20 July 2018

RCF President Andrey Filatov Congratulates Chess Players on Their Professional Holiday

International Chess Day is celebrated on July 20th.

Dear chess professionals and amateurs!

Almost 100 years ago, on July 20th 1924, a group of enthusiasts created the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in Paris. Four decades later, UNESCO declared this day a holiday, and today the International Chess Day is being celebrated for the 53rd time. 

Like the world around us, chess is changing all the time still being a part and parcel for hundreds of millions people in Russia and the world. Chess favours an intellectual development of children and strengthens friendly relations between countries and nations: the fifth Russia-China Match of Friendship, which finished some days ago, adds more ammunition to it. Chess prolongs an active longevity: taking the occasion, I would like to congratulate the Russian veterans on their new brilliant victory at the World Team Senior Championship! 

An incessant work of enthusiasts, support of sponsors, and successes of our athletes lead to creation of new tournaments and various chess events. New chess classes and sections are being opened, RCF's programs "Chess in Orphanages" and "Chess in Schools" are present in a growing number of regions. 

I congratulate all chess players on our holiday with all my heart and I wish you new victories on the chess board and in life!
 

RCF President, FIDE Vice-President,  Head coach of the Russian national men's chess team
Andrey Filatov