On Thursday, August 19, in Buenos Aires FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov had a meeting with Minister of Education of Argentina Professor Alberto Sileoni and President of Argentina CF Mr. Nicolas Barrera. Ilyumzhinov spoke about the positive experiences of the implementation of chess program in schools of Kalmykia. The report of FIDE President was of great interest. The fact is that chess is included in school program as an elective in four provinces of Argentina. It is about 5.000-6.000 schools, but it is not a limit for Argentina. It was reported at the meeting that the World School Team Chess Championship will be held next year in Argentina. Nicolas Barrero said that the state has allocated 30.000 chess sets, which will be donated to students.


Meeting with the Ministry of Education of Argentina


With Minister of Education of Argentina Professor Alberto Sileoni


After that FIDE President visited the chess club of Buenos Aires where the legendary Capablanca-Alekhine World Championship Match was held. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov took part in the opening ceremony of the tournament and became a member of this club which celebrated its 105th anniversary this year.


Chess Museum


Notes of Capablanca-Alekhine World Championship Match


Flashback to the legendary match


Chess Club















On the next day of his visit to Buenos Aires FIDE President met with the Deputy Minister of Sport of Argentina Professor Marcelo Adrian Chames and director of the Department of Sport Marcelo Giraud. He spoke about the future plans of FIDE relating to development of chess on the Continent and in Argentina. The program "Chess in Schools" was mentioned as well. Professor Chames said that he also liked to play chess when he was a school boy. "Everyone gets to know this wise game by his own way", he smiled. "Personally, I liked chess due to "Simpson Family" animation."
The other important issues were discussed: the upcoming World School Team Chess Championship, coordination of Ministries of Sport and Education in this regard, conduct and organization of official FIDE tournaments in Argentina.


Meeting with the Ministry of Sport of Argentina


With the Deputy Minister of Sport of Argentina Professor Marcelo Adrian Chames

The same day Kirsan Ilyumzhinov had a working meeting with the President of Argentina CF Mr. Nicolas Barrera, Treasurer of Argentina CF Mr. José Oswaldo Hadad, President of Uruguay CF Mr. Enrique Celi, Director Mr. Bernardo Roselli and General Secretary of Paraguay CF Mr. Julio Ingolotti. The issues were discussed at the meeting: the preparations in respect of upcoming World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk and implementation of "Chess in Schools" program.


President of Argentina CF Mr. Nicolas Barrera, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Treasurer of Argentina CF Mr. José Oswaldo Hadad


President of Uruguay CF Mr. Enrique Celi, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Director of Uruguay CF Mr. Bernardo Roselli


With General Secretary of Paraguay CF Mr. Julio Ingolotti