Final Tournament of 50th Belaya Ladya Officially Opened in Sochi

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to participants, organizers, and guests.

The official start of the 50th edition of Belaya Ladya to be held at the health center Dagomys, Sochi, on the International Children’s Day, July 1. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to participants, organizers, and guests of the event. 

The message reads, in part:

“Chess has always enjoyed special popularity in our country. We are rightly proud of the outstanding representatives of the Russian school of chess who celebrated it throughout the world by their triumphant victories.

The famous Belaya Ladya tournament, which marks its 50th anniversary this year, made a significant contribution to chess in Russia.

For many of its participants the tournament became a crucial milestone on their ascent to future achievements, allowed them to prove themselves and gain competition experience. It is certainly important that in the last few years our children are facing competition from young chess players from other countries who are interested in chess and committed to achieving impressive results”.

The guests were welcomed by Mark Glukhovsky, Executive Director of the Russian Chess Federation, Victor Bologan, FIDE Executive Director, Igor Baradachev, Deputy Director General of the Elena and Gennady Timchenko Charitable Foundation, and Anatoly Bykhovsky, an Honored coach of the USSR and one of Belaya Ladya's founding fathers.

Wrapping up the festive activity was a short but lively and dynamic concert program with its picturesque salute of confetti and balloons. 

The event’s final, being an 11-round Swiss, features as many as 80 national and 26 foreign teams. 

Tournament page 

Picture by Vladimir Barsky