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ECU AND EU MEETINGS IN BRUSSELS

ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili and chess legend GM Judit Polgar visited Brussels on 2nd

and 3rd June, 2015 for important meetings with the European Commission (Education, Culture &

Sports) and the European Parliament Committee on Culture and Education. ECU Deputy

President Ion Dobronauteanu, ECU Treasurer Martin Huba and the Delegate of the Hungarian

Chess Federation Gusztav Font also took part in the meetings.

EDU COMMISSION

SURVEY MITROPA CUP

2015

ANKARA CHESS

CONFERENCE

ECU BOARD

MEETING

E U R O P E A N C H E S S U N I O N

NEWSLETTER

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The goal of the visit was to meet EU institutions and to inform them about progress in several EU

countries regarding implementing chess in educational system, and to identify possibilities of

financing chess by various EU programs and projects.

The first meeting was scheduled within the European Commission at the cabinet of Mr. Tibor

Navracsics, the Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. The ECU delegation was

welcomed by Mr. Szabolcs Horvath, member of the Cabinet in charge with sports, and Mr. Zenon

Severis, Policy Officer in DG for Education and Culture.

Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili made the introductory speech presenting the ECU, its goals and the

importance of chess for children and society. He introduced Judit Polgar who presented the

project “Chess Palace” and her activities related to educable chess. Messrs. Ion Dobronauteanu

and Martin Huba spoke about chess as a sport and an educational tool, brought arguments how

chess is useful for social inclusion and exemplified where chess is an optional subject, and

presented other successful projects in EU member countries.

Messrs. Horvath and Severis were interested in how chess is implemented in different countries

and presented the possibility for chess to be financed by Erasmus+ program, special sports

events, sports research studies, by Horizon 2020 and pilot projects. The two representatives of

EU Commission expressed their disposal to assist the ECU for further questions and

clarifications.

The second visit was the European Parliament where the ECU representatives met Mrs. Silvia

Costa, Chairperson of Committee on Culture and Education of the Parliament. Mrs. Silvia Costa,

commenting on arguments and studies about the impact of learning chess, pointed out the project

and study performed in Turin area and expressed her commitment to support further concrete

initiatives in this direction. Mrs. Costa underlined the possibility to apply for pilot project and she

put on the table a very interesting proposal to host Chess in Schools conference in the EU

Parliament under the authority of the Culture Committee. This proposal was gladly accepted by

the ECU delegation, and the further details shall be discussed in the coming weeks.

Finally, the ECU delegation met the MEP Mr. Damian Draghici, member in Committee on

Culture and Education, for a very useful information exchange. Mr. Draghici expressed the

importance of arguments proving the benefits of learning chess. He also agreed to coordinate the

CIS conference in Brussels.

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European Chess Union is improving its business profile and legalization registered according the

European Union transparency rules.

Today the European Chess Union is registered and eligible for Erasmus program partnership.

Austria and Hungary win Mitropa Cup 2015

The teams of Austria in the Open section, and Hungary in Women section are the winners of

Mitropa Cup 2015, which was held in Mayrhofen/Austria, 14-22 June, 2015.

Despite the 3.5-0.5 loss in the final round against Croatia, the host Austria triumphed thanks to

the good games shown during the whole tournament. Second place went to Slovakia with 13

match points, and Germany came third with 12 points.

34th Mitropa Cup 2015 Open Section Final Standings

In Women section there were two teams who finished the tournament undefeated – the winner

Hungary, and the runner-up Italy. Hungary clinched gold with 16 match points (7 wins and 2

draws), while Italy came second with 14 match points (5 wins and 4 draws).

The third place went to the team of Slovakia with 11 match points, and better tie-breaks than

Germany, who also scored 11 points.

12th Mitropa Cup 2015 Women Section Final Standings

This year the organizer of the Mitropa Cup 2015 was the Austrian Chess Federation, and the

official venue was Congress Zillertal in Mayrhofen.

In both sections the following federations took part: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France,

Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Each team consisted of 4 players + one reserve player in Open section, and 2 players + one

reserve player in Women section. Both tournaments were played as Round Robin ones, with time

control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes to finish the game with 30 seconds

increment for each move starting from one.

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All the games were broadcast live on the official website, and the organizers provided live

commentary in cooperation with ChessBase.

