CHESS NEWS BLOG: chessblog.com

USA's Top Daily Chess News Blog, Informative, Fun, and Positive

hosted by Chess Queen™ & 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk

 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Turkey-Pakistan in Chess Pact for Friendly Chess Exchange

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,
The Turkish Chess Federation (TCF) and Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP) have signed an agreement for promotion and development of chess in Pakistan. Both countries will be playing an annual chess series in Turkey and Pakistan. Besides, TCF will also help Pakistan in coaching and training during their visit to that country. The agreement was signed by TCF Chief Ali Nihat Yazici, who is also a Vice President of World Chess Federation (FIDE), and Director Tariq Rasheed Khan on behalf of Chairman Khurshid Hadi, who is in London.

“Pakistan is a brotherly country and we would be looking forward to their progress in chess with our assistance”, Ali Nihat Yazici, said in a statement. As per the agreement, a 10-member team of men and women with an official will be visiting each other’s country with the host country providing board and lodging and transport during their stay in the country.

“We are absolutely delighted with this agreement,” Tariq said while releasing the details of the agreement on Tuesday. Turkey has over 30 Grandmasters (GM), dozens of International Masters (IM), five foreign coaches and 60,000 chess teachers in schools. “It’s a major breakthrough for us as Turkey is a highly rated country in the world of chess. Exposure against their players will help us in greatly improving our game,” said Mahmood Lodhi, Pakistan’s record 13-time national champion and an IM. “Regularly playing against top Turkish players may help me realise my dream of reaching the GM level,” Lodhi said. IM Shahzad Mirza, who is also a former Secretary General, Chess Federation of Pakistan, said India, Iran, Turkey and Bangladesh had many GMs, but Pakistan had failed to produce one in the last 15 years.

“This agreement for visits of chess teams on yearly basis will provide significant push to the game of chess in Pakistan,” he said.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel

Labels: , , , ,

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Contract Signed for Chess Olympiad in Istanbul

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

FIDE Vice President Georgios Makropoulos and the President of Turkish Chess Federation Ali Nihat Yazici signed a contract on holding the 40th World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.
 
According to Chessdom the ceremony was attended by a number of officials including FIDE Treasurer Nigel Freeman. Let us remind you that Turkey won the right to organise the Chess Olympiad 2012 at the FIDE congress in Dresden. Particularly, Makropoulos said, "I have visited 90 countries so far. I think Istanbul is the most beautiful city among the cities I have seen. Turkish Chess Federation is currently the biggest chess federation in the world and with a huge gap between the second. With the support of Ministry of Sport and Türkiye İş Bankası, I am confident that we will organise this Olympiad perfectly."

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com

Labels: , , ,