Modern knights cross sabers

On the weekend of March 29-30 the residents of Nova Kakhivka witnessed a real knights’ tournament, part of the Nova Kakhivka Cup. One of the special features of this year’s tournament is that elements of the Ratybor tactical game were included in the program line-up. In addition, there were various types of saber competitions, including classic and mass battles.

Winners competed in two categories: Sword and Sword-and-Shield. But it was the Ratybor tournament that generated most of excitement among the participants and their fans.

Ratybor is a new type of combat in which participants of mass battles and experienced tacticians can take part. These modern warriors are outfitted in full armor, including helmets. The knights’ equipment has to follow the historical patterns of the Middle Ages. Men wearing modern clothing and footwear are banned from the tournament. The main thing for the participants to remember is that they must follow the medieval canons of fair play both during tactical combat and after leaving the fighting grounds. A knight’s honor is everything.