The opening ceremony of the Moscow Open 2014, RSSU School Champion Cup was held the frosty morning of January 31 in the assembly hall of the RSSU main corpus. The children watched enthusiastically as circus performers entertained them for more than half an hour. After that the floor was passed to the organizers and the honored guests.

The Vice-Chairman of the Department of Physical Culture and Sport of Moscow Mr. Alexei Pyzhov  commemorated this days opening of one of the main tournaments of the festival – the School Champion Cup. He congratulated the participants for the start of the competitions and wished them success in their studies as well as the chess board. 

RSSU Pro-rector Mr. Alexei Pisarev said that the University has done its best to create excellent conditions for the participants of the competitions. He also pointed out that this year more than 700 young chess players will participate in the School Champion Cup. Almost all of Russia's regions as well as several foreign countries are represented in the tournament.

“During these days the Russian city of Sochi is becoming the center of the world sports life, and Moscow a great world chess center. And it’s great honor for me to be here and now at this event,”  declared Chairman of the FIDE Competition Organizing Commission Mr. Theodoros Tsorbatsoglou.

The Director of the Festival Mr. Alexander Kostiev has reminded that many famous chess players including grandmasters have made their first steps at these competitions. He wished good luck to all the participants and announced the Moscow Open 2014 RSSU School Champion Cup open.

The School Champion competitions will be held over the course of 9 days, with sections for boys and girls in four age categories – U9, U11, U13 and U15. The names of the winners and prize holders will be announced Feb 8, 2014.

You may watch the photos of the Opening Ceremony and the 1st Round of the Competitions here.