The press briefing dedicated to the closing of FIDE Grand Prix in Khanty-Mansiysk has taken place today, on March’26, in Ugra chess academy.
The acting governor of Ugra Natalia Komarova and the president of World Chess Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov have been answering the questions of journalists.
«On behalf of millions of chess players and the presidential board of FIDE I would like to thank Natalia Komarova, the government of the region and the chess federation for such a well-organized tournament. For many people Ugra has become the world center of promoting and popularization of chess, as many important world tournaments are held here. Let me remind you that Khanty-Mansiysk was an excellent launch point for Magnus Karlsen. We are glad to see that Ugra is carrying out a program “Chess in schools”. It could also be mentioned that Khanty-Mansiysk has the biggest chess academy that teaches future champions. The victory of Dmitry Jakovenko on his home stage of Grand Prix is an eloquent evidence of this», — said the head of FIDE.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has also told the journalists about international chess tournaments that will be held in Ugra in the nearest future.
«This year Khanty-Mansiysk will host World Junior U20 Championship and in 2017 Women’s World Team Championship will also take place here».
In her turn Natalia Komarova has mentioned that it is always a pleasure for her to follow the games of grandmasters: «I like to watch people working especially when it is an intellectual work. I clearly realize how difficult it is for chess players not only to evaluate their moves but also to deeply analyze the future moves of their opponents. This ability is very important not only in games but also in real life».
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has noted that Grand Prix in Khanty-Mansiysk was remarkable for chess fans with its depth of emotions.
«Not only experts but participants as well were saying that the Grand Prix stage in Khanty-Mansiysk was the most challenging and uncompromising. The leader was changing several times and the final result was difficult to predict. There were no short games of grandmasters that ended in a draw, athletes were playing for 7 hours in a row, not only to their delight but also to the delight of millions of chess lovers», — said Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
In the end of the briefing Natalia Komarova has answered a question about promoting chess in the region.
«What does Ugra get from chess? It becomes a platform for the realization of potential of young people. They have an opportunity to see the brilliant games of famous grandmasters and to adopt their priceless experience. It is also worth mentioning that we were among the first who went online by creating useful internet pages that made it possible for many people to follow the games that took place in Khanty-Mansiysk. Besides, the involvement of people of Ugra in chess community is clearly understood as 17 thousands of people in the region are going in for this sport. And this means that we are on the right way!»