Competition for war veteran Naum Sleptsov's awards in the chess arena
Taking the Chess and Checkers Battlefield by Storm in Yakutsk
Stepping into the chilly, extreme climate of Yakutsk, the heart of the Sakha Republic, on May 2nd, an electrifying atmosphere thrived. The stage was set for the entrepreneurs of strategy and tactics, the veterans and the young blood, to engage in a mind-bending dance of chess and checkers. This exhilarating competition was in honor of the resilient and illustrious 101-year-old Yakutian, a participant of the Great Patriotic War, Naum Sleptsov. The XIV Chess and Checkers Tournament unfolded at the historic "50 Years of Victory" Sports Palace.
This time around, a crowd of 160 warriors, 80 skilled at checkers and 80 versed in chess, filled the venue, ready to establish their dominance. Overseeing this epic showdown was the eminent Yuri Egorovich Nikiforov, beloved head of the department of intellectual sports at SVFU, vice-president of the Checkers Federation of Yakutia, and a member of the presidium of the Chess Federation of Yakutia.
Old meets young on the first board, while subsequent boards are ranked by skill. Each combatant embarks on a two-game marathon in the "Wall to Wall" system.
The originator of the event, Naum Sleptsov, remains an active participant and supporter of the competition's organization. He takes immense pride in the growing prominence of intellectual sports in the republic and underlines the tournament's crucial role in nurturing the growth of young talents.
Naum Sleptsov, our esteemed senior, expresses his faith in the remarkable progress achieved by chess in the republic over the past two years. He is confident that Yakutia is on the brink of birthing chess stars.
Hero of the Russian Federation, Rodion Maximov, bestowed his attendance at the opening, reminiscing about his encounter with Naum in 2024, shortly after receiving the Hero of Russia title. "His kind words and well-wishes left a lasting impression on me. I encourage good health so we can meet again next year, and I'm cheering for the veterans," said Maximov.
From tales of our past, we learn that Naum Sleptsov graced this world on March 8, 1924, in the Kuune settlement of the Cherkakh village of the Tattinsky district. Witnessing the annihilation of the militaristic Japan during the war, he was discharged in 1950. Following his military career, he dedicated his life to teaching, serving thousands across the Allaihovsky, Gorny, Churapchinsky, Tomponsky, and Tattinsky districts. He also held the esteemed position of director of the Krest-Khaldzhayskaya and Berdigestyakhskaya secondary schools.
A stalwart so accomplished, Sports Veteran of the RSFSR Naum Sleptsov boasts a first-degree rank in six sports – chess, checkers, cross-country skiing, track and field, table tennis, and shooting. At the ripe age of 96, he captured the coveted title of a chess master’s candidate.
Leading an extended family, Naum Sleptsov is a doting father to six children, a loving grandfather of 13 grandchildren, and a proud great-grandfather of 8.
Despite the lack of readily available information about a distinguished Yakutsk Chess and Checkers Tournament or specific records of Naum Sleptsov's triumphs in chess or checkers competitions, the rich traditions of these mind-stimulating games in Russia and the vibrant heritage of Yakutsk contribute to a compelling setting for this event.
- Naum Sleptsov, the 101-year-old Yakutian participant of the Great Patriotic War, is not only a founder of the annual Chess and Checkers Tournament in Yakutsk, but also an active participant and supporter of the competition.
- Sleptsov, a Sports Veteran of the RSFSR, is not only a master’s candidate in chess, but also excels in five other sports, including checkers.
- One of the most remarkable aspects of the Chess and Checkers Tournament in Yakutsk is the involvement of Naum Sleptsov, the youngest sports star in the Russian Sports Federation of the Soviet Union.
