At the European Chess UnionGeneral Assembly during the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku in September 2016, the organizational rights to the European Youth Chess Championship 2018 were awarded to Latvia, who held the event in Riga from 19 to 30 August 2018, under the auspices of European Chess Union. The venue for the championship was the International Exhibition CentreĶīpsala near the historical center of Riga. The main organizers from Latvia were the President of the Latvian Chess Federation Āris Ozoliņs and tournament director Egons Lavendelis. The chief arbiter of the tournament was Ashot Vardapetyan, the deputy chief arbiters are Andra Cimiņa, Vairis Kurpnieks and Christos Pilalis. The championship consisted of 12 separate tournaments: Open tournaments in the age groups O08, O10, O12, O14, O16, O18 and the Girls' tournaments in the age groups G08, G10, G12, G14, G16, G18, all of which hold on Swiss-system in 9 rounds with time control for each player: 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move, starting from move one. The championship was attended by 1072 participants from 47 countries, including 426 participants in Girls' tournaments and 646 participants in Open tournaments. In connection with the exclusion of the chess federation of Bulgaria from FIDE, all participants from Bulgaria represented the European Chess Union at the tournament. 194 participants had various international chess titles, including one Grandmaster, 10 International Masters, 6 Women International Masters and 76 FIDE masters. Larger delegation have Russia, which one represented 150 players, but second one Latvia was represented by 103 participants, including 29 participants in girls' tournaments and 74 participants in open tournaments. Latvia's representation was the second largest championship behind Russia, represented by 150 members. At the end of the tournament Russia takes home 7 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze medals. Azerbaijan leaves Riga with 2 gold medals, while Belarus – with 1 gold and 1 silver and 3 bronze medals.
G08 tournament
In Girl's G08 tournament participated 50 players.
G10 tournament
In Girl's G10 tournament participated 71 players. In the first five places were occupied by Russian representatives.
G12 tournament
In Girl's G12 tournament participated 82 players. The first place was divided into four players, of which the besttie break criteries was the Russian representative.
G14 tournament
In Girl's G14 tournament participated 92 players.
G16 tournament
In Girl's G16 tournament participated 65 players.
G18 tournament
In Girl's G18 tournament participated 66 players.
O08 tournament
In Open's O08 tournament participated 77 players.
O10 tournament
In Open's O10 tournament participated 132 players. The first place was divided into three players, of which the best tie break criteries was the Russian representative.
O12 tournament
In Open's O12 tournament participated 124 players.
O14 tournament
In Open's O14 tournament participated 125 players.
O16 tournament
In Open's O16 tournament participated 113 players.
