CHESS FORTRESS OF WATER

A Chess Palace. An Academy. This grand architectural facility Azerbaijan plans to build at sea is called in various ways. But whatever it is called, the building will have an unusual appearance and may rightfully stand in line with the pearls of world architecture. The palace on the water will be built near the Baku Boulevard according to the Program on the Development of Chess for 2009-2014 signed by President Ilham Aliyev. The implementation of the project prepared by an Austrian architect will begin this year and the construction is to be completed by 2015.

If the deadlines are met, the new complex may be the venue of the 2015 World Chess Cup. The tournament, considered to be the largest competition of FIDE, is to be joined by 128 grandmasters. There is traditionally great interest in it because prize-winners will be eligible to compete for the world title.

In essence, it would be correct to call the future facility an academy. There will be facilities for tournaments and training, a swimming pool, a tennis courts, a canteen and other infrastructure. The Academy will operate a chess school and host workshops and championships. The main goal is to give an impetus to the further development of chess in Azerbaijan. The Chess Federation of Azerbaijan will presumably be located here as well.

In an interview during a recent visit to Baku, the President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, said that chess in Azerbaijan was actively developing and the Academy will reveal a new generation of talented players. Ilyumzhinov also pointed to the possibility of conducting international seminars for FIDE arbiters here. Then they will have to take exams to be admitted to tournaments, and these exams will be held in the future Academy.

After reviewing the draft of the chess academy, the head of FIDE said this building would be one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the world. "I have always been pleased with the attention given to chess in Azerbaijan. The development of sports, especially chess, is always in the spotlight of President Ilham Aliyev. The President's instruction to build a chess palace on the boulevard is very gratifying. The construction of the academy will be a great event for the whole country. FIDE plans to conduct international seminars for arbiters there. By studying at the academy, young players will be able to reach high levels," Kirsan Ilyumzhinov said.

Speaking about the chess academy, the Vice-President of the Chess Federation of Azerbaijan, Mahir Mammadov, said the facility would meet all international standards. "The project of the chess academy has already been approved. For some time the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Chess Federation conducted consultations over the project. I think the academy in Baku will be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The first competition to be held in this facility will be the World Cup. I am sure that chess academy will be one of the best sports facilities of our country", Mammadov said.

There are 70 chess schools in our country now, in which 1,802 coaches train almost 35,000 children. Since 2012, the Ministry of Education has also conducted a pilot project on chess lessons in several schools.