On May 17th on invitation of President of Armenia, President of Armenian Chess Federation Serzh Sargsian, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov visited Yerevan where he participated in the opening ceremony of the XVI World Individual Deaf Chess Championships. More than 100 chess players from 25 countries compete in the tournament. Within the framework of this event the 33rd ICCD Congress will be held, as well as championships among women, children, seniors, blitz tournaments and other events.
The World Individual Deaf Chess Championship is being held in the chess center named after Tigran Petrosian. Before the opening ceremony the Presidents of FIDE and Armenia, as well as the heads of all delegations put the flowers to the monument of the ninth World Chess Champion. The participants were welcomed by Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Vice President of Armenian Chess Federation Smbat Lputian, ICCD President Philipp Gardner, Head of the Armenian Deaf Association Grigor Grigoryan. The Armenian President Serzh Sargsian made the first symbolic move.
Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan is the President of Yereven Chess Federation that is why the city administration actively runs the programme of chess clubs opening in every part of the city. Another one chess center opened its doors today, the head of which will be the legendary Armenian GM Rafael Vaganyan. At the opening ceremony were present the Armenian President Serzh Sargsian, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan, and other representatives of chess community.
The same day the meeting of FIDE President and President of Armenia, President of Armenian CF Serzh Sargsian was held.
The sides noted the high level of cooperation between FIDE and Armenian Chess Federation on different aspects. The FIDE President thanked the Armenian President for his active participation in the opening ceremonies of the Candidates Tournament and World Individual Deaf Chess Championship, as well as the for the preparations for world conference devoted to the chess education to be held in Tsaghkadzor on October 1-2. FIDE President invited the President of Armenian Chess Federation to visit the 42nd World Chess Olympiad as a guest of honour and a Captain of the 3-times Olympic chess Champions. Serzh Sargsian thanked Kirsan Ilyumzhinov for the invitation.


The heads of delegations arrived to the World Individual Deaf Chess Championship


The Armenian President, President of Armenian Chess Federation Serzh Sargsian welcomes the heads of delegations


The Presidents of FIDE and Armenia paid the tribute to the ninth World Chess Champion Tigran Petrosian


Presentation of Surdophone programme created for communication




Kirsan Ilyumzhinov welcomes the participants of the championship


Vice President of Armenian Chess Federation Smbat Lputian




Chairman of Armenian Deaf Association Grigor Grigoryan


ICCD President Philip Gardner


Serzh Sargsian makes the first symbolic move






The opening of a new chess club


After the opening ceremony the presidents and the other guests got acquainted with the training process and checked the chess equipment