Rijeka is ready for the record Championship
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.
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!
How come Kosteniuk is ducking this tournament? Is she afraid a disastrous last place performance as in Moscow?