The Women’s World Chess Team Championship 2015 was officially opened

At the start of the ceremony Vice Mayor of Chengdu Government, Mr. Fu.Yonglin welcomed all players and team leaders in Chengdu: “On behalf of Chengdu Municipal Government and 14 million hospitable local citizens, I would like to extend my warm welcome to all the players and team leaders and my sincere gratitude to FIDE and Board and Card Games Administrative Center of General Administration of Sport in China for their great support! I sincerely hope that this event can construct a platform for Chengdu to further exchange communication and cooperation with the world, and improve chess skills all around the world”

FIDE Vice-President D.V. Sundar expresses his gratitude to the organizers for hosting the WWCTC and FIDE Presidential Board Meeting in Chengdu and wished good luck to all players.

IM Shen Yang delivered her speech on behalf of the Women’s National Team of China.The Chief Arbiter of the tournament Panagiotis Nikolopoulos conducted the ceremony of drawing of lots. The top players from each team were invited to the stage and proposed to choose a toy of panda, one of the most recognized animals from China, regarded as a symbol for friendship and peace.

Zhansaya Abdumalik from Kazakhstan chose the number 1 for her team.

The first round will be played on Sunday, April 19th at 15:00 local time. The pairings of the first round are:

Kazakhstan – India
Ukraine – Poland
United States of America – Egypt
Georgia – Russia

After many years of absence one of the best women players in the world Humpy Koneru will play for the Indian team. On the right: WGM Soumya Swaminathan

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General Secretary of CCA, Mr. Ye Jiangchuan has officially opened the championship.

Players of Chinese team with the captain Yu Shaoteng and seven-times China National Women’s Champion, Liu Shilan.

After the opening ceremony the captains meeting took place at the future playing venue.

The Chief Arbiter Panagiotis Nikolopoulos explained the captains the details of the regulations and the tournament conditions. The regulations of the WWCTC are here https://www.fide.com/fide/handbook.html?id=103&view=article

The city of Chengdu in China is hosting the Women’s World Chess Team Championship from April 18th to 28. The organizers are Chinese Chess Association, FIDE World Chess Federation, with the support of Board and Card Administrative Center of General Administration of Sport of China and Chengdu Municipal Government.