The world championship in rapid chess began on October 10 in Berlin. In his welcoming speech the head of the International chess Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov greeted all the guests and participants. Then they performed the national anthems of Germany and FIDE. The press conference was held during the break between the first and second round. In it, in addition to the two presidents of FIDE, was attended by President of the German Chess Union Herbert Bashtian and 10th world champion Boris Spassky. The speakers shared their views on the tournament, about magnificent opening ceremony, and about plans for the future. As always, inimitable sense of humor flashed in public, Boris Spassky.
Then Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and members of the Appeals Committee - Fridrik Olafsson, Javier Ochoa, Oleg Zhuravsky and Nigel Freeman - moved into the gaming room, where watched the chess battles.
The event aroused great interest. It was attended by more than 150 well-known chess players of the planet. All tickets at Festival Hall Bolle Meierei were sold out in advance.
