Chess Olympiad Opens!

28 August 2012, Kuala Lumpur – The 40th Chess Olympiad 2012 was officially opened by the FIDE President, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov held yesterday in Istanbul, Turkey.

Mark Crowther of TWIC reported that the Opening Ceremony for the 40th Chess Olympiad in Istanbul took place on Monday 27th August 2012. Turkish music and dance was celebrated. The flags of the nations were brought in. The head of the Turkish Chess Federation Ali Nizhat Yazici highlighted the progress in Turkish Junior Chess since 2000 when they last hosted the Olympiad. He thanked the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sport who he said supplied 90% of the budget and supported Turkey's bid for the 2020 Olympics. FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov speaking mostly in English praised Yazici's leadership. Suat Kilic the Youth and Sport minister condemned killing and terrorism in the wake of a recent attack a point probably lost on most of the international audience. There was an athletes oath sworn, standard in the Olympics but maybe new to chess. There was a final draw for colours before the large audience filed out. Links: Official site, Facebook Page,http://www.chesstv.com/ have Russian and English commentary by the team that brought the excellent Tal Memorial and World Championship coverage. ChessDom are a media partner. Chess Results have the pairings.

(Photo from official website of Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey)