Valentina Golubenko and Ivan Šarić enjoying victory in Vietnam, adorned with beautiful flowers.



The following amazing list deserves to be seen:

Medal tally

Rank Country Total Individual Team Gold Silver Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Gold Silver Bronze 1 India 12 3 4 4 2 2 8 1 2 2 Vietnam 4 5 3 1 1   3 4 3 3 CROATIA 2   1 2         1 4 China 1 4 3 1 3 2   1 1 5 Russia 1 4 1 1 1 1   3   6 Georgia 1 2 2 1 2 1     1 7 Poland 1 1 1 1 1 1       8 Kazakhstan 1 1   1       1   9 Iran 1   1       1   1 10 USA   1 4     2   1 2 11 Canada   1           1   11 Finland   1     1         11 Germany   1     1         14 Azerbaijan     1     1       14 Indonesia     1     1       14 Moldova     1     1       14 Philippines     1           1

The main hall in the city of Vung Tau, Vietnam, where the World Youth Chess Championship was held.

Valentina Golubenko

Ivan Šarić

World Youth Chess Champions in the category under 18 years, representing Croatia.


Valentina is Woman Grand Master (WGM) in chess, born in 1990 in Estonia. She was 16 times champion of that country in various age categories. Her parents are also successful chess players, and her father Valery Golubenko has PhD in Mathematics.


Dr. Valery Golubenko, Valentina's proud father, drinking Croatian beer in the town of Njivice on the island of Krk.


Ivan Šarić, No1 on the podium receiving gold medal


Interview with Ivan Šarić, World Chess Champion in 2008.



Ivan holds the title of International Chess Master. Born in 1990 and living in the city of Split, Croatia, he was European Champion in 2007 for chess players under the age of 18.

Ivan Šarić in Vietnam with Croatian Coat of Arms Croatian Chess Federation

Please, go to the next page below.

Ivan Šarić, Croatia, 1st place at Euroyouth 2007 in Šibenik in the category B18, i.e. below the age of 18 (World youth champion B18 in 2008).

Romain Edouard, France, 2nd place, B18 (European youth champion B16 in 2006, and World youth vicechampion B18 in 2007)

Aleksandr Rakhmanov, Russia, 3rd prize, B18

A young competitor in Šibenik at the age below 10 in full concentration.

Ulviyya Fataliyeva, a young lady from Azerbaijan (age: 11 years), competing at the European Youth Chess Championship in Šibenik, Croatia.

Forthcoming Croatian forces wearing T-shirts with the motive from the Croatian Coat of Arms, well suited with the chess board.

Playing chess in Šibenik, just a few meters from the seashore.

Map of the hotel complex near Šibenik where the competition was held.

Sunsets at Croatian coast are simply unforgettable.

Source: www.euroyouth2007.com