As much as 28 teams from 26 countries came back to Artek to participate in 6th Children's Olympiad. Strongest teams came from Ukraine, Russia and China, including about a dozen of +2400 players. Ukraine "B" fielded Serhyi Karjakin and Kateryna Lahno at top two boards. Russia and Ukraine were dominating the rest all time long. The Russians won direct match 3-1 and came first. Ukraine easily defeated silver medals while Azerbaijan took bronze after good finish. China and Romania, third and fourth seeds, produced disappointing performance. Timofeev of Russia scored 6½/7 which happened to be the most valuable individual achievement. There is a very good home page for this event (cached) which is heartily recommended to take a look at.

*     *     *

SPEECH OF KIRSAN ILUMZHINOV, FIDE PRESIDENT

On behalf of the leadership of FIDE that unites 160 countries, and on behalf of national chess federations, I greet the participants of the 2000 Children's Chess Olympiad. The meeting of the Presidential Council of FIDE in London voted unanimously for holding the 2000 Children's Chess Olympiad in the International Children's Center "Artek", in this beautiful place, in this kingdom of children. I am also pleased to announce that the Presidential Council of FIDE has decided to count ratings of the 2000 Children's Chess Olympiad. I would like to thank the leadership of the International Children's Center "Artek", its general Director M.M. Sidorenko, and to express gratitude to President of Ukraine L.D. Kuchma, for his patronage and support that he gives to our Olympiad. I wish you success and victories! Perhaps, future world champions are among you. I congratulate you with the beginning of the 2000 Children's Chess Olympiad!

WHAT TEAM COACHES SAY BEFORE THE START

Alexander Serikov, Honored Coach of Ukraine:
Compared to the last year's team, our team is a bit weaker. More than half of the team's players have been replaced. The Russian teams are very strong, so are teams of China and Georgia. Struggle for the first place will be very hard. Children sometimes play like adults. They are serious competitors.

Georgy Macharashvili, Honored Coach of Georgia:
The Olympiad in "Artek" coincides with the World Championship for individuals under 20 in Yerevan, that is why the strongest chess players couldn't come to Artek. It is difficult to say now how we'll be playing. Our strongest competitors will be from Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Israel, and China. These countries' teams will be struggling for the first place. This tournament is a serious step in each players chess career. Artek is an ideal place for a children's tournament. There aren't such organization and conditions anywhere else.

Wang Junnan, Coach of the Chinese team:
Our team is new. The players are not sufficiently experienced, their ratings are lower than those of our last year's team. I'm afraid we can't hope to get a high place. We don't have many chances. Artek is a wonderful place. I greatly enjoy staying here. I was deeply moved by the opening ceremony. It was an impressive show. The reception is organized wonderfully. From the moment we stepped on the Ukrainian land, we have been surrounded by attention and haven't wasted a minute of our time. I wish all the participants to disclose their creative potential to the greatest extent.