Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and World Chess Federation President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
YEREVAN (ArmRadio)—The President Serzh Sarkisian, who is also President of the Chess Federation, attended the opening ceremony of the World Individual Deaf Chess Championship on May 17 at the Tigran Petrossian Chess House. The tournament will have over 120 sportsmen participating from 24 countries, taking part in 7 subgroups. The tournament will conclude on May 26.
Present at the ceremony were also the President of FIDE (World Chess Federation) Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the President of the International Chess Committee of the Deaf, Phillip Gardner, Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margarian, and officials of Armenia’s Chess Federation. At the chessboard, the President of Armenia and President of FIDE made the first moves, signaling the start of the Championship.
Before the beginning of the Championship, the Sarkisian and Ilyumzhinov laid flowers at the Tigran Petrossian memorial and paid tribute to his memory, as he was a Soviet-Armenian Chess Grandmaster and World Chess Champion from 1963-1969. In the framework of the World Individual Deaf Chess Championship, the President was also familiarized with the automated program of the sign language interpretation (for the deaf-mute).
Later, Sarkisian attended the inauguration of the Shengavit Chess School for Children. This is the largest Chess School in Yerevan. The President toured the premise of the fully renovated and equipped School and familiarized with the conditions created for the learning process. The School will accommodate 240 kids divided in 21 groups. According to the officials, this educational establishment can accommodate up to 450 children.
Source: Asbarez
Link: World Individual Deaf Chess Championship Opens in Yerevan
