On September 25, the Museum of Russian Impressionism hosted the opening ceremony of the anniversary tournament in memory of the 8th World Champion Mikhail Tal in Moscow.The ceremony, which was attended by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the 10th World Champion Boris Spassky, 12th World Champion Anatoly Karpov, contender for the title of World Champion Sergey Karjakin, vice president of Savings Bank Vladimir Vorozheikin, businessman Oleg Skvortsov, and many others, began with a press conference.
After the official part, the drawing of lots of blitz tournament was carried out. Shahriyar Mammadyarov gained 7.5 points and got the fifth chess player’s number on a wall chart for the main tournament. Levon Aronian finished second with 5.5 points. Ian Nepomniachtchi, Peter Svidler and Anish Giri scored 5 points.
The general partner of the Memorial is the group of companies Avtodor. The prize fund is 200 000 USD.
On the same day Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and his son, David met with renowned Hollywood actor Steven Seagal.
