Opening ceremony of "Champions' Battle" tournament held in Azerbaijan

The opening ceremony of the "Champions' Battle" tournament, jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Chess Federation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the National Carpet Museum, has taken place.

According to "Report", the event was attended by the Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov, the President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Arkady Dvorkovich, and the President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation (ACF) Mahir Mammadov.

The director of the museum, Amina Melikova, greeted the event participants and chess players:

"Today is an important day for all of us. The "Baku Open - 2025" Chess Festival has also started in our country. And for the first time, the "Champions' Battle" tournament is being organized in the Carpet Museum".

Then, a promotional video of the competition was shown.

The President of the ACF, Mahir Mammadov, wished the participants of the competition success:

"I thank the National Carpet Museum and the Ministry of Culture for the organization".

A. Dvorkovich noted that art and chess came together in one place:

"I hope the chess players will enjoy their games".

Later, a commemorative gift was presented to the FIDE President and the President of the Turkish Chess Federation, Fethi Apaydin.

It should be noted that the "Champions' Battle" tournament will be held until April 30 at the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum. Azerbaijani grandmaster Rauf Mammadov will face Uzbekistani Rustam Kasimdzhanov.

In another match, the Azerbaijani champion Gunay Mammadzada will clarify relations with the world and European champion Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria).