From 3 to 27 May 2011 Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, will play host to the participants of the Candidates Matches 2011. Today FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov together with the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov discussed the questions in respect of the preparation and holding the Matches.

The meeting was held in the Government House of the Republic of Tatarstan. Ildar Khalikov, Prime Minister of Tatarstan, Rafis Burganov, Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism of Tatarstan and Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan also took part in the meeting.

Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the FIDE leadership for their choice of Kazan as the venue for the Candidates Matches 2011. President of the Republic of Tatarstan assured that the Matches will be organized on the highest level.

The decision of holding the event in Kazan was made during the FIDE Presidential Board meeting in Tromso, Norway. 8 strongest chess players will compete for the World Champion title; the prize fund will be 500 thousand Euros.

During the meeting Kirsan Ilyumzhinov also offered to pay attention to the opportunity of the implementation of chess to the school curriculum. FIDE President added that, for example, in Kalmykia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Tomsk and Yekaterinburg chess is already introduced to the curriculum of the elementary schools.

Rustam Minnikhanov positively met this offer, as a “pilot” project chess lessons will be introduced to the several schools of the Republic during the next term of the study.

In conclusion of the meeting the Parties signed the Protocol of Intentions between the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and FIDE. Ildar Khalikov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan and Kirsan Ilyumzhinov signed the document.