Opening Ceremony of European Youth Grand Prix

The solemn opening ceremony of European Youth Grand Prix second leg took place yesterday at newly opened Jermuk Ashkarh hotel complex. The governor of Vayots Dzor region, President of Vayots Dzor chess federation Harutyun Sargsyan, first vice-president of Armenian Chess Federation, founder-president of Chess Academy of Armenia Smbat Lputyan, the tournament director Gennady Nesis, Mayor of Jermuk Vardan Hovhannisyan, Parliament Member Ashot Arsenyan, Executive Director of Armenian Chess Federation Hrachik Tavadyan were present at the ceremony. Gennady Nesis and Smbat Lputyan greeted the participants in their welcome speeches. In particular Mr. Nesis mentioned that for 15 years he has been organizing World Youth Stars international tournament and he always wished to make tournament bigger and more global. Eventually this year, in cooperation with ECU he transformed the tournament into 3 leg European Grand Prix. The first one was held in Kirishi in May, second one launched today in Jermuk and third one will be held again in Kirishi in 2018. Mr. Nesis expressed his gratitude to ECU president Zurab Azmaiparashvili and founder-president of Chess Academy of Armenia Smbat Lputyan for making the tournament possible.

Smbat Lputyan mentioned that this is the third big international chess tournament that is being held in Jermuk in 2017. And year by year Jermuk is becoming a chess city. After that the drawing lots was held.

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