Today in Tsakhkadzor President Sargsyan was present at the opening of the What? Where? When? 14th World Championship which is attended by more than 400 players from 23 countries. The event has been organized together with the What? Where? When? International Association and is conducted under the high auspices of President Serzh Sargsyan. In the Championship, which is held in Armenia for the first time, participate also well-know players Maxim Patashov, Alexander Druz, Alexander Rubin, Andrej Kozlov and others. Armenia is represented at the championship by five teams. Until now, the championships were held in Russia, Israel, Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.
Before the commencement of the championship, President Sargsyan sat with the representatives of the teams at a tea table. On the occasion of the opening of the What? Where? When? 14th World Championship President Serzh Sargsyan gave a congratulatory address.
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President Serzh Sargsyan’s address at the opening of the What? Where? When? 14th World Championship
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Distinguished organizers and participants of the World Championship,
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I cordially welcome you to Armenia. I am very glad that the 14th World Championship is being held in our country. I recognize many familiar faces in this hall; I know many of you because I am an old fan of What? Where? When? intellectual show.
In my small birthplace – Karabakh, just as in many regions of the former, but at that time still intact Soviet Union, we were following that fascinating TV show with great interest. That way we were not only watching your enticing game but were learning about newly published books.
Today, the What? Where? When? intellectual game is still very popular in Armenia. I thank you for spreading through your game and example knowledge and interest towards the achievements of the humankind.
I am confident that the greatest and most significant resource of any country is its people, people who study, work, dream, and create, struggle and make this place a better world.
Emotional strain which is present when you are searching for the right answer before everybody’s eyes deserves great respect. It is the perfect example for young hearts. We want the young people of Armenia to be sure that all problems have their answers; it is just necessary to apply consistent, collective, hard, and rational efforts.
Allow me to once again welcome you to the most picturesque spots of Armenia – amazing Tsakhkadzor. I hope you will not only have spirited games or rather contests, but will also learn about our country, about Armenia’s history and culture. If you like it here, we will be happy to host the 15th and 16th championships too.
I wish you all high spirit and success.
Let the strongest win in a fair game.
You see, several years ago when we had included checkmate as a compulsory subject in our school program we had of course many arguments to do that. But I really liked the one presented by one of our celebrated chess players, Olympian champion Smbat Lputian. He said that chess playing teaches to win fairly and lose fairly. I would love to hear the same about this game too.
Thank you.
