PhosAgro and CFR Sing Agreement on Strategic Partnership Extension

The company also signed a sponsorship agreement with Ian Nepomniachtchi.

PhosAgro Group, a Russian vertically integrated company and one of the world’s leading producers of phosphate-based fertilizers, decided to continue its strategic partnership with the Chess Federation of Russia (CFR). On February 5, the agreement on the partnership extension was signed by Andrey A. Guryev, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of PJSC PhosAgro, and Andrey Filatov, the CFR President, Head coach of the Russian national men's chess team. The ceremony, which took place in the Central Chess Club in Moscow, was attended by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich: "I am glad that the cooperation between PhosAgro and Chess Federation of Russia continues; it is very successful indeed. CFR is the strongest federation in the world in many terms, including the average rating of the leading players, which is very important. It is an indicator of a successful co-working with the companies that support CFR. Thus, three Russian grandmasters will take part in the FIDE Candidates Tournament. We welcome everyone in Yekaterinburg in March-April. As FIDE President, I am neutral, of course, but a chess fan's heart knows no law so I root for the Russian players at heart".  

CFR President Andrey Filatov: "I would like to thank PhosAgro as the company does a lot to develop and promote chess. This year, a lot of big international chess events are taking place in our country. One of them has already finished: the second part of the FIDE Women's World Championship Match between Ju Wenjun and Aleksandra Goryachkina was held on the Russky Island. The World Chess Olympiad, first Chess Paralympics, and FIDE Congress will take place in Khanty-Mansiysk and Moscow this summer. And of course, the FIDE Candidates Tournament will be held this spring in Yekaterinburg. Mr Dvorkovich, thanks for your trust! PhosAgro company supports all these events and certain participants". 

Andrey A. Guryev, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of PJSC PhosAgro, CFR Vice-President: "This is the tenth, jubilee, agreement between us and Chess Federation of Russia. Our company will continue to support the strongest federation and strongest chess players, to develop this intellectual sport in our country, and to help young chess players. A social direction of this support is crucial for us. I hope that 10 years of our cooperation with CFR have yielded fruit. Today we also sign an agreement with Ian Nepomniachtchi, one of the leading Russian and world grandmasters, to support him in this tough struggle, which awaits him in the Candidates Tournament. We think that the world chess crown should return to Russia!"

Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi: "First of all, I would like to thank Mr Filatov and Mr Guryev for having the opportunity to sign this sponsorship agreement through the cooperation between CFR and PhosAgro. Preparation for important competitions is a very difficult task, it's impossible to cope with it by oneself but the costs for a team are quite high. It will be easier for me now thanks to the support of such a wonderful sponsor as PhosAgro". 

A question about the state of health of the Chinese grandmasters, participants of the FIDE Candidates Tournament Ding Liren and Wang Hao was raised during the press conference. According to Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE representatives are in constant contact with these players. Both grandmasters are healthy and getting ready for the tournament. 

Photos by Vladimir Barsky