On August 20, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived in Harare where he met with the Vice President and Acting President of Zimbabwe Phelekezela Mphoko. The parties discussed the opportunities for the development of chess in the country. Then Ilyumzhinov awarded Mr. Mphoko with the Golden Sign of FIDE for his attention to the development of chess.Further, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, having played a friendly game of chess with Makhosini Hlongwane and visited the National Heroes Monument, held talks with the Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokor. During the conversation, the Minister approved the “Chess in Schools” programme, as he was convinced of its effectiveness during his recent visit to the Republic of Armenia where he thoroughly acquainted himself with the compulsory chess education.
After that, the head of FIDE spoke at the opening ceremony of the Interschool African Championship, in which more than 150 children from 10 countries take part. The first move of the tournament was made by the Vice President of Zimbabwe Phelekezela Mphoko.
