Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi region)
  • Hulka Valentyn (Chortkiv, Ternopil region)
  • Dehtiarov Roman (Kharkiv)
  • Strelkin Vladyslav (Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Region)
  • Sharova Elyzaveta (Kharkiv)

Бондар Дар’я

Daria Bondar

(Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi region, age at the time of receiving the award: 15 years, CM)
Trainer: Bosak V.

Daria Bondar studies in the 10th grade of the Kamianets-Podilskyi Lyceum, her favourite subject is mathematics. The girl participated and became a prize-winner in various student and creative competitions. She has been playing chess since 2013, training individually with Viktor Bosak. Daria has the title of Candidate for Master of Sports of Ukraine in chess. She repeatedly became the winner and prize-winner of regional and all-Ukrainian championships, in particular, she became the champion of Ukraine among girls under 18 (classical game) in 2021. She is fond of drawing.

Hulka Valentyn

(Chortkiv, Ternopil region, age at the time of application: 16 years, CM)
Trainer: Baklan V.

Valentyn Hulka is a second-year student at the Chortkiv Vocational College of Economics and Entrepreneurship. He has been playing chess for 6.5 years and is currently training with Volodymyr Baklan. He has the title of Candidate Master of Sports of Ukraine and Candidate Master FIDE. Valentyn was repeatedly the winner and prize-winner of children’s international and national tournaments. He is fond of reading chess literature, orders chess manuals and magazines from different parts of the world.

“

We sincerely thank the founder of the Sozonov Award, Olena Boytsun, for her ability to preserve the bright memory of her dear grandfather and to teach this to young chess players! And also – the annual Sozonov Award is a cool motivation for the young generation of intellectuals!

“

Hulka Iryna

mother of Hulka Valentyn

Дегтярьов Роман

Roman Dehtiarov

(Kharkiv, age at the time of receiving the award: 14 years, FM)
Trainer: Farafonov Y.

Roman Dehtiarov studies in the 10th grade of the “Merefyan Lyceum No. 3” of the Merefyan City Council of the Kharkiv Region, his favourite subjects are algebra and world history. He has been playing chess for 8 years, attends the “Pishak” club (Kharkov) and trains with Yurii Farafonov. He has the title of Candidate Master of Sports of Ukraine and Master FIDE, in 2022 Roman became the Champion of Ukraine in chess under 18 (classical chess). Roman is fond of the theatre and likes to attend theatre productions.

Стрелкін Владислав

Vladyslav Strelkin

(Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region, age at the time of receiving the award: 15 years, 1st rank in chess according to the Ukrainian system)
Trainer: Bendersky V.

Vladyslav Strelkin studies in the 9th grade of the Nikopol Lyceum No. 8 of the Nikopol City Council, his favourite subjects are algebra and geometry. He has been playing chess for 10 years, currently attends the Children and Youth Sports School of the Chervonogrihoriv settlement council and trains with Valerii Bendersky. He has the 1st rank in chess (according to the Ukrainian system). The boy is a prize-winner of many chess tournaments in the city of Nikopol and the Dnipropetrovsk region. In addition to chess, Vladyslav plays football for a long time.

Шарова Єлізавета

Elyzaveta Sharova

(Kharkiv, age at the time of receiving the award: 14 years, 1st rank in chess according to the Ukrainian system)
Trainer: Mykhailichenko V.

Elyzaveta Sharova studies in the 8th grade of Kharkiv Lyceum No. 107, her favourite subjects are Ukrainian literature, computer science, biology and geometry. The girl is a winner and prize-winner in various student competitions and subject olympiads, in particular in Ukrainian literature. She has been playing chess for 6 years, and is currently training at the base of the Children and Youth Sports School No. 4 (ShK “Pishak”) with Mykhailichenko Volodymyr. Elyzaveta has the 1st category in chess (according to the Ukrainian system) and is the winner and prize-winner of chess tournaments in the city of Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region.