During his stay in Belgrade President of the European Chess Union Mr. Silvio Danailov has a rich programme of meetings with numerous public persons.
Today he was received by Serbian President Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, in the honour of the start of the European Individual Women's Chess Championship. President Nikolic and President Danailov talked about the importance of youth chess and about the big influence of chess on the development of every young person. Serbian President Mr. Tomislav Nikolic expressed his willingness to provide full assistance in order to help the popularisation of chess in Serbian schools.
President Danailov underlined the big role and support of Alisa Maric, Minister of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Serbia during the preparations of this Championship, and expressed special thanks to her.
Apart from Mr. Silvio Danailov, President of the ECU, the delegation consisted of Ms. Alisa Maric, Minister of Sport and Youth of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Vladimir Sakotic, Executive Director of the European Chess Union, Mr. Miodrag Vukotic, President of Serbian Chess Federation, Mr. Milenko Dzeletovic, Vice President of the Organising Committee and Mr. Predrag Perunicic, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Serbia.
Tonight, in hotel Metropol Palace, opening ceremony of the 14th European Individual Women's Chess Championship was held.
On this occasion, all present were adressed by Mr. Miodrag Vukotic, President of Serbian Chess Federation, Mr. Dejan Vasovic, Deputy Mayor of Belgrade, Mr. Silvio Danailov, President of the European Chess Union and Ms. Alisa Maric, Minister of Sport and Youth of Republic of Serbia.
During the visit of Minister of Sport and Youth Alisa Maric to the “Metropol Palace” hotel, the meeting of a part of Organising Committee (President, Vice-Presidents and members of the directorate) was held.
It was decided at the meeting to, instead of organising the traditional party for the participants and organisers the night before the free day, donate the funds reserved for this purpose (1000 Euros) as support for the medical treatment of the Slovenian chess player Vesna Rozic.
Minister of Sport and Youth of the Republic of Serbia and Chairperson of the Organising Committee of the 14th European Individual Women’s Chess Championship, Grandmaster Alisa Maric on Saturday, 20th July visited the hall “Ivo Andric”, venue of this competition which will be held from 22 July to 4 August, 2013.
The first lady of Serbian sport made sure that everything is ready for the start of this great sport event, and said that she is proud that it is being held in Serbia.
„Our country has already proved itself as a good host, and I am pleased that Serbian Chess Federation accepted the challenge to organize such a big event. The fact that 168 participants from 35 national federations will take part in this tournament, which is a record, is a big accomplishment for our country, and a chance for Serbian chess players to test their knowledge playing with the best" - said Minister Maric.
This event, apart from Minister Alisa Maric was attended by Tournament Director Mrs. Jasna Sakotic, Chief Arbiter of the tournament and Secretary General of the European Chess Union Ms. Sava Stoisavljevic, Executive Director of the European Chess Union Mr. Vladimir Sakotic, President of Serbian Chess Federation Mr. Miodrag Vukotic, members of the Organising Committee of the tournament, and numerous media representatives.
European Individual Women’s Championship was held for the first time in 2000, in Batumi, Georgia, city famous for many important chess events, as a 32-player knockout event. That year Natalia Zhukova defeated Ekatarina Kovalevskaya in the final with the result 2.5-1.5. Since 2001 the Tournament has had a Swiss system format, and apart from a short switch to a 12-round schedule in 2004-2005, was played with 11-round schedule. Three players won 2 crowns: Pia Cramling (2003 and 2010), Katerina Lahno (2005 and 2008) and Tatiana Kosintseva (2007 and 2009), and all three confirmed arrival in Belgrade.
