16:49, 19 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS: Security of Armenian chess players during 2016 Chess Olympics in Azerbaijan must be ensured by Baku. This is dictated by FIDE Statutes.  Armenpress quoted Kirsan Ilyumzhinov as saying on January 19, in Tsakhkadzor. The main principal of FIDE is that all we are a big family having nothing to do with economic or political issues.

“I am well aware of Armenian relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, therefore they must not become an obstacle for Armenian chess players for proving for one more time they are the best,” FIDE President said.

Ilyumzhinov reminded the victory of Armenian chess players in Istanbul which proved best minds of Armenia are more intelligent than Turks or others.

“If other Armenian sportsmen may participate in championships in Baku, why Armenian grandmasters cannot?” Kirsan Ilyumzhinov noted.

First FIDE Vice President George Macropolus underlined that Baku had to create an atmosphere in which Armenian chess players will have all conditions needed to win gold medal. “Gold medals of Baku are missing in the collection of medals of Armenian chess players and they must be ready for it,” Macropolus said.

FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, 23 FIDE members and representatives of chess federation of more than 20 countries are currently in Armenia in order to participate in the Presidential Board Meeting of World Chess Federation taking place in Tsakhkadzor.