World Individual Deaf Chess Championship opens in Yerevan
17:19, 17 May 2016
Siranush Ghazanchyan
The President of Armenia, President of the Chess Federation of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan today at the Tigran Petrossian Chess House attended the opening ceremony of the World Individual Deaf Chess Championship. The tournament, which will last until May 26, will take place in 7 subgroups with the participation of over 120 sportsmen from 24 countries. Present at the ceremony were also the President of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the President of the International Chess Committee of the Deaf Phillip Gardner, Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margarian, and officials of Armenia’s Chess Federation. At the chessboard, the President of Armenia and President of FIDE made the first moves, signaling the start of the Championship.
Before the beginning of the Championship, the President of Armenia and President of FIDE laid flowers at the Tigran Petrossian memorial and paid tribute to his memory. In the framework of the World Individual Deaf Chess Championship, the President was also familiarized with the automated program of the sign language interpretation (for the deaf-mute).
Later, President Serzh Sargsyan attended the inauguration of the Shengavit Chess School for Children. This is the largest Chess School in Yerevan. The President toured the premise of the fully renovated and equipped School and familiarized with the conditions created for the learning process. The School will accommodate 240 kids divided in 21 groups. According to the officials, this educational establishment can accommodate up to 450 children.
Source: https://www.armradio.am
Are there any deaf teenagers from Australia competing?