The FIDE General Assembly has awarded the 2016 World Chess Olympiad to the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. The other two application by Albena (Bulgaria) and Tallin (Estonia) did not make presentations before the voting and were not approved.
The Chess Federation of Azerbaijan came up with a rich offer to host the 2016 Chess Olympiad and 2015 World Cup in Baku back in July. The budget for the 2016 Chess Olympiad is the astounding 13,3 million EUR! 6,8 million is set for the first-class accommodation for the players and delegates. Another 1 million is planned for the FIDE Commission for World Championships & Olympiads and intellectual rights.
With such stable financial offer, guaranteed by the local government, the only question remained the protest of Armenia. The delegate at the FIDE congress required that “the security of the Armenian players is guaranteed”. For this reason FIDE will create a special working group. The Minister of Sports of Azerbaijan guaranteed that the Armenian players will receive visas at the airport.
FIDE World Cup 2015 also in Baku
The FIDE World Cup 2015 is also awarded to the city of Baku. With it the total budget of Baku is over 15 million EUR.
Good deal!