Baku hosts opening ceremony of World Chess Cup PHOTO

Baku has played host to the opening ceremony of the World Chess Cup.

Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Farid Gayibov, President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Arkady Dvorkovich, President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation (AFA), Vice-President of FIDE Mahir Mammadov, official representatives of other sports federations, participants and guests of the competitions attended the opening at the Baku Congress Centre, Azertac reports.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Gayibov noted that the World Chess Cup, being held for the tenth time, is not being held in Baku by chance.

Underscoring that in connection with the 100th anniversary of Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev, 2023 was declared the “Year of Heydar Aliyev” in Azerbaijan, the minister highlighted the state care for the development of chess in the country and wished success to the participants and expressed confidence that they would have a fruitful time in Baku.

Speaking at the event, FIDE Vice-President Mahir Mammadov noted that Azerbaijan is one of the strongest chess nations in the world, where the care for the development of chess is a state policy. In remarks about the success of Azerbaijani grandmasters in international competitions, the ACF president said that 18 Azerbaijani chess players are participating in the World Cup. Expressing his confidence that the competitions in Baku will be remembered for honest and uncompromising struggle, he thanked the leadership of the International Chess Federation for the confidence.

For his part, the FIDE president expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan as the host country and to President Ilham Aliyev for the organization of the World Chess Cup in Baku. He noted that he was satisfied with the conditions created for the competition and wished success to all players.

Then Arkady Dvorkovich declared the World Chess Cup open, after which the official anthem of the International Chess Federation was played.

In conclusion, the draw for the competition was made and the chess players who would meet on the first day of the competition were determined.