FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov opened the fourth leg
of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Jermuk, Armenia in the presence of the
President of Armenia and the Armenian Chess Federation the Hon. Serge
Sargissian.
This tournament is one of the strongest in the history of
women chess with three former world champions Grandmasters Maia Chiburdanidze,
Antoaneta Stefanova and Xu Yuhua taking part, as well as the legendary Nona
Gaprindashvili being present as Technical Adviser.
In his opening speech FIDE President gave thanks to the
important role that Armenia is playing not only from the number of top players
it produces but also in the hosting of top events. As a result, places like
Jermuk which are famous for their spa centres, become well known around the world
thanks to chess.
The tournament was dedicated to the memory of Henrik
Kasparian, one of the greatest chess composers of all time.
