On June, 14 FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov had a working meeting with Dr. Saleh Al Rashed, Minister of Education of Syria. The parties discussed questions on the implementation of chess in the school curriculum of the country and on the final text of agreement on cooperation between FIDE, the Ministry of Education of the Syrian Arab Republic and Syrian Arab Chess Federation. The agreement was signed later in a chess club of Damascus (Al Muhafazah). In the club children have the opportunity to attend not only chess classes but also art, music and other classes.

Dr. Saleh Al Rashed noted that the Syrian government gives much attention to development of chess and was interested in signing the agreement. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov in his turn underlined that the agreement and implementation of chess in schools will let the level of chess development in Syria grow.

The same day the FIDE President officially opened the Syrian School Chess Championship. 50 pupils are taking part in the competition.

Later Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met Mr. Ismail Helyami, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Syria, Mr. Fayez Hamoi, Director of Sports Department of Damascus, Dr. Hani Al Bitar, President of Syrian Arab Chess Federation and Mr. Mohammad Sepaee, President of Al Muhafazah Club.

Report by Dr. Hani Al-Bitar, President of Syrian Chess Federation, on the visit of FIDE President to Damascus


Meeting with Minister of Education Dr Saleh Al Rashed











Visiting chess club of Damascus (Al Muhafazah) - Art lesson



Music lesson
















Kirsan Ilyumzhinov with the leadership of Chess Federation of Syria


FIDE President met with Mr. Ismail Helyami, NOC Vice President, Mr. Fayez Hamoi, Director of Sports Department of Damascus, Dr. Hani Al Bitar, President of Syrian CF, Mr. Mohammad Sepaee, President of Al Muhafazah Club.