Welcome message by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov

Dear participants and guests of the World School Championships 2013!
Dear chess friends!

On behalf of the leadership of the World Chess Federation and its Presidential Board I would like to express our sincere greetings to the participants & guests of World School Championship 2013.

We are very happy that this event is once again organized in Greece and especially Halkidiki a traditional chess area with a lot of successful events in the previous years.

FIDE in co-operation with national federations and school associations is systematically developing Scholastic chess which is very important for our sport popularity and the same time chess is one of the most useful tools for the young students.

We learn the most important things in our life “not studying, but playing”. Chess is the utmost game – sport, from the viewpoint of its strategic nature and its educational and pedagogic value.

It is always been exciting watching so many young chess players competing for titles and medals. I also would like that this wonderful and prestigious championship would promote the further development of the royal game and coming into existence of new chess stars, born here at this hospitable land of Greece!

On behalf of FIDE, I would like to thank, ISCU, Greek Chess Federation, the FIDE Chess Academy of Thessaloniki and all sponsors for their efforts in order to hold these Championships successfully.

Wishing all players and guests an enjoyable stay in Porto Carras, I hope all participants will produce tremendous games and will contribute a lot to make these World School Championship an unforgettable event.

Gens una sumus! – We are one family!

Best regards,
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
FIDE President