by Tiberiu Georgescu (originally appeared in ChessBase)
Introduction
The inaugural KCF European Trainers Conference, hosted and sponsored by the esteemed Kasparov Chess Foundation, in collaboration with the European Chess Union Trainers Commission, the Kasparov Chess Foundation Adriatic and the European Chess Academy, kicked off with great enthusiasm. The event brought together around 150 trainers from more than 25 countries across four continents, and took place at the prestigious Westin Hotel in Zagreb, the same venue as the Grand Chess Tour’s third stage — the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz.
The moderator, Grandmaster Cristian Chirilă, a trainer himself and director of the program at the Missouri State University, USA, set the stage for an engaging and insightful conference, introducing a lineup of distinguished speakers who are renowned in the world of chess coaching and organization.
Speakers:
- Michael Khodarkovsky – Training the young players
- Ivan Sokolov – Training the professionals
- Adrian Mikhalchishin – Women in Chess
Keynote speaker:
- Garry Kasparov – Trainers’ role in modern times
Honoring the Kasparov Chess Foundation’s Legacy
Commencing the conference, the attendees celebrated the 21st anniversary of the remarkable Kasparov Chess Foundation, which has played a pivotal role in discovering and nurturing exceptional chess talent.
The first speaker: Michael Khodarkovsky
From left to right: Cristian Chirilă, Ivan Sokolov, Adrian Michalchishin, Michael Khodarkovsky
As the morning session unfolded, the stage welcomed Mr. Michael Khodarkovsky, a highly accomplished chess coach, writer, and organizer. Khodarkovsky’s impressive achievements include serving as coach of the US Youth World Team from 2005 to 2017, the head coach and captain of the US Olympiad Women’s team from 2003 to 2013, contributing to their historic medal victories in 2004 and 2008 respectively. He has been an integral part of Garry Kasparov’s coaching staff during the 1995 and 2000 World Championship matches, as well as the legendary encounters against IBM’s Deep Blue in 1996 and 1997. Currently, as FIDE Vice President, FIDE Senior Trainer, and President of the Kasparov Chess Foundation, Khodarkovsky commands immense respect and admiration within the world’s chess community.
Michael Khodarkovsky delivered a compelling presentation that offered valuable insights into building a robust multi-level organization and fostering healthy growth. With a focus on the journey of their organization to the top of the chess world, Khodarkovsky shared his experiences, highlighting how they overcame key challenges and achieved success. Notably, he emphasized the personal connections formed with students, particularly those from the Foundation’s Young Stars program, showcasing the deep bond that goes beyond their chess achievements. Additionally, he provided insights into their student selection process and discussed the objectives and approach they employ to assist young players.
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