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Rijeka is ready for the record Championship |
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Friday, 05 March 2010 09:41 |
A press conference was held in Rijeka on March 2nd at which the 11th European Individual Men and Women's Chess Championship was presented by the Mayor and Honorary Committee President Vojko Obersnel, president of the European Chess Union Boris Kutin, president of the Executive Committee Damir Vrhovnik and Croatian Grandmaster and journalist Vlado Kovačević.
Mayor Obersnel reminded about Rijeka's long chess history as well as Rijeka's experience in organizing major sporting events. He said that he is sure that the hosts will meet all expectations of the 590 chess players who decided to participate in this Championship. I wish a lot of success to all participants, and of course, a pleasant stay in our City, mayor Obersnel concluded.
The president of the European Chess Union (ECU), Boris Kutin, pointed out that the organizers have fulfilled all the requirements for maintaining this great chess competition. Kutin also commented on participants and he concluded that the ratings and the previous titles of the participants guarantee an outstanding Championship. He announced the ECU General Assembly which will be held during the EURO 2010 in which some 60 delegates will take part.
 Kovacevic, Kutin, Obersnel and Vrhovnik
The president of the Executive Committee Damir Vrhovnik said that Chess Club Rijeka is a proud host of 590 chess players (425 male and 165 female), from 41 European countries, among which there are 246 grandmasters. He said that the organization is going according to the plan and that he believes that Euro 2010 will help in the affirmation of Rijeka and Croatia on the European chess map. For chess lovers all over the world, there will be live streaming of rounds through the official website, as well as video recordings directly from the sports centre Zamet.
Croatian Grandmaster Vlado Kovačević pointed out that 246 grandmasters are expected at EURO 2010 which will make this championship historical. The first stars in Rijeka are Etienne Bacrot from France and ex-world champion Antoaneta Stefanova from Bulgaria. At the women's section, only three players from European Top 30 will skip the competition. Organization of this championship will surely contribute to the popularization of the chess in Rijeka and Croatia, and this is also a great opportunity for the affirmation of young Croatian players, Kovačević said.
Rijeka is on the move!
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