The opening ceremony of the 4th stage of FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Series 2011-2012 took place in the assembly hall of the “Korston” Hotel in Kazan (Russia) on the 9th of June. 12 players from 9 countries will take part in the event among them world champion Hou Yifan, former world champions Alexandra Kosteniuk, Antoaneta Stefanova as well as current number three and four among women by rating Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru. Four members of National Russian team, current Olympic champions Tatiana Kosintseva, Nadezhda Kosintseva, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Alisa Galliamova will represent Russian Federation.
The event was attended by such honorable guests as 1st President of the Republic of Tatarstan
State Advisor of the Republic of Tatarstan, Senior Advisor to the FIDE President Mr. M. Shaimiev, the Chief Executive Officer of FIDE Mr. G. Borg, assistant to the FIDE President Mr. B. Balgabaev and others.
Mintimer Shaimiev welcomed the participants on behalf of all chess
lovers of Tatarstan. He recalled that a year ago Kazan hosted
candidates’ matches which determined the challenger Boris Gelfand for
the recently finished world chess championship match. "And now we have
been entrusted to carry out one of the stages of FIDE Women Grand Prix”,
- said State Advisor of the Republic of Tatarstan. He also announced
that during World Universiade 2013, which will be held in Kazan, chess
will be included to the program as one of the sports
Geoffrey Borg thanked the leaders of Tatarstan for their support in
organization of the fourth stage of FIDE WomenGrand Prix and proposed to follow the
event to all chess lovers of Kazan: “I’m sure all games will be very
interesting and there will be no many quick draws here”
The Chief Arbiter of the tournament Sultan Al Tahir
conducted the ceremony of drawing of lots. Each participant was proposed
to choose a plate with different views of Kazan with the number on the
bottom of each. Armenian Elina Danielian chose the number one
Alisa Galliamova, who represents Tatarstan, chose the number ten
Numbers 2,3,4 in women rating list Hou Yifan, Anna Muzychuk and
Humpy Koneru. The World Champion Hou Yifan and the former challenger for
the world champion title Koneru Humpy will meet in the first round as
it happened during the first stage of Grand Prix in Rostov-on-Don
The organizers presented the traditional hat, which symbolizes justice and wisdom, to the Chief Arbiter Sultan Al Tahir
The opening ceremony included choreographic and singing performances
that attached a very good mood to the participants and guests of the
tournament
Sand art video showed different pictures with common subject – the opposition of chess queens
After the opening ceremony players and guests were invited to the banquet
Short technical meeting took place after the opening ceremony and banquet
All players received souvenirs from the organizers
Games will start at 3 p.m. local time.
The parings of the first round
Elina Danielian – Anna Muzychuk
Humpy Koneru – Hou Yifan
Betul Yildiz – Alisa Galliamova
Tatiana Kosintseva – Alexandra Kosteniuk
Viktorija Cmilyte – Katerina Lahno
Nadezhda Kosintseva – Antoaneta Stefanova
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