"Armenia is the first country in the world that introduced chess as a subject to school curriculum. Following the example of Armenia, other countries also began to introduce chess to school curriculum... Armenia Chess Federation, Chess Academy became the flagship and the centre for development of chess for many countries of the world," Ilyumzhinov noted.
After opening of the research institute, Armenian President and head of FIDE played chess which ended in a draw.
It is worth mentioning that the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and the President of the International Chess Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov also played chess in Moscow in 2016. Serzh Sargsyan won at that time.
"Serzh Sargsyan is not only my friend, but also my rival on the chessboard. I am pleased that the president of the Armenian Chess Federation, the president of Armenia is not only a brilliant player on the political board, but also on the chessboard," Ilyumzhinov said.
17.02.2018
Ilyumzhinov: "Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is not only my friend but also a chessboard opponent"
Today’s opening of the research institute "Chess" in Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University in Yerevan is a turning point in the development of the chess movement, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov told journalists in Yerevan on February 9.
"This is the world's first research institute that will clarify how chess affects the development and progress of an individual, how chess will help develop personality and intellectual potential," Kirsan Ilyumzhinov said.
