09.02.2021

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov congratulates Yuri Averbakh on his 99th birthday

On February 8, 1922, a remarkable chess player was born in Kaluga, a leader of the Russian and international chess movement; International Grandmaster, Chess Composer, International Chess Arbiter, Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR Yuri Lvovich Averbakh.

First President of Kalmykia, sixth President of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov congratulated Yuri Lvovich Averbakh on his 99th birthday.

“Dear Yuri Lvovich! I sincerely and heartily congratulate you on your birthday! Throughout your life, you have earned the right to be called an indisputable chess legend, a genius of the national chess. More than one generation of Soviet schoolchildren has gone through your "Chess School"!

I always remember your words: “I did not strive to become a champion in chess, for me the main thing for me was to learn the deep essence of our game, its development and formation, an amazing history ... Chess can be useful for almost everyone. Any of us can find in it something of our own, interesting for ourselves. People get great moral satisfaction from its knowledge. I can say that I studied it all my life and continue to study to this day!" These words are an important measure not only of the chess game, but also of life for me.

Yuri Lvovich, I am very glad that you continue to work a lot, write and give lectures. I am proud that you continue to serve your favourite chess art, to which you have dedicated your life.

I wish you good health, longevity, good luck and new achievements!"