The 1st FIDE World Team Chess Championship for Disabled 2018 started on 15 October in Wyndham Garden Hotel Dresden, Germany. The event is organized by ZMDI Schachfestival Dresden e. V. under the auspices of FIDE. Dr. Jordan, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee and his team have successfully organized the World Chess Olympiad back in 2008 in Dresden as well as other chess competition of senior and disabled formats in Germany.



The FIDE Observer of the tournament is Thomas Luther.



Here is what he replied to the question “Why do we need competitions for people with disabilities” at the 2nd FIDE World Junior Championship for the Disabled: “Special care for all chess players is a motto of the events for disabled players. They feel supported and understood. Here we have nice playing conditions that help players deal with the complexities of the competition.”

The first edition of the team championship gathered 9 teams from 4 participating federations. Germany is presented with three teams: DGSV 1920 e.V with blind and deaf chess players, Deutschland Jugend and Niedersachsen team with different kinds of disability. Other teams are from Russia (IPCA, Russia Deaf, Russia Women Deaf and Russian Youth Team), Hungarian mixed team with deaf and blind chess players and Polish deaf participants. This year’s competition is marked with two junior teams from Germany and Russia.

The Captains’ meeting was opened by the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Dr. Dirk Jordan who greeted representatives of the teams and introduced the team: Chief Arbiter, Social program coordinator, FIDE Observer and other arbiters.



Chief Arbiter Egmont Poenisch briefed captains on the regulations of the competition.



The team compositions were confirmed and the drawing of lots was conducted.



On the same day the Opening Ceremony took place. It was started by Dr. Dirk Jordan who later on gave the floor to Thomas Luther who warmly greeted the participants and wished them luck.



The IPCA President Svetlana Gerasimova thanked the organizers for the unique opportunity for all disabled chess players to compete in the World Team competition for the world chess title.



The magic show by famous magician Andreas Roethig was to continue the Opening Ceremony. It made the start of the event special.



The first round started right after the Opening ceremony. The former World Chess Champion for the Disabled IM Andrey Obodchuk of Russia, the current World Junior Chess Champion for the Disabled FM Ilia Lipilin of Russia, the President of IPCA Svetlana Gerasimova and other strong chess players are going to make the first moves.



We will keep you posted!

Photos courtesy by Karsten Wieland

Report by Kema Goryaeva