Beyond the standings: our youths’ experience at the World Cup in Batumi

From the recent World Cup Cadets in Batumi, a valuable balance emerges: between international challenges and educational growth, we analyze the importance of building a chess thought process and the lessons learned by our young talents for their competitive future.

When you work with a student over a long period of time, there are moments when numbers stop being just numbers. Titus Bittner’s journey is one of those. Titus started training with me about two and a half years ago, with a strong passion for chess and a clear desire to improve. From the very beginning, it was clear that the real goal would not simply be to increase his rating, but to build a solid working method based on discipline, awareness, and personal responsibility.

From October 28 to November 8, 2025, I took part as an accompanying coach and trainer at the European Youth Chess Championship, held in Budva (Montenegro) in the Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 categories.

Received with great pride the prestigious "Carrera Award," reserved for the top Sicilian players for their achievements throughout the year, particularly for participating in the Italian Absolute Chess Championship. We retrace the path that led to this important recognition