Batumi bound..!

Ten Zimbabwean chess players, two captains and two officials left for Georgia’s Black Sea Batumi, for the 43rd World Chess Olympiad on Friday the 21st of September 2018.

The massive biennial event is running from September 23 (Opening ceremony) to October 6.

The team departed from the country in the afternoon of the 21st of September aboard a South African Airways flight and arrived the following day.

Zimbabwe team
Men: Emarald Mushore, Spencer Masango, Rodwell Makoto, Thabo Elisha and Zhemba Jemusse.

Ladies: Christine Makwena, Kudzanayi Charinda, Colleta Wakuruwarewa, Paida Zengeni and Nomalungelo Mathe.

Ladies Captain Fungirayini Mushaninga.

Teams Manager: Simbarashe Murimi

Head of Delegation: Acting ZCF Vice President Clive Mphambela.

Team Zimbabwe checked in to the Hotel San’apiro at around 4pm on Saturday the 22nd of September after a long journey to Batumi Georgia…

*Spectacular Opening Ceremony of the 43rd Chess Olympiad in Batumi*

Saturday, 22 September

The 43rd Chess Olympiad was opened with a solemn but highly entertaining ceremony, held at the Black Sea Arena, attended by the players, captains and officials of the 185 participating countries.

The ceremony started with a play re-enacting the legend of the invention of chess and the famous “wheat and chessboard problem” and then the Goodwill Ambassadors of the 43rd Chess Olympiad addressed the guests through video messages.

On the stage in the Black Sea Arena the speeches were delivered by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Georgia Mr Mikheil Batiashvili , Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara Mr Tornike Rizhvadze , FIDE Deputy President Mr Georgios Makropoulos , and President of Georgia Mr Giorgi Margvelashvili.

Mr Makropoulos delivered an impressive speech, stressing the need for a new era of politically and financially independent FIDE and presenting a very positive vision.

“I am certain that the Organizing Committee will do everything possible to have one of the best Chess Olympiads in the history.” Mr Makropoulos said, adding “FIDE, National Chess Federations, chess players, we must all demand the best for our sport, for our game and for the image of FIDE worldwide. We have great weapons in this fight! Famous chess champions, new technologies, Chess in Schools and of course the national chess federations, who work very hard and with great dignity to develop chess in their countries!”

Mr Makropoulos opened the Olympiad: “I declare the games open, celebrating the 43rd Batumi Chess Olympiad!”