On January 31 the Opening Ceremony of the11th edition of the Moscow Open 2015, RSSU Cup was held in the assembly hall of Russian State Social University. Organizers and dignitaries congratulated participants on the start of the grand chess festival.

The first Deputy Head of the physical culture and sports department of Moscow Nikolay Gulyaev, the 12th World Champion Anatoly Karpov, the RSSU rector Natalia Pochinok, European Chess Union Secretary General Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou and the first Vice-President of the Moscow Chess Federation Nikita Kim greeted all present.

Nikolay Gulyaev wished luck and beautiful games upon all the participants. Anatoly Karpov joined him, expressing his hope that chess players will show a magnificent performance and will be delighted with the forthcoming games. The 12th World Champion named the Moscow Open as one of the most mass and impressive tournaments in the chess history of Russia and Europe.

“It’s a great honor for me to be here today, in this wonderful university, in the great country famous for its chess traditions. Even now, this tournament is one of the biggest in the world. I know, the RSSU rector Natalia Pochinok is planning to broaden the tournament program. We are even discussing the possibility of including the Men’s and Women’s European Championships within the frames of the festival next year,” – Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou said.

Nikita Kim read out the welcoming letter of the press-secretary of the Russian Federation President, Chairman of the board of trustees of the Chess Federation of Russia Dmitry Peskov. The Vice-President of the Moscow Chess Federation also thanked Natalia Pochinok. Without her this festival wouldn’t exist.

“This chess festival is the biggest in terms of number of participants. This year 1,800 chess players representing 30 countries participate in the tournament. Despite the economic situation, despite the relations between the countries,  chess becomes the language of the world and attracts all smart and talented people, - Natalia Pochinok remarked. – I would like to say “Thank you” to the General Sponsor of our tournament, without whom this chess festival's organization may well have been a failure. This is the Liga Stavok company. I would also like to thank all the chess powers of the country, from year to year helping the Russian State Social University to organize such an outstanding tournament at the highest possible standard. Skipping a bit ahead, I would like to wish all of us to establish a new world record in the number of participants and the number of bright events within the frames of the festival, inside the walls of the Russian State Social University.”

The Opening Ceremony traditionally continued on with talent numbers. Performances included merry drummers, ballet dancers portraying a chess composition to the music of Sergey Prokofiev, and singers with fiery songs.

After the Opening Ceremony the chess players went to the neighbor building, where hot chess battles ensued. And Natalia Pochinok, Anatoly Karpov, Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou and Nikita Kim took part in the briefing and answered the journalists' questions.

An exhibition lightning tournament among the organizers and dignitaries was held once the official business concluded. Multiple Champion of Europe and Russia, triple Olympic Champion with the Russian National Team and  RSSU alumnus Valentina Gunina was among them. Valentina played a most interesting game in whuch friendship was the winner against Anatoly Karpov, and then the grandmaster helped Natalia Pochinok to achieve an amicable result in her game with Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou.

The festival started on a big note, but most interesting is what lies in store. Follow the tournament results and participant games on the festival's official website.