Official Website

Topalov wins Norway Chess 2015

Bulgarian Grandmaster Veselin Topalov (2798) is the winner of the 3rd Norway Chess 2015 chess

tournament, which was held in Stavanger/Norway, 15-27 June, 2015.

Topalov made a quick draw with Anand in the final round and secured the title. With 6.5 points

out of 9 games he finished sole first.

Viswanathan Anand (2804) and Hikaru Nakamura (2802) tied for the second place with 6 points,

while Anish Giri (2773) finished 4th with 5.5 points.

Final Standings

The tournament certainly didn't go well for the World Champion Magnus Carlsen, which was the

biggest surprise of the event. He lost 4 games and won only two, and eventually finished 7th.

Norway Chess 2015 started with a one-day Blitz tournament to determine the pairings, with the

idea that the top five finishers get the opportunity to choose whether they play five games with the

White or Black pieces. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave triumphed with 6.5 points out of 9, Nakamura

finished second, and Carlsen came third.

Official Website

Photos copyright Chess.com

You can find daily round reports of Norway Chess with more photos and videos at

www.chess.com/news.

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European Schools Chess Championship 2015 started in Konya

The European Schools Chess Championship is organized by the Turkish Chess Federation under

the auspices of the European Chess Union. It is taking place in Konya/Turkey, from 24th June to

3rd July, 2015.

666 players from Russia, Azerbaijan, England, Bulgaria, Denmark, Romania, Albania, Finland,

Georgia, Moldova, Spain and Turkey will be fighting in 12 different categories throughout the 9

rounds.

Before the first round, on 25th June the brief opening ceremony took place, with the

participations of the President of Turkish Chess Federation, Mrs. Gülkiz Tulay, the President of

the International School Chess Union and Secretary of the ECU Educational Commission, Mr.

Alexander Kostyev, the Deputy Rector of Konya Selçuk University, Prof. Dr. Musa Özcan, the

Dean of Konya Selçuk University Faculty of Sports, Prof. Dr. Nizamettin Çiftçi, and many other

important officials.

Mrs. Tulay stated it was an honour and fulfilment for the Turkish Chess Federation to host such

an event. She wished luck to all the participants to struggle in this tournament where peace and

friendship will meet together.

After several speeches made by the officials, the first round of the Championship started with the

symbolic move made by the President of the Turkish Chess Federation.

Official Website

In Memoriam Gaguik Oganessian

Chess world got very painful news that the Executive Secretary of Armenian Chess Federation

Gaguik Oganessian passed away at the age of 68.

Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili, President of the European Chess Union, sent a letter of condolences

to Armenian Chess Federation, which we convey below.

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Dear friends,

On behalf of the European Chess Union and myself, I express my deepest condolences to the

family of Gaguik Oganessian, all relatives and friends, the whole chess community of Armenia!

Thanks to the activity of Gaguik Oganessian the biggest World and European championships

were organized in Armenia. He was always present in FIDE and European Congress. He did not

like the loud and pompous speeches, but always subtly raised the most targeted and meaningful

questions about the development of chess. He was distinguished by his friendliness and respect

for all! Gaguik was repeatedly giving me valuable political and technical advices.

We all regret to miss Gaguik and his smile!

May he rest in peace!

I grieve with you!

President of the ECU,

Zurab Azmaiparashvili

ECU NEWS ECU President’s working meetings in Galicia, Bucharest,Tirana and Warsaw. ECU President is in a big tour in Europe invited by National Federations to support their actions and ECU projects.

Galicia 09-10 June

Mr. Azmaiparashvili visited the region of Galicia in Spain. Galician parliament adopted the Chess

in Schools program, and there is also a big interest to host the future European Championships in

the region. ECU President, along with the Presidents of Spanish and Galician Chess Federations

Mr. Javier Ochoa De Echaguen and Mr. Gaspar Perez Carnero met with the Mayor of the Santiago

de Compostela and the Galician Sports Director, Mr. Jose Ramon Lete.

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Bucharest 12-13 June

Mr. Azmaipairashvili and the ECU Deputy President, Mr. Ion Dobronauteanu had a number of

meetings in Bucharest on the occasion of the ECU Board Meeting.

