Mintimer Shaimiev and Claude-Louis Gallien open chess competitions within the framework of 27th World Summer Students Games

On July 9 Tatarstan State Counsellor, Senior Advisor to President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Mintimer Shaimiev and President of the International University Sports Federation Claude-Louis Gallien took part in the opening ceremony of chess competitions held within the framework of 27th World Summer Students Games.

The chess competitions are held in Kazan Equestrian Complex. More than 100 women players from 46 countries took part in the first round of competitions.

The right to make the first move was given to First Tatarstan President.

This discipline was included in the event’s program as an optional sport for the first time at the 2011 Summer Universiade.

The men’s and women’s teams will compete for 3 sets of medals.

In his welcoming speech Mintimer Shaimiev noted that chess competitions are now held within the framework of World Universiades thanks to joint efforts and it was a wise decision, because children begin playing chess at an early age and achieve success during school time.

Claude-Louis Gallien said that he was very glad to take part in the competitions, because chess was not simple sport, where a player should master both physical and mental skills. “I want to thank Mintimer Shaimiev for his contribution to development of world student sports, because it was he who initiated Universiade Games in Kazan,” he said.

Press-conference with participation of Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, President of the International University Sports Federation Claude-Louis Gallien, President of Tatarstan Chess Federation Gennady Zakharov, Director of Chess Competitions at Universiade 2013 Alexander Tkachev and outstanding Russian chess player, Chess Olympiad winner Alice Gallyamova took place after the opening ceremony.