The government of Russia has approved the bids of Khanty-Mansiysk to host four chess tournaments

A joint committee dedicated to hosting international sport competitions in Russia was held in Moscow under the guidance of the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Arkady Dvorkovich. The governor of Ugra Natalia Komarova was also taking part in the meeting.

One of the main resolutions of the committee was approving the bids of the region to host four major chess tournaments. They are – Men and Women World Team Chess Championships 2017, Women World Championships 2018, World Cup 2019 and the Chess Olympiad 2020.

Of course, Ugra has deserved its right to hold such events. It has already hosted many chess tournaments with the strongest world grandmasters. In 2010 the Chess Olympiad took place in Khanty-Mansiysk. Later on the President of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov called this Olympiad the best in the history. More than 2000 players from 150 countries participated in it. Specially for them a new hotel – “Olympiyskaya” – was built in Khanty-Mansiysk.

“Ugra is a region with strong chess traditions, so we are not standing aside of the main tournaments in this sport”, – said Natalia Komarova during the meeting. – “After the Olympiad our region has hosted World Cup 2011, Candidates Tournament 2014, FIDE Grand Prix and Would Junior U20 Championships 2015. This year we will have World Youth U14, U16, U18 Championships and FIDE Women’s Grand Prix”.

According to the head of the region, the return of the Chess Olympiad to Russia in 2020 – is an important and big event. So the preparations for it should start well in advance. The convenient infrastructure of Khanty-Mansiysk  – such as an airport located close to the city, specialized halls for hosting chess events and having press-conferences, rooms for arbiters – will help to host the Olympiad successfully.

Besides, Natalia Komarova has told about the youth chess tournament that was recently held during the VIII International IT-Forum with participation of BRICS and the SCO. Its participants were competing online, being located in different countries of the world.
“This experience will be used during the Chess Olympiad 2020”, – added the governor, – “So there’s a chance that it will become not only the best in the world but also the most smart in the history. Khanty-Mansiysk region is ready to host the major chess tournaments. And we are sure that they will be held in accordance with the highest world standards”.