Young chess prodigy from Dnipro claims gold at European Championship

Seven-year-old Myron Netrebka from Dnipro won a gold medal at the European Rapid Chess Championship in the Czech Republic, proudly raising the cup as Ukraine's national anthem played.

ShoTam shared the story of Myron's passion for chess.

This victory was significant for the young chess player, who has been playing since he was four years old. Myron's interest in chess began with his uncle and grandfather, who taught him the basics.

"They showed him how the pieces move, and his eyes lit up. From then on, he played every day for a year," says his mother, Kateryna Netrebka.

Since then, chess has become a daily passion for Myron.

When Myron's mother noticed his growing interest in chess, she decided to support him by enrolling him in a local chess club. Myron quickly excelled, not only studying various openings but also creating his own.

He soon began participating in local tournaments and securing his first victories.

Last year, after a less successful performance in Romania, Myron didn't give up. He kept training and, in the spring of 2024, won a bronze medal at the Ukrainian Championship.

But his true triumph came at the European Championship in the Czech Republic, where he finished first among 55 participants, winning seven out of nine matches.

"Either they were yawning, or I just outplayed them, or maybe my openings were unusual," Myron says, sharing his impressions.

His first official chess ranking confirms that this is just the beginning of his journey toward more victories.

Rubryka reminds that in April 2024, 10-year-old Oleksii Nakonechny from Truskavets won the World Rapid Chess Championship in Albania.