♟️ About the Organizer

IA/IO Sergii Larkin is a Ukrainian chess organizer and international arbiter. FIDE awarded him the FIDE Arbiter title in 2018, the International Arbiter title in 2020, and the International Organizer title in 2021. His official FIDE profile lists him under the Ukrainian federation with FIDE ID 14175630.

Sergii Larkin combines tournament organization with arbitration and technical tournament administration. His confirmed work includes standard, rapid, and blitz events, as well as round-robin tournaments created for players seeking Grandmaster and International Master norms.

His current organizing activity centers on the Young Talents GM and IM tournament series in the Stockholm area. He works on this project with IA/IM Vladimir Poley. FIDE records list Larkin as an organizer, chief organizer, chief arbiter, or tournament arbiter across different editions of the series.

🏆 Chess Events and Activities

Sergii Larkin co-organizes the Hotel Stockholm North by First Hotels Young Talents tournaments in Upplands Väsby, Sweden. The series offers separate GM and IM competitions and gives qualified players an opportunity to compete for international title norms.

The May 2026 program included the ninth GM tournament and seventh IM tournament in the series. Both events took place from May 18 to 23, 2026. The Stockholm Chess Federation published Sergii Larkin as one of the two direct contacts for player participation.

The series continues with additional GM and IM tournaments during 2026. Current listings include events from August 11 to 16 and from October 26 to 31. The tournaments use classical time controls and international rating calculation. Published listings identify Larkin as organizer and chief arbiter for several editions.

His earlier confirmed organizing work includes the Mykolaiv 2021 IM tournament in Ukraine. FIDE lists him as both chief organizer and chief arbiter of that round-robin event. This record predates his current work with the Stockholm Young Talents series.

🌍 International Arbitration and Tournament Support

In addition to organizing tournaments, Sergii Larkin works as an arbiter at international chess events. FIDE records confirm his involvement in competitions held in several European countries.

He served as chief arbiter at a section of the 2025 International Children and Youth Chess Festival “The Baltic Way” in Riga. He also worked as deputy chief arbiter at the 2025 Sunway Sitges International Chess Festival in Spain.

His responsibilities at the Young Talents series include tournament administration and arbitration. Chess-Results records also show that he maintains and updates the tournament listings, player information, schedules, and results for current editions.

Through his work as an International Organizer and International Arbiter, Sergii Larkin supports both the administrative and technical delivery of rated chess competitions. His confirmed activity includes norm tournaments, international opens, youth events, and classical competitions in Ukraine, Sweden, Latvia, Spain, and other European locations.

♟️ About the Organizer

IA/IM Vladimir Poley is a Stockholm-based chess organizer, International Master, International Arbiter, trainer, and chess teacher. FIDE awarded him the International Master title in 1996. His FIDE record also lists the FIDE Arbiter title from 2016 and the International Arbiter title from 2019. It additionally records the FIDE Trainer title from 2011 and Lead School Instructor qualification from 2021.

Vladimir Poley combines tournament organization with chess education and competitive play. He founded and chairs the Stockholm chess club SS 4 Springare. The club organizes junior competitions, training groups, school chess activities, chess camps, and other events for young players. Its official board page lists him as chair, while its current schedule identifies him as one of the club’s active chess teachers.

His professional background also includes chess administration in Belarus. His official biography states that he served as president of the Belarus Chess Federation from 1996 to 2001. After moving to Sweden, he continued his work as a coach, club leader, organizer, and chess educator. His current projects operate through Poleychess, Chess in School, and SS 4 Springare.

🏆 Chess Events and Activities

Vladimir Poley organizes the Young Talents series of GM and IM norm tournaments in the Stockholm area. The project creates round-robin competitions where qualified players can compete for International Master and Grandmaster norms. FIDE introduced the initiative as part of the Schackelit Sverige project, developed by Vladimir Poley and Saida Trost with support from Swedish chess clubs.

The tournaments take place at Hotel Stockholm North by First Hotels in Upplands Väsby. Current 2026 listings include GM and IM events in January, March, May, August, and October. Vladimir Poley works on the series with IA and International Organizer Sergii Larkin. Tournament records list Poley as organizer, tournament contact, and arbiter for several editions.

The May 2026 program included separate GM and IM tournaments with nine rounds. The Stockholm Chess Federation published Vladimir Poley as the main Swedish contact for player participation. Players can contact him directly regarding entry conditions, availability, and future editions of the norm-tournament series.

He also organizes junior events through SS 4 Springare. The SS 4 Springare Junior Grand Prix 2026 offered separate classes based on age and experience. The program included competitive rapid sections and beginner groups. FIDE lists Vladimir Poley as chief arbiter for the rated section, while the official invitation names him as the event contact.

🌍 Chess Training and Youth Development

Chess education forms a central part of Vladimir Poley’s work. His Chess in School program offers instruction for beginners, school pupils, competitive players, and adults. The available programs include Chess for Beginners, Chess for School, Chess Pro, and Chess for Business.

Through SS 4 Springare, he teaches chess at schools and training locations across the Stockholm region. The club schedule includes beginner, advanced, elite, and girls’ groups. It also connects school-based instruction with club activity and tournament participation.

His training work gives young players a route from introductory lessons to competitive chess. Students can join regular classes, play in junior events, and progress toward stronger national and international competitions. His current tournament projects also provide ambitious players with access to norm-level competition in Sweden.