International Chess Day was celebrated in Evpatoria. The arrival of sixth FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov became a gift for the residents of the city, amateurs players and masters of chess.Those who gathered were able to speak freely with him, take pictures and get an autograph. In turn, the former FIDE President, having asked the young players many questions, learned about their dreams and the tasks that the future grandmasters set themselves.
For the contribution of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov to the development of chess, popularization and promoting the authority of the Republic of Crimea at the world level, the Crimean people offered him the post of the honorary president of the Crimean Chess Federation. Ilyumzhinov thanked them and promised to think it over.
Later, the republican Masters Tournament was launched. International Grandmaster Yuri Hayrapetyan became the winner. The second place won Sergey Trushnikov. The third place was taken by Mikhail Linker.
The second half of the day in Evpatoria, where the International Chess Day was celebrated, was also intense. The guests were able to learn the history of the city, visit St. Nicholas Cathedral, Juma-Jami Mosque, Duvan's house, Turkish baths, leave notes on the Wailing Wall in the Yegia-Kapai synagogue and observe a unique show of dervishes.
The visitor’s evening walk also turned into communication with the Evpatoria people, who recognized Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and approached him to talk.
