The President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with the mayor of Kiev, a former world heavyweight boxing champion, Vitali Klitschko on 3rd of July. Both sides had a thorough discussion about the popularization of chess in the Ukrainian capital.
In particular, Mr. Klitschko has expressed interest in the annual implementation of one of the major tournaments (presumably, Grand Prix) under the guidance of FIDE in Kiev and in the establishing the chess classrooms in each of the 500 capital’s schools. He was also interested in the optional introduction of chess lessons, and in the establishment of the chess corners in all the public parks of the city. As a result, both sides technically agreed in to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation between FIDE and the Kiev mayor administration at the initiative of Ilyumzhinov (who is known to have the extraordinary diplomatic skills).
Toward the end of the meeting, Vitali Klitschko presented the honorable guest a book on Kiev with his autograph and personally invited him for a tour of the ancient city. Actually the mayor perfectly knows the Ukrainian capital, having worked there as a guide in his youth.