On June 12th Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived on a working visit to Kyrgyzstan where in Cholpon-Ata city he participated in the opening ceremony of the 2nd Central Asian Chess Cup for the prizes of FIDE President. Vice Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Ms. Gulnara Asymbekova participated in the opening ceremony of international tournament as well.
A press-conference for Kyrgyz mass media was held in the framework of FIDE President’s visit. As Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov noted, Central Asian Chess Cup has become a traditional event and expressed his confidence that this tournament will contribute to the further popularization of royal game in the countries of Central Asia which is famous for its great chess traditions. The FIDE President expressed his gratitude to the chess federation of Kyrgyzstan for the excellent organization. According to Berik Balgabaev, Director of Moscow FIDE office, Cholpon-Ata city is one of the most beautiful places in Asia and it is no coincidence that the traditional Issyk-Kul Youth Forum of Intellectuals in Memory of Ch. T. Aitmatov is held there.



Landscape of Cholpon-Ata 

Press-conference

Making the first move