Tragic Loss: Russian Artillery Attack Destroys Historic Chess School in Kherson
Historic Chess School in Kherson Reduced to Ashes in Russian Artillery Attack
Kherson, Ukraine — In a devastating blow to the cultural and intellectual fabric of Kherson, a Russian artillery attack on Saturday, July 25, obliterated the 121-year-old building that housed the Children’s and Youth Sports School for Chess and Checkers. The assault not only destroyed the structure but also consumed a library of over 5,000 chess books, a treasure trove of knowledge that had been cultivated over generations.
Local authorities reported that the historic building caught fire amid a broader bombardment of residential areas in Kherson. The flames left little more than charred walls where countless young minds once honed their skills in the strategic game of chess. Vitaly Bogdanov, President of the Kherson Oblast Chess Federation, described the scene as “a black night for Kherson sports and our history.”
“I saw with my own eyes the scale of the disaster—total destruction,” he lamented. “All that remains of the historic building where generations of talented children were raised are charred walls.”
The attack claimed the life of a 47-year-old man and injured seven others, two of them seriously, according to Kherson Regional Police. The destruction of the chess school, a cornerstone of the local community, has left many in shock and mourning.
Bogdanov, who has led the regional chess federation since 2005, emphasized the profound loss of not just the building but also the invaluable educational resources it contained. “The enemy did not just burn walls—they tried to destroy our knowledge and our chess heritage,” he said.
Before the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Kherson hosted around 100 chess tournaments annually, including national championships. The school served as a vibrant hub for both children and adults, fostering a love for chess that transcended generations. However, since the war began, many students and coaches have fled, and tournaments have dwindled, often taking place in makeshift underground locations to avoid the daily shelling.
Despite the grim circumstances, some chess activities have continued online, and children have gathered to play in secret. The school has produced several top Ukrainian players, including GM Natalia Zhukova, who expressed her heartbreak on social media, stating, “This is my chess house in Kherson, where I grew up 💔 And someone is talking about equal conditions for athletes.”
The attack has drawn condemnation from prominent figures in the chess community, including Garry Kasparov, who called it a “typical Russian target.” Jan Henric Buettner, a candidate in the upcoming FIDE election, echoed this sentiment, stating, “No chess player, no child, and no civilian should have to fear for their safety simply because they gathered around a chessboard.”
While the building may be gone, Bogdanov remains hopeful for the future of Kherson’s chess community. “I believe we will rebuild,” he said, “and our chess center will rise again.”
As the community grapples with this profound loss, the resilience of Kherson’s chess players and their unwavering spirit may yet pave the way for a brighter future, one where the echoes of laughter and learning can once again fill the halls of their beloved chess school.