FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived in Tallinn on December 14. He gave a speech at the “Paul Keres-100 and future of the Estonian chess” Conference which was also attended by the Estonian President Mrs. Kersti Kaljulaid and Minister of Culture Mr. Indrek Saar.
There Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with the President of the National Olympic Committee of Estonia Urmas Soorumaa and double hammer throwing bronze medallist, Juri Tamm. At the meeting with Mr. Urmas Soorumaa, it was agreed that the NOC of Estonia would support FIDE in its efforts to join the Olympic family. Zonal president Aris Ozolins and a member of Estonian Chess Federation Board, Ken Koort participated in this meeting.
FIDE has declared 2016 the year of Paul Keres, marking the 100th anniversary of his birth. A significant number of events have been devoted to this anniversary during the year. The European Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships which is held in Tallinn from 15 to 18 December being the highlight. This is the largest chess competition in Estonian history. The Opening Ceremony of the European Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships took place in Meriton hotel on December 15.
The member of Estonian Chess Federation Board Ken Koort, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Vice-President of the NOC of Estonia Juri Tamm gave a speech. The Chief Arbiter of the tournament IA Stephane Escafre acquainted with the main provisions of the Championship regulations.
Currently, nearly 550 players have signed up for the rapid event and nearly 500 for the blitz event.
