The 40th edition of the European Chess Club Cup and the 29th edition of the European Women’s Chess Club Cup were officially declared opened today.
The Opening ceremony of the event took place at the truly magnificent and historical venue of the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes – a place that has witnessed centuries of strategy, courage and vision – qualities that perfectly reflect the spirit of chess.
The ceremony was attended by the ECU President Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili, ECU Secretary General Mr. Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou, the President of the Greek Chess Federation Mr. Stathis Efstathopoulos, Vice Mayor of the city of Rhodes Mr. Patas Georgios, Vice Governor of the South Aegean region Mr. Christos Michalakis, who addressed the distinguished guests, captains and players.
After the intonations of the national anthem of Greece and the anthem of the European Chess Union, Mr. Stathis Efstathopoulos, the President of the Greek Chess Federation, took the floor and addressed the guests, wishing them a warm welcome to Greece. He emphasized that he is very proud that the Greek Chess Federation hosts one of the strongest tournaments in the ECU calendar.
The Vice Mayor of the city of Rhodes Mr. Patas Georgios welcomed everyone to Rhodes – Island of the Sun. He expressed pleasure that a major European chess event like European Chess Club Cup is being held in Rhodes, and wished the players to enjoy in chess, Greek culture and hospitality, and the experience of being in the city of Rhodes.
Mr. Christos Michalakis, Vice Governor of the South Aegean Region, addressed the attendees and referred to Rhodes’ rich historical and cultural heritage, highlighting the great symbolism in the fact that the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes – once the seat of great strategists and leaders – now hosts the Grandmasters of chess.
The ECU President Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili thanked the organisers for spectacular opening ceremony, held under the open air at the majestic palace. He thanked the distinguished guests for their warm welcoming messages, and then officially declared the European Chess Club Cup opened.
After the speeches, the ECU Secretary General Mr. Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou invited the Chief Arbiter of the event Mr. Ashot Vardapetyan to perform the Drawing of Colours ceremony together with the representatives of the top seeded teams Bayegan Pendik Chess Sports and Cercle d’Echecs de Monte-Carlo.
The two Knights of the Rhodes Palace kept pieces in their helmets, and the representatives of the teams picked them up – determining that Cercle d’Echecs de Monte-Carlo will have White pieces on the top board, while Bayegan Pendik Chess Sports opens the competition with Black pieces on their first board.
The ceremony was enriched with the performances of the Violinist Leida and Theatrical event of a duel training of Knights of the Medieval Rhodes.
The Captains meeting took place after the Opening ceremony, in the tournament playing venue. The Chief Arbiter of the event Mr. Ashot Vardapetyan, ECU Tournament Director Mr. Petr Pisk, and the Pairing officer of the event Mr. Marco Biagioli addressed the captains and introduced them the rules of the Championship.
The first round of the event starts tomorrow at 15:00 (local time). Live games with commentaries by GM Alojzije Jankovic, WIM Sandra Djukic, and WIM Lena Miladinovic can be followed through the ECU YouTube channel and the ECU TV platform.