“It is no exaggeration to say that the Moscow Open is not only the most important event in the sports life of Moscow, but in recent years it has become the largest chess tournament in the world. Every year it increases by 200-300 participants,” - said Vladimir Palikhata the President of the Moscow Chess Federation in his opening speech. Vladimir Mironovich thanked all the partners - the Russian State Social University, Moscow Sport Committee, Russian Chess Federation - for supporting the Moscow Open, highlighting Vasily Zhukov, RSSU rector and founder, who laid the foundation of this festival and has done a lot for its development. “In the beginning of the ceremony music was played. All the great generals before the battles would listen to music. I wanted music to also inspire the participants of the festival to win.“ – concluded the President of MCF.
Kind words to the participants and guests from the scene were given by Alexey Pyzhov, the deputy head of the Moscow Sport Committee, Sergey Naumenkov, the RSSU vice-chancellor, and Alexander Kostiev, tournament director.
The capital's popular artists' art was displayed at the beginning of the ceremony in front of chess players. “I am pleased that the tournament involved our friends from abroad. We will make sure the tournament was held at the very highest level,” - said Sergey Naumenkov. He spoke about it at the drawing ceremony and held a news conference at RIA Novosti. Vladimir Palikhata, the President of Moscow Chess Federation and RSSU graduate grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi took part in the opening ceremony. Ian pulled a black pawn, and now the favorite of the festival will open tournaments with Black.
“Commonwealth of University and Sports Committee and Moscow Chess Federation has created a unique structure. It is a wonderful platform to share experiences between participants, judges, organizers. Such festivals can take place not only in Moscow but also in other Russian cities. We are very pleased that International Chess Federation supports the RSSU Cup Moscow Open. At this festival there is one of the leaders of the FIDE, Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou said Alexander Kostiev.
At the end of the ceremony Vladimir Palikhata announced Cup International Chess RSSU Moscow Open 2013 like an open and more than 800 players went to the chess board to start the fight for the medals competition.