Official Opening Ceremony of XII International RSSU Chess Cup Moscow Open 2016 was held at the Russian State Social University on Saturday, 30st January.
The Opening Ceremony started with RSSU choir's Gaudeamus performance. After that, a permanent anchor man, national Russian actor Artem Kaminskiy appeared on the scene. He welcomed the guests with Stefan's Zweig chess quote.
Actors of Anastasia Obertaeva Light show performed with a beautiful scene “Seasons of the Year”.
An official part of the ceremony started with a cheerful drummers performance, and 42 national flags of countries-participants of the Festival were carried to the stage.
RSSU rector, doctor of economics, President of the Russian Student Chess League Natalia Pochinok, Moscow Sport Committee first Deputy head, Olympic champion Nikolay Gulyaev, President of the Moscow Chess Federation Vladimir Palikhata, the Deputy of Moscow city Council Kyril Shitov, rector of the University of Guantanamo (Cuba) Alberto Turró and ECU General Secretary Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou came up to the stage then.
Natalia Pochinok: “I am delighted that for the 12th time in a row we open the doors of the Russian State Social University for the best chess players in the world. Interest to our competition is constantly growing. I am also proud that within our tournament amazing events happen, including setting new world records. As you know, yesterday, on the first day of the tournament, a new Guinness World Record in nomination "the biggest chess lesson" was set. During the festival we open new forms of chess players union: for example, this time the Moscow Open has opened it's doors for the Student Chess League; more than 100 students from 45 universities are fighting for the right to be the best. RSSU Cup is the main qualifying competition for the prestigious world tournaments. I would like to say thank you to our sponsors who help us to hold the tournament at the highest level. I wish all the participants of XII RSSU Chess Cup Moscow Open 2016 good luck, new victories and outstanding achievements!”
Nikolay Gulyaev: “I would like to wish all the participants beautiful, interesting games, and to take all the best while watching the best representatives playing this great game”.
Vladimir Palikhata: “Please let me, on behalf of Moscow Chess Federation, to welcome all the participants and guests of XII International RSSU Chess Cup Moscow Open 2016. I would like to pay your attention to the fact that the Moscow Open is the brightest holiday for all chess lovers and world chess community. From year to year we see the level of this event growing. Moscow Chess Federation, our partners - the Russian State Social University and the Moscow Sport Committee – with joint efforts we've brought the tournament to a new level in recent years. Of course, it makes me proud, and I would like to thank everyone who participated in Festival preparations. I'm wishing faith in yourself, good luck and, of course, victory to all the participants!”
Kyril Shitov: “On behalf of the Moscow city Council and the Chairman of the city Parliament Alexey Shaposhnikov, I would like to tell you words of support, to wish success and interesting games and victories! Also, on behalf of the Moscow city Council, I wish good luck to all the organizers of the tournament, and prosperity and development to RSSU Chess Cup”.
Alberto Turró: “First of all, I would like to thank RSSU rector Natalia Pochinok for the invitation, and the Organizing Committee for excellent work. I have been in many countries but never seen such a large-scale, well-organised tournament. The fact that the Guinness world record was set just in the beginning of the festival is certainly not a coincidence, but a pattern that has become possible thanks to the University, it’s rector Natalia Pochinok and the Organizing Committee. Our student - champion of Cuba among students – also takes part in the Tournament, and I would like to wish success to him and all other participants. We would like to organise a parallel tournament in Cuba next year, so our national chess players and representatives of other countries in Latin America and the world could participate in this wonderful tournament online”.
Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou: “From today all attention of chess fans in the world will be tied to Moscow Open, the largest chess festival in the world. Therefore, FIDE and ECU support this competition; this tournament is very important to us. I would like to particularly thank RSSU rector Natalia Pochinok for the fact that this year we managed to bring a large delegation from Greece and Cyprus. 2016 is the year of Russia in Greece and vice versa, so we support active chess cooperation between our countries. Today the Deputy head of Greece Embassy in Moscow met with Mrs. Pochinok and they were just discussing the details of further chess cooperation between the two countries. Also next week we will be discussing the topic of visa facilitation for the participants of this cooperation. I congratulate the organizers and wish the participants good luck!”
The ceremony continued with musical performances by "Fahrenheit" banned which performed a "Snowstorm" waltz by Georgy Sviridov, and the University chamber ensemble under Elizabeth Gresini which performed "Polka" by Dmitry Shostakovich.
Официальная часть открытия началась с бодрого выступления барабанщиков, после чего на сцену вынесли флаги 42-х стран-участниц фестиваля.
Shortly after the opening, first games of major tournaments of XII International RSSU Chess Cup Moscow Open 2016 began. This year games are held in the spacious assembly hall of the main building. Participants of Cup of Russia compete in it. Grandmaster Alexander Kalinin comments the games.
The opening ceremony was broadcast on the Internet online.