Opening ceremony of “Nakhchivan-2018” International Chess Festival held

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Published on Wednesday, 02 May 2018 11:18

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On May 1, opening ceremony of “Nakhchivan-2018” International Chess Festival dedicated to the 95^th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev was held at Nakhchivan State Musical Drama Theatre.

First, the festival participants put fresh flowers in front of the national leader’s monument erected in the main square of the city and visited Heydar Aliyev Museum.

The chairman of Chess Federation of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vugar Safarov congratulated the event participants on the occasion of opening “Nakhchivan-2018” International Chess Festival, welcomed chess players and guests. He said that chess has ancient history in Azerbaijan. However, the development of chess as an intellectual sport type was achieved during the rule of national leader Heydar Aliyev in our country, and in the 70s of the last century the Azerbaijani chess school was formed. After our country gaining its independence, chess schools were created meeting the modern requirements, material and technical and training base was established for the development of chess. The development of chess shows the overall intellectual potential of each country and nation. It is pleasant to note that the Republic of Azerbaijan is one of the countries where the chess is protected at the state level. As President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev said: "Development of chess is a state policy in Azerbaijan today".

As a result of attention paid to the development of chess in Azerbaijan and in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, chess for the younger generation was more accessible. Putting into operation the modern Chess Center in Nakhchivan city, Children-young chess schools in the regions of the autonomous republic, training of chess subject at the secondary schools, holding international chess festivals and other competitions in Nakhchivan have contributed to the expansion of the chess movement. At present there are 1 grandmaster, 2 international chess masters, 3 FIDE masters, 1 international referee and 1 FIDE referee in the autonomous republic. About 4 thousand young people go in for chess. Three of the young chess players have been nominated for the “Golden Book” of young talents and have been awarded the monthly special scholarship of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis.

The chairman of Chess Federation of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic    declared “Nakhchivan-2018” International Chess Festival open and wished every chess player victory.

President of Azerbaijan Chess Federation Elman Rustamov stated in his speech that holding international chess festivals dedicated to the anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev in Nakhchivan is of great importance. Because, during the great leader's leadership in our country, great attention was paid to the development of chess. The outstanding public figure had an invaluable service in bringing the world chess crown to Azerbaijan during the Soviet era. President Ilham Aliyev, who successfully continues the path of genius leader, also pays special attention to the development of chess. That is why Azerbaijani chess players are gaining greater success every year. Over the past 10 years, the Azerbaijani national team has won gold, silver and bronze medals three times in Europe which has historical chess traditions. The adoption of the sole state program in Azerbaijan in the field of chess development is also an expression of the chess's state-level attention. There is a great attention to the development of chess in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. In recent years, as a result of care and attention of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic chess has passed a great development path in Nakhchivan. Nakhchivan chess players are gaining high results at international tournaments, world and European championships.

Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan Azad Rahimov said that holding international chess festivals in Nakhchivan is of great importance. Because our nationwide leader had been thoroughly cared for the development of physical education and sports, including chess, along with all fields in Azerbaijan. Today the President of the country pays attention to the development of chess in Azerbaijan. Thanks to this care, the interest of young people in chess has grown dramatically, as a result the Azerbaijani chess players have achieved great success in international tournaments. International Chess Festival "Nakhchivan-2018", dedicated to the 95th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev, is of great importance in this respect. Azad Rahimov thanked the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for the work done in the field of sports and chess development in the autonomous republic, as well as holding this festival.

Vice President of the International Chess Federation, President of the Turkish Chess Federation Gulkiz Tulay said: "During the two days I was in Nakhchivan, I once again felt the idea of "One nation, two states" by national leader Heydar Aliyev. During my visit, I had the opportunity to visit chess schools in the autonomous republic and get information about them. There are great chess schools here. Based on the chess infrastructure and advanced experience of the autonomous republic, we saw that the state is paying special attention to this field. Chess players are benefiting from this and they improve themselves. In this sense, the work done in the development of chess in Nakhchivan is an example. The International Chess Federation should take and apply the example of Nakhchivan in the chess development activities. Gulkiz Tulay expressed her gratitude for being invited to the International Chess Festival "Nakhchivan-2018".

Speaking at the event, chief referee of the International Chess Festival Faig Hasanov underlined the great achievements in the field of chess in Nakhchivan over the past eight years, when international chess festivals were held. He also pointed out that the state care opens up opportunities for the development of chess at a new stage. Teaching chess in all schools of the autonomous republic and the chess schools have paved the way for the training of world-famous chess players in Nakhchivan. Nakhchivan has become an international chess center. The participation of the world's best chess players in the festival once again proves it.

Then the lots were drawn for the chess festival.

More than 300 chess players from 15 countries will compete in the A, B and C groups at the International Chess Festival "Nakhchivan-2018". The festival will last till May 10, with the participation of 23 international grandmasters, 16 international masters, 14 FIDE masters and candidate chess players for mastership.

Nakhchivan State Philharmonic's collective performed the concert program in the artistic part of the event.

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