The first meeting was with the Minister of Education, Prof. Sorin Campeanu. Prof. Campeanu

stated that he is a chess fan and he looks to extend the introduction of chess in Romanian schools.

After that, they met with the Deputy Minister of Sports Ministry, Mrs. Carmen Tocala, who

expressed her appreciation in regards the Romanian chess and the government, and her will to

support the organization of the international sport events in Romania.

The meetings of 1st day concluded with the Rector of National Sports University from Bucharest,

Prof. Viorel Cojocaru, on the occasion of signing the cooperation protocol between Romanian

Chess Federation and the University, regarding professional qualification and training for

teachers, students and chess trainers. The practical goals of the protocol are: organizing master

classes for graduated teachers, introducing one semester chess course during university studies,

and introducing the chess especially for chess trainers with secondary education in the Trainers

School.

During his stay in Bucharest, the ECU President Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili met the President of

the Romanian Parliament, Mr. Valeriu Zgonea and together with the President of the Romanian

Chess Federation, Mr. Sorin-Avram Iakoban opened the Romanian Team Rapid Cup.

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Tirana 17 June

European Chess Union, Albanian Ministry of Education and Sports and Albanian Chess

Federation signed a cooperation agreement in order to implement the project "Chess in Schools"

in Albanian Educational system.

Warsaw 21 June

During his stay in Warsaw, the ECU President Zurab Azmaiparashvili was invited to an official

dinner with the Polish Deputy Minister of Education, Mrs Ewa Dudek and the President of Polish

Chess Federation, Mr. Tomasz Delega. Next morning Mr. Azmaiparashvili visited school

competitions and had the chance to share experience with the Polish school chess players.

The ECU President was also invited to open the annual General Assembly of the Polish Chess Federation.

EDU Commission Survey

The ECU Educational commission started its operations in autumn 2014. During the first months

of work it became clear to the commission that no one in Europe has got an overview of Chess in

Schools, and how chess is used as a pedagogical tool, in the 54 countries of ECU.

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Therefore the ECU Educational Commission is conducting a survey of its member federations.

The survey has got two objectives: to obtain basic information about the Federations of the ECU

and to understand the place of chess in the education system of the Federation countries. The

results of the survey will be presented at a conference in Porec, Croatia 24-27th September, as

well as on the website of ECU. The result will be analyzed thoroughly and will shape the future

work of the commission.

In the forthcoming months all the federations will be contacted by the one making the survey in

the particular country. The ECU hopes you will support him or her as much as you can, as we find

the survey important for our future work.

More about the survey can be found at the ECU website

ECU Board meeting in Bucharest

The Board meeting of the European Chess Union was held from 12th to 14th June, in the capital

of Romania – the city of Bucharest.

Among the decisions were the acceptance of the Kosovo Chess Federation as a provisional

member according to the ECU Statutes and the unanimous ECU General Assembly 2014 decision

in Tromso about the IOC sports jurisdiction. ECU Board informed about the bid procedure, the

preparations for the 1st ECU Congress (7-11 October) in Bar, Montenegro, and made a decision

about the conditions for the ECU Commissions’ members. ECU Board also decided that ant-

cheating guidelines should be added to the ECU tournament regulations with specific instructions

for players, arbiters and organisers.

More detailed information about the ECU Board decisions will be sent to National federations by

the upcoming Circular letter 4/2015 which will as well include the information about the outcome

for the bidding procedure for 2017 chess events.

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Ankara Pre-School Chess Education Conference

Turkish Chess Federation and “I’m Growing up with Chess Club”, with the financial contribution

of Sport Toto Administration, have initiated a project that will establish chess corners in 1000

kindergartens across Turkey, introducing pupils in these kindergartens with chess materials and

providing professional chess education to teachers in order to disseminate chess in kindergartens

in 2015-2016 academic term.

The project will be first initiated in regional centers such as Ankara, Denizli, Diyarbakır, Erzurum,

Gaziantep, Istanbul, Izmir, Kayseri, Kocaeli, Mersin, Ordu and Sivas, then will be put into

practice in other provinces in the upcoming years.

Before the initiation of this project, in order to provide information about different chess teaching

methods in Turkey and abroad; compare and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of

teaching methods and eventually creating an example teaching method through mutual exchange

of ideas, Turkish Chess Federation and “I’m Growing up with Chess Club” with the financial

support of Republic of Turkey Promotion Fund, organized a workshop entitled “International

Level Comparison of Chess Education Models for Preschool level”.

