A delegation from FIDE led by President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov successfully concluded negotiations for the 2015 World Cup and 2016 Chess Olympiad in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan. FIDE President was accompanied by Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos, Vice President Israel Gelfer, FIDE Moscow Director Berik Balgabaev and FIDE CEO Geoffrey Borg. The Agreements were signed in front of a packed audience of journalists and TV cameras.

On the Azerbaijan side the Honorable Minister for Youth and Sport, Azad Rahimov and the President of Azerbaijan Chess Federation, Dr Elmar Rustamov jointly signed on behalf of the Organisers.

The team had the opportunity of visiting and inspecting the venues for the events and were impressed by the high quality of facilities which have been offered both in terms of accommodation as well as playing venues. A substantial budget has been proposed at this stage for the events.

The playing venue for the Olympiad has been agreed and will be the Crystal Complex which has also hosted the Eurovision Song contest Finals 2012. The area for the matches alone will be around 12,000 m2. For the World Cup the prizes net to the players have been raised by 25%.

FIDE President also met the President of the Republic, His Excellency Ilham Aliev at the Exhibition Centre and they played a friendly game of chess against each other. It is noteworthy to point out that chess in Azerbaijan has full support of its President and a Chess Palace has been approved for construction in time for the World Cup. An area of 6 hectares has been allocated for the project. FIDE President also congratulated the President of the Republic with the award of the Olympiad and World Cup and also with the victory of the SOCAR club at the European Club Cup.


President of Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Aliev, visiting stand of CF of Azerbaijan where FIDE President met him and they played a friendly match.











FIDE President and the President of the Republic, His Excellency Ilham Aliev, played a friendly game of chess against each other (video)