On May 8, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived in the capital of the Sultanate of Oman Muscat, where he held talks with the leadership of the chess federation of the country and discussed the topical issues of the development and promotion of chess.

Later, FIDE President took part in the solemn opening ceremony of the chess championship among schoolchildren and afterwards, together with the organizers of the event, attended the tournament hall, where he watched the game with interest.