The workshop took place 13-14 June 2015 at Meyra Palace Hotel in Ankara/Turkey.

The aim of the workshop was to provide information about different chess teaching methods in

Turkey and abroad; compare and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of teaching methods

and eventually creating an example teaching method through mutual exchange of ideas.

President of the Turkish Chess Federation, Mrs. Gulkiz Tulay, Chairman of FIDE Chess in Schools

Commission Kevin O’Connell, President of the International School Chess Union, Secretary of the

ECU Educational Commission and Head of the Chess Department at Russian State Social

University, Mr. Alexander Kostyev, Alessandro Dominici, Stormester & Stormester Academy

Trainer WGM Olga Dolzkaya and leading chess figures from Turkey joined the workshop and

gave speeches.

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FUN ZONE

In June Fun Zone we present you 4 interesting games from the recently ended Norway Chess

Tournament 2015.

Grischuk vs Topalov Anand vs Vachier

Aronian vs Nakamura Carlsen vs Grischuk

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Solutions from the NL May 2015:

A. d'Orville 1842

1 Be5!

S. Loyd 1859

1 Rg2!

E. B. Cook 1868

1. Qa1!

S. Gold 1871

1. Kc5!

They told about chess…

“I believe most definitely that one must not only grapple with the problems on the board,

one must also make every effort to combat the thoughts and will of the opponent.”

Mikhail Tal, Latvian Soviet chess Grandmaster and the 8th World Chess Champion.

Mikhail Tal with his daughter

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UPCOMING EVENTS IN JULY

ECU EVENTS

EUROPEAN SENIOR TEAM CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2015

Vienna Chess Federation and Austrian Chess Federation under the auspices of the European

Chess Union organize the European Senior Team Chess Championship in Vienna/Austria, from

12-20 July, 2015. Playing venue and accommodation will be in the Hotel AIRO Wien.

42 teams have registered so far. List of the teams can be found on Chess-Results

The Championship will be played in 9 rounds according to the Swiss System. Each team will

consist of four players + 1 reserve.

Official Website

EUROPEAN YOUTH TEAM CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2015

The Polish Chess Federation, under the auspices of the European Chess Union and Mr. Bronisław

Komorowski, the President of the Republic of Poland organizes the European Youth U18 Team

Chess Championship 2015.

The Championship will take place from 12-20 July, 2015, in Karpacz, Poland. The official venue

will be New Queen of Karkonosze Hotel (Nowa Królowa Karkonoszy Hotel).

The European Youth Team Championship will be played according to the Swiss system in 7

rounds, and it has two sections – Open section and Girls section.

Official Website

EUROPEAN YOUTH RAPID & BLITZ CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2015

Vojvodina Chess Federation under the auspices and support of the European Chess Union and

Serbian Chess Federation organizes the 15th European Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship

in Novi Sad/Serbia, July 31st to August 6th, 2015. The tournament hall will be “Master centar

Novosadskog sajma” – Master Centre of Novi Sad Fair.

The Championship consists of five events: 15th INDIVIDUAL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP –

RAPID; 14th EUROPEAN RAPID CUP – RAPID SUPERFINAL; 15th TEAM EUROPEAN

CHAMPIONSHIPS – RAPID; 15th INDIVIDUAL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – BLITZ; 14th

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP IN SOLVING CHESS PROBLEMS.

Official Website

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EUROPEAN EVENTS

POLONIA WROCLAW CHESS CLUB 2015

3 - 9 July Wroclaw/Poland Official Website

SPORT SUMMER 2015 3 - 10 July Paracin/Serbia Official Website

BENASQUE 2015 3 -11 July Benasque/Spain Official Website

IDEON ANDRON 2015 9 - 16 July Anogia/Crete Official Website

NANA ALEXANDRIA CUP 2015

13 - 20 July Poti/Georgia Official Website

CZECH OPEN 2015 16 July - 1

August Pardubice/Czech

Republic Official Website

BIEL CHESS FESTIVAL 2015

18 - 31 July Biel/Switzerland Official Website

POLITIKEN CUP 2015 25 July - 2

August Helsingør/Denmark Official Website