♟️ About the Organizer

Yaremche Department of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Policy is a municipal authority based in Yaremche, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Ukraine. Its full Ukrainian name is Управління освіти, культури, спорту та молодіжної політики виконавчого комітету Яремчанської міської ради.

The department operates within the executive committee of the Yaremche City Council. It coordinates municipal work in education, culture, sports, and youth development. In addition, it works with schools, extracurricular institutions, sports organizations, cultural centers, and regional associations. Its responsibilities include community programs, sporting events, educational activities, youth initiatives, and public competitions. Ivan Onutchak serves as the head of the department.

🏆 Chess Tournaments and Events

The department supports and organizes chess activities in Yaremche and the surrounding Carpathian communities. Its leading chess event is the Zori Karpat Chess Festival, held in cooperation with the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Chess Federation.

The festival has developed into a significant annual chess competition in western Ukraine. In 2024, its 15th edition attracted 177 players from 21 Ukrainian regions, Kyiv, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The program included classical, rapid, blitz, open, and junior tournaments. Therefore, players of different ages and playing strengths could take part.

In 2026, the department is organizing the 17th Zori Karpat Chess Festival at Mykulychyn Lyceum. The event runs from August 1–9 and includes five separate competitions. These include an open classical tournament, a junior classical tournament, rapid events, and a FIDE-rated blitz tournament. Moreover, the organizers provide prizes for women, juniors, seniors, players with disabilities, local competitors, and several rating categories.

🌱 Education, Sport and Community Development

The department uses chess and other sports to support education, community participation, and youth development. It organizes competitions through municipal schools and educational institutions. It also coordinates local stages of national school sports programs.

Furthermore, the department helps connect municipal activities with regional and national sporting structures. Its cooperation with the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Chess Federation allows local events to follow established competition standards. It also gives young players access to stronger opponents and rated tournaments.

The Zori Karpat festival combines competitive chess with the region’s cultural and tourism environment. As a result, it brings players and families to Yaremche and Mykulychyn while promoting chess across the Ukrainian Carpathians.