The third stage of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix series 2015-2016 was officially opened in the presence of the players, the President of the Georgian Chess Federation Giorgi Giorgadze, the President of the European Chess Union Zurab Azmaiparashvili, the Head of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Archil Khabadze, the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport of the Autonomous Republic Adjara, Georgiy Tavamaishvili, the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Avtandil Beridze, the Minister of Finance of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, David Baladze, former Women’s World Champion and Chairman of the Appeals Committee Nona Gaprindashvili, Chief Arbiter Takis Nikolopoulos.
Giorgi Giorgadze
During the opening speech, the President of the Georgian Chess Federation Giorgi Giorgadze announced that the third stage of the Women’s Grand Prix is dedicated to former Women’s World Champion Nona Gaprindashvili, who will celebrate her 75th anniversary on the 3rd of May.
Zurab Azmaiparashvili
The President of ECU Zurab Azmaiparashvili on behalf of FIDE thanked the Georgian Chess Federation for the organization of the third stage of Women’s Grand Prix. “The Georgian Chess Federation is one the most active federations which always helps FIDE to organize the international chess events. It’s not surprising that we have Women’s Grand Prix tournament in Georgia as we have important traditions and it’s well known that the crown of the Women’s World Champions was held by Georgian players Nona Gaprindashvili and Maya Chiburdanidze for 29 years.”
Archil Khabadze
The Head of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Archil Khabadze welcomed the players in Batumi. The drawing of lots took place few hours earlier during the technical meeting.
Chairman of the Appeals Committee Nona Gaprindashvili, FIDE CEO Geoffrey Borg, Chief Arbiter Takis Nikolopoulos and the tournament director Akaki Iashvili
One by one, the players were collecting the gift bags, with starting numbers inside of them. The first rated player in GP in Batumi and former Women’s World Champion Maria Muzychuk has chosen the number 10 and will play against her sister Anna Muzychuk in the first round.
Mariya Muzychuk
Round 1 pairings:
IM Javakhishvili Lela 2489 – GM Kosteniuk Alexandra 2557
GM Khotenashvili Bela 2493 – GM Dzagnidze Nana 2535
GM Muzychyk Anna 2555 – GM Muzychuk Mariya 2561
IM Skripchenko Almira 2453 – GM Danielian Elina 2445
GM Gunina Valentina 2497 – WGM Girya Olga 2442
GM Zhao Xue 2504 – IM Batsiashvili Nino 2476
Photos from the opening ceremony and the technical meeting.
The Grand Prix is taking place in Tbilisi (Georgia) from the 19th of April until 2nd of May 2016. The organizer of the tournament is the Georgian Chess Federation. SOCAR Energy Georgia is the general sponsor of the event.
The games are taking place at the Intourist Palace Hotel in Batumi.
