On November 10, 2024, one of the most significant events in Dice Chess, the Latvian Dice Chess Championship, took place in Riga, at the Park Inn Valdemāra by Radisson hotel on the banks of the Daugava River. This was the third such competition, with the first championship organized in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the second championship was held three years later, in 2023.
The championship was organized by the public organization “Dice Chess Federation.” This time, it became an international tournament, as participants from six countries—Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Turkey, India, and Poland—joined the event, bringing the total number of players to 72.
Among the participants were titled chess players: a Candidate Master (CM), a Women’s International Master (WIM), and an International Grandmaster (GM). Notably, the event also welcomed players with no prior chess experience, demonstrating that Dice Chess is suitable for all ages and skill levels—from preschoolers to seniors.
Unfortunately, last year’s champion, Robert Hops, could not maintain his spot on the podium. Every participant fought fiercely to the end, and the tension persisted until the final game. Only in the very last round were the winners decided. Four players scored the same number of points, and their rankings were determined by tiebreaks. The champion was Alexander Briker with 13 points, his tiebreak scores narrowly surpassing those of the silver medalist. Dmitry Gavrilov (13 points) secured second place, while the bronze medal went to Vsevolod Shadilov (13 points). Maksim Ivanishvili, also with 13 points, placed fourth.
In the women’s category, which included 18 players, Larisa Gordievich claimed the 2024 Dice Chess championship title with 12 points. Anna Kantane took second place with 11 points, and Anastasia Parkhomenko earned third place with the same score.
The veterans’ category was highly competitive this year, with 13 participants. Oleg Makovenko led confidently with 12 points, earning the title of the best veteran of the third Dice Chess championship. Second and third places were determined by a narrow tiebreak margin of 2 points. Anatoly Alippov from Latvia took second place with 10 points, while Yegor Chemisov (10 points) secured third.
The junior category also witnessed fierce competition, and several awards were distributed. The best juniors of the third Latvian Dice Chess Championship were David Beniosev (11 points), Luis Kantans (11 points), Dmitry Lisovsky (11 points), Alexander Azev (11 points), and Edwards Goldbergs (10 points).
All Winners of the 3rd Latvian Dice Chess Championship:
Main Prizes:
1st Place — Alexander Briker (13 points)
2nd Place — Dmitry Gavrilov (13 points)
3rd Place — Vsevolod Shadilov (13 points)
4th Place — Maksim Ivanishvili (13 points)
5th Place — Andrey Mikhailov (12 points)
6th Place — Ivo Saksis (12 points)
7th Place — Lauris Laiminsh (11 points)
8th Place — Emils Tabors (11 points)
Women Prizes:
1st Place — Larisa Gordievich (12 points)
2nd Place — Anna Kantane (11 points)
3rd Place — Anastasia Parkhomenko (11 points)
S50/S65 (veterans):
1st Place — Oleg Makovenko (12 points)
2nd Place — Anatoly Alippov (10 points)
3rd Place — Yegor Chemisov (10 points)
U-18:
1st Place — David Beniosev (11 points)
2nd Place — Luis Kantans (11 points)
3rd Place — Dmitry Lisovsky (11 points)
4th Place — Alexander Azev (11 points)
5th Place — Edwards Goldbergs (10 points)
Special Prizes from Mifan School:
– Certificate for a Chinese Language Lesson — Hugo Georgs Gauja
– Certificate for a Chess Lesson — Viktoria Amina Zalite
Special Prizes from Brain Games:
9th Place — Dmitry Pogrebnoy (11 points)
10th Place — Toms Kantans (11 points)
11th Place — Ekabs Kantans (10 points)
Surprise Prizes from Dabas Pērles:
– Sandra Harlinska
– Agapi Ter-Avetisyan
– Stefania Dambrovska
– Lusine Khurshudyan
– Dita Kukula
– Diana Danilina
Surprise Prize: Nikita Eparov
Youngest Participant: Pavel Shershnev (born in 2016)
Youngest Female Participant: Amelia Firksere (born in 2017)
The Dice Chess Federation would like to express its immense gratitude to our sponsors and partners: the Latvian Chess Federation, Riga Chess Club, San Pellegrino, Brain Games, Dabas Pērles, Mifan School—without whom this event would not have been as vibrant and unforgettable.
Thank you to every participant, supporter, and fan! The third Latvian Dice Chess Championship was a wonderful and successful event. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
More fun together! 😊
