I heartily congratulate chess fans in uniform and veterans on New Year 2017! During my military service in the Soviet Army, I became convinced that chess was popular among soldiers, sergeants and officers.For more than 20 years, "Zvezdochka" (Russian nickname for the edition,-Ed.) holds championships for the FIDE Presidential prize. I used to present awards to winners in Kiev, the Star City, the Joint Staff, the newspaper’s editorial office and in the residence of the FIDE. Among them were veterans of the Great Patriotic War, Major of Kyakhta, Colonel of Petrozavodsk and a journalist from Labytnangi.
In the new year I wish all who value the famous since the War "Red Star" and all those, who love chess, health, happiness and success in the service of the Fatherland!
President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE)
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
