One million in a prize-winning basket (№6 (18) from January, 20th, 2009)

Far not every day and at all every month pass tournaments on Russian billiards with such powerful prize fund which has been offered participants of open international tournament on «the Combined pyramid» «the Galaxy Cup». To play one million roubles in capital of Southern Ural Mountains the city of Chelyabinsk 138 sportsmen from 56 cities of Russia and the near abroad have gathered. Among them – 12 masters of sports of the international class, 21 master of sports and 28 candidates for the master.

Mass tournaments always differ wide structure of participants both in respect of skill, and in respect of age. To megacomplex tables «the Galaxy of entertainments» there were world champions Evgenie Stalev, Kanybek Sagynbaev and Ilja Kirichkov, than - peonies of Europe Cyril Anishchenko, Vladimir Petushkov, Artem Zotov, the silver prize-winner of a command cup of the world Sergey Pletnev, champions of Russia Victor Kurilenko and Andrey Frejze. Pavel Kuzmin, Igor Kupava, Emil Mudarisov, Evgenie So- зыкин – these strong players too added intrigues and pressure. Among participants there were also two girls – Anna Eltonskaja (Ekaterinburg) and Yana Belenko (Chelyabinsk).

As the age qualification on tournament was absent, to be overcome for the first prize players that is called, young and old had possibility. 9-year-old Slava Popovich from Surgut became the most young participant. 10-year-old Danil Vasilev both 13-year-old Alexey Ladanov and Stillian Pinsky have kept its the company. On other age pole there was Nikolay Ivanovich Chupin (Barrow) of 1939 of a birth.

Has not managed on tournament and without sensations of local scale. One of them, by the way, also became young Danil Vasilev, conceded a victory to world champion Kanybeku Sagynbaevu only in контровой to party 3:4. And Leonid Shvyrjaev who has consistently cleaned from a battlefield at first Cyril Anishchenko (4:3), and then and Evgenie Staleva (5:4) has most surprised spectators.

Kanybek Sagynbaev (Kirghizia), Andrey Frejze (Russia), Leonid Shvyrjaev (Russia) and Emil Mudarisov (Kazakhstan) have entered into the four of semifinalists after three days of intense struggle. After carrying out of semifinal matches the pair of finalists which became Kanybek Sagynbaev and Andrey Frejze was defined. By the tournament end it became clear that 180 thousand ru - bleat for the first place the Kirghiz sportsman will take away with itself. The Russian managed a prize for the second place – 100 thousand roubles. On 60 thousand Leonid Shvyrjaev and Emil Mudarisov which have occupied the third step of a podium have received. And all monetary prizes had been awarded 32 sportsmen. Those who has not risen on a pedestal, have received from 15 to 40 thousand roubles.

The organizer of this interesting and mass tournament, the president of federation of billiard sports of Chelyabinsk Valentine Beljaev in conversation with the correspondent «БМ» has told that tournament which passes in Southern Ural Mountains any more for the first time, it is quite possible to name traditional. The federation has got support of sponsors and on the following time, therefore in 2009 Chelyabinsk will accept again participants of competitions, each of which can win rather powerful prize.