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Mr. Dragasevic, what are your impressions from Plovdiv?
First of all I would like to say that we are here once again, engendering our relation with our friends from Bulgarian Chess Federation. Plovdiv is beautiful town and Bulgarian chess has long tradition. Conditions in Novotel Plovdiv are really good and Championship is very strong.
Chess Federation of Montenegro very often is organizing international chess events. We know that Montenegro is young and not so big country. Please tell us how you are finding capabilities for such organization?
In Chess Federation of Montenegro, even before Montenegro became independent country, we realized that organization of big international chess events is one of the most effective and cheaper way for promotions of Montenegro as attractive tourist, culture and sport destination. We have full support of Montenegro Government and Montenegrin Olympic Committee.
Here in Plovdiv you announced your candidature for the host of Chess Olympiad 2012. Is it one more step of promoting Montenegro?
Exactly, its well know that we were candidate among five others candidates for host of Chess Olympiad 2010 and that we lost in finale against Khanty Mansisk with very tight result 81:74. We don’t know who will be other candidates this time, but in that “competition” once again we are going with our trumps: reach chess tradition, hospitality, excellent hotels, nature beauty, conditions for all participants…We will see how it would be evaluated by delegates this time.
On very successful presentation which you had here, it was clear that you have support from many respectable people from chess world?
That is also one of our trump. Many important names from chess world are respecting Montenegro and Montenegro’s chess. It would be our great pleasure, even advantage, if in campaign for host of Olympiad 2012 we receive support from world chess names from Bulgaria – Veselin Topalov and Antoaneta Stefanova!
Are you satisfy with result of Balkan Chess Federations meeting?
In principle I am. It was very creative meeting. If we realize all what we agreed, our association will legitimate our role and our being. I would like to see and other Balkan Federations to adjoin to this project seriously as Federations which representatives were present in Plovdiv. I hope that like that will be at the next meeting in Herceg Novi.
At the end of your stay you signed Protocol about cooperation with Bulgarian Chess Federation. What magnitude has this protocol for your Federation?
At the moment of signing I told that this act is big compliment for our Federation. Bulgaria is country with long tradition, big events and great chess players, world champions. I think that from this cooperation we can learn but also we can give a lot in the field of event organization , arbitrage and publishing. Cooperation of these two Federations started successful with this Championship and only what I can say is that I wish this cooperation to continue on this way in the future!
Thank you, Mr. Dragasevic!
Interview by GM Venzislav Inkiov