A teenager who recently moved from Ukraine to Macclesfield, has shined in a chess tournament.

Tytherington 17-year-old Artem Lutsko has qualified for a national contest in the sport.

Arthem, who goes to Tytherington School, will compete in a national competition this autumn.

Artem Lutsko's outstanding performance at The Delancey Chess Challenge Northern Gigafinal U18 has secured him a spot in the upcoming Delancey UK Chess Challenge Terafinal, which will take place on the weekend of October 14 and 15.

In a remarkable coincidence, the Maxonian will head to Oxfordshire for the October's contest, at Blenheim Palace. (Image - CC 4.0 Dreilly95 Unchanged https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blenheim-Palace.jpg)

The Delancey UK Chess Challenge Terafinal gathers the country's leading young chess players to Blenheim Palace.

There are just 60 participants in total, consisting of 12 players from each age category, meaning Artem will compete with 11 other players.

This fiercely competitive event follows an "All Play All" format across 11 rounds and is widely regarded as the strongest junior chess event in the UK calendar.

An international master from Ukraine, Artem easily swept to victory at the Northern Gigafinal to secure his place at the Terafinal.

The flag of Ukraine flies outside Macclesfield Town Hall. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"We are incredibly proud of Artem Lutsko remarkable achievement at the Northern Gigafinal U18," said Sarah Longson, the tournament CEO. "His skill, focus, and determination has positioned him as a formidable competitor, and we have no doubt that he will continue to shine."

The Delancey UK Chess Challenge has experienced tremendous growth in 2023, with participation numbers returning to pre-COVID levels. This year's edition has attracted not only new players at the school level but also some of the most talented young chess players from across the country.

The upcoming Terafinal at Blenheim Palace promises to be a nail-biting event, featuring renowned competitors such as Bodhana Sivandanadan, the recent World Schools' Championship winner, as well as international master Maksym Kryshtafor from Ukraine.

The Founder and Chairman of Delancey, Jamie Ritblat said, "We are once again delighted to be headline sponsors of the tournament. It is great to hear that the competition has returned to pre-pandemic levels of participation, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the game. We wish all participants the very best of luck."

Arthem, who is one of five Tytherington School pupils to have enrolled at the school on Manchester Road since February 2022, will compete in the national competition this autumn. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"We are thrilled to witness the growing interest and talent in chess across the UK," added Malcolm Pein, International Master, chess organiser, and journalist.

"The Delancey UK Chess Challenge provides a platform for aspiring chess players to showcase their skills, gain valuable experience, and connect with like-minded young people. The Terafinal at Blenheim Palace will be a testament to the immense talent and dedication of these young players."

As the championship approaches its grand finale, there are three remaining opportunities for participants to secure their places at Blenheim Palace: the Southern Gigafinal, the Online Gigafinal, and the Challengers event. Notable players to watch include Kenneth Hobson and Rock Yu, who narrowly secured their spots through playoff matches, adding to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the championship.

In a final statement sent to Macclesfield Nub News, competition organisers said: "The Delancey Chess Challenge, a prestigious chess tournament attracting young players from all over the United Kingdom, is proud to highlight the remarkable achievement of Artem Lutsko, a promising talent from Tytherington, originally Ukraine."

(Image - CC 3.0 MichaelMaggs Unchanged https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Opening_chess_position_from_black_side.jpg)

Tytherington School Headteacher Emmanuel Botwe said: "We are absolutely delighted to see how well Artem is doing.

"Chess has recently become very popular at Tytherington School and Artem has played a key role in this.

"He is a great chess role model and he offers advice to students on how to improve their game.

"We are very lucky to have him in our Sixth Form. We wish him all the best in the National Finals!"

See Also: Ex-Tytherington pupil bags regional award

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