EUSA Insider: Yan Gelburd

Age:                    25

Place of Birth:    Ukraine

University:          The Open University of Israel (ISR)

Published: 2 November 2017 

Briefly describe how and why did you get involved in Chess?

At the age of 5 my dad taught me the rules of chess, I immediately liked the sophistication of this game and got signed to my first circle.

What do you study? How do you balance your study, trainings and competitions?

I am studying Psychology. I am playing chess in Israeli national league and participate in few tournaments during the year. I am always trying to follow strong tournaments over the world and watch broadcasted live games. I think that my studies aren't consuming a lot of time since I know how to prepare well for the exams. The most time-consuming project in my life is my day-job startup called FitScanner and I think that if you know how to manage your schedule you can combine your hobbies with your life.

  "I enjoyed meeting students from different countries across Europe"

Tell us about your experience of the European Universities Championships 2017. Is this your first time at an EUSA event?

It was my first EUSA event, so I can only compare to youth championships which I participated few years ago. Tournament organization was brilliant, Fuengirolla is warm and beautiful place in Spain. I think that the chosen format of tournament (team-rapid and individual blitz) reflected our levels, and made the event not too long, so we had time to travel in few places and enjoy the short vacation. I enjoyed meeting students from different countries across Europe and hope to see them again in the next events. 

In 2019 the European Universities Chess and Bridge Championships will be held in Budapest, do you hope to be there? Why do you think university sport events are important?

Of course, I hope to be there. I think that even if the event is not the official championship it is important to organize it once in a year. In general, this is a good opportunity to promote chess, but the most important thing is probably because of such events, players are still playing chess, trying to be up to date with new ideas and to improve their level. Every student knows that studies aren't easy so sometimes, unfortunately, it is easy to neglect your hobbies.

"Don't forget about your hobbies! Study well, but combine it with sports"

This is your chance! What is your message to European students like yourself?

Don't forget about your hobbies! Study well, but combine it with sports and other important things.

EUSA would like to congtratulate Yan on his achievements at the European Universities Chess Championship 2017! We wish him the best of luck in his new start-up FitScanner, his psychology studies, and of course his Chess!

Find out more about Coimbra 2018.