Zhukov and Filipenko press conference

Zhukov and Filipenko press conference before World cup start

The Vice Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Zhukov took the floor first. He informed the audience on the World Chess Olympiad 2010 Organizing Committee meeting which was held to discuss the organizational points. He also mentioned that all the objects to be involved into the Olympiad including the Chess Academy were inspected.

Apart the Olympiad issue, Mr. Filipenko informed the journalists that 128 participants from 42 countries are participating in the 3 rd World Chess Cup 2009. The tournament consists of 6 rounds. 128 players will take part in the 1 st round, 64 players will stay for the 2 nd one, 32 for the 3 rd and so on till the final match. The World Cup winner will be qualified for the Candidates tournament. Therefore this year World Cup has its special importance for all the players. Mr. Filipenko said with confidence that this novelty (speaking about chance to qualify to the Candidates) will undoubtedly raise the interest and add the fighting mood to all the players. In his opinion the two previous World Cups which took place in Khanty were held on a proper level. It is confirmed by the fact that the Yugra chess players started showing better results in the tournaments of higher level and by the fast development of chess in Yugra Okrug. Today, chess in Yugra – is a harmonious system where people of all ages, from children to old generation, are involved. He also added that the perfect organization of the World Chess Olympiad 2010 will bring a considerable contribution to the chess development in Okrug, Russia and all over the world.

Thereafter the journalists started their questions:

• Alexander Vasilievich, do you expect any financial support from the Federal Centre for organizing the World Chess Olympiad? – “Yugra” magazine.

• Today I can say that all possible financial support in all optimal volume has been received, – says the Governor. – The most important is undoubtedly moral support. But despite this, we have agreed on some cooperation which means not only financial but also organizational assistance. We don’t need more. Thank you.

• All the possible support and assistance from the side of Ministries and departments will be also provided, – adds the Vice Prime Minister of RF. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Sport will assist in all necessary fields. It concerns visas, customs, etc. Of course, we will also provide the Olympiad organizers with media support. The coverage of the Olympiad should fit the level of this event.

• Alexander Dmitrievich, it came to our knowledge that two days ago you resigned from the position of the Russian Chess Federation President. Just some words about it and will you remain the organizing committee chairman? – asked Ludmila Malzeva, “Rossiiskya gazeta”

• I am the Organizing Committee Chairman not due to my position of the RFC President but due to my position of the Vice Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. To say more, we have a tradition, which I think is right. It is obligatory that an Organizing committee is set up to hold any international big sport events in Russia. It also concerns the World Championships in any sport for there are a lot of issues and problems where our support is needed. As for the Chess Federation, yes, you are right, I have resigned recently and everyone is aware why I had to do so. At the beginning of the next year we will have the special session of the RFC. Till that time the Vice President of RFC Alexander Bach will fulfill the duties of the President. He is at the same time an Executive Director of our federation. During the next session of RFC we are planning to make some changes in the format structure. Me and Arkady Dvorkovich, the assistant to the President of the Russian Federation would continue contribute to the Russian chess and assist chess development in frameworks of new so-called council of trustees or observers’ committee. Later we will define the structure.

• Question to Alexander Dmitrievich. Today you have inspected many sport objects, not only connected to chess. This is a theoretical question to the Winter Olympic Games Organizing Committee Chairman: in case of force majeure, could Khanty Mansiysk be a worthy replacement? – asked a correspondent of TV company Yugra. The audience burst out with laughter.

• Almost yes. You only miss a higher ski mountain. You have very good ski mountain, but the downhill is not possible. We should do something: either to make deeper hole or to build a mound of snow somehow. But anyway you have perfect sport infrastructure. This is not my first visit anyway and I have seen a lot of them. But I must confess that for instance now I saw for the first time your new ice soccer palace. My personal opinion is that not only high league matches could be held here but also NHL games as well. Of course one should mention a perfect tennis centre, which is now one of the best tennis centers of Russia. Very good soccer stadium and all the facilities there. One should not forget the biathlon stadium. Now it is under reconstructions, I believe, it will become better after it. It is really difficult to mention all now. The new chess palace is under constructions. We were talking about your developments and all that given to sport with Alexandr Bach and he already envies you. We don’t have all this in Moscow.

• And he is ready to move to Khanty Mansiysk, – added Alexander Vasilievich joking.

• Who can become a winner of World Cup? Your prognosis?