On August 7-8 the FIDE President visited Latvia, where the chess festival “Liepājas Rokāde” took place. The 22nd edition of the tournament gathered more than 100 players. The organizer of the tournament is FIDE 1.7 Zonal President Mr. Aris Ozolins.


Zurab Azmaiparashvili, President of European Chess Union, Andrey Korobeinik, President of Estonian Chess Federation, Peteris Smidre, President of Latvian Chess Federation, Aris Ozolins, 1.7 Zonal President, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Aleksander Chernov, President of Lithuanian Chess Federation

Awarding ceremony

This year not only the presidents of the Baltic federations arrived to the tournament but also the other officials. Among the participants was Dana Reizniece-Ozola, the Minister of Economy, leader of the national women’s team, who won in the women’s section. The winner in the seniors section became GM Jusefs Petkevich (right).

3rd place open section – GM Aleksej Aleksandrov (BLR), 2nd place – GM Vladislav Kovalev (BLR)

1st place open section – GM Evgeny Romanov (RUS)

Full final standings

FIDE President’s World Cup nominee - GM Igor Kovalenko (LAT), winner of the Baltic Cup (left). Alexander Khalifman, participant of the “Super” tournament (right).

On August 8 the “Super” tournament and “Team” tournament started

Latvian CF President Peteris Smidre, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Mayor of Liepajas Gunars Ansins

Peteris Smidre and Aleksander Chernov welcome the participants

Aleksey Aleksandrov and Alexander Khalifman before the game

Mayor of Liepajas Gunars Ansins welcomes the participants (left). Kirsan Ilyumzhinov said in his welcome speech that he would continue supporting the Baltic Cup tournament, the winner of which would become the World Cup nominee.

The first move by FIDE President in the game of Arturs Neiksans vs Zurab Azmaiparashvili (left) and the first move of black in the game of Igor Kovalenko vs Alexander Khalifman.