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Opening report of the 1st FIDE World Chess Championship for the Disabled 2018

by Kema Goryaeva - 18/10/2018

The 1st FIDE World Team Chess Championship for Disabled 2018 started on 15 October in Wyndham Garden Hotel Dresden, Germany. The tournament witnesses the participation of 9 teams. Germany has 4 teams and Russia has 3 teams and the remaining teams are Hungary and Poland. Top seed is IPCA Russia. The event comprises of about 40 players including 2 IMs, 1 WIM and 2 WFMs. The 7-round event will conclude on 21st October 2018. Top 3 teams will receive medals and cash prize. Photo: Tournament Regulations

1st FIDE World Team Chess Championship for Disabled 2018

Dr. Dirk Jordan - Chairman of the Organizing Committee | Photo: Karsten Wieland

The 1st FIDE World Team Chess Championship for Disabled 2018 started on 15 October in Wyndham Garden Hotel Dresden, Germany. The event is organized by ZMDI Schachfestival Dresden e. V. under the auspices of FIDE. Dr. Dirk Jordan, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee and his team have successfully organized the World Chess Olympiad back in 2008 in Dresden as well as other chess competition of senior and disabled formats in Germany.

Thomas Luther - FIDE Observer of the tournament | Photo: Karsten Wieland

Here is what he replied to the question “Why do we need competitions for people with disabilities” at the 2nd FIDE World Junior Championship for the Disabled: “Special care for all chess players is a motto of the events for disabled players. They feel supported and understood. Here we have nice playing conditions that help players deal with the complexities of the competition.”

 

The first edition of the team championship gathered 9 teams from 4 participating federations. Germany is presented with three teams: DGSV 1920 e.V with blind and deaf chess players, Deutschland Jugend and Niedersachsen team with different kinds of disability. Other teams are from Russia (IPCA, Russia Deaf, Russia Women Deaf and Russian Youth Team), Hungarian mixed team with deaf and blind chess players and Polish deaf participants. This year’s competition is marked with two junior teams from Germany and Russia.

Captains' meet | Photo: Karsten Wieland

The Captains’ meeting was opened by the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Dr. Dirk Jordan who greeted representatives of the teams and introduced the team: Chief Arbiter, Social program coordinator, FIDE Observer and other arbiters.

Chief Arbiter Egmont Poenisch | Photo: Karsten Wieland

Chief Arbiter Egmont Poenisch briefed captains on the regulations of the competition.

Drawing of lots | Photo: Karsten Wieland

The team compositions were confirmed and the drawing of lots was conducted.

GM Thomas Luther and IO/FA Dr. Dirk Jordan | Photo: Karsten Wieland

Opening Ceremony took place on the same day. It was started by Dr. Dirk Jordan who later on gave the floor to Thomas Luther who warmly greeted the participants and wished them luck.

IPCA President Svetlana Gerasimova | Photo: Karsten Wieland

The IPCA President Svetlana Gerasimova thanked the organizers for the unique opportunity for all disabled chess players to compete in the World Team Championship for the world chess title.

Famous magician Andreas Roethig | Photo: Karsten Wieland

The magic show by famous magician Andreas Roethig at the Opening Ceremony. It made the start of the event special.

GM Thomas Luther made the inaugural move | Photo: Karsten Wieland

The first round started right after the Opening ceremony. The former World Chess Champion for the Disabled IM Andrey Obodchuk of Russia, the current World Junior Chess Champion for the Disabled FM Ilia Lipilin of Russia, the President of IPCA Svetlana Gerasimova and other strong chess players made their first moves.

 


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