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Dr. Sergiev, tell us in brief how did it happen to obtain the European Individual Championships for men and women in 2008?
In the last few years, the status of the European Championships grew instantly. I mean not only the individual but also the team championships for all ages. The number of participants grew. This led to higher demands to the organizations concerning the preparation and conduction of the championships. Expectations that the host candidates will decrease did not come true. For every European championship, there are several candidates. This gives the opportunity of the Executive Board of ECU to choose the best option.
As it is known, the Bulgarian Chess Federation was host of European Individual Championship for women in 2002, that took place in “St. Konstantin” resort near Varna, as well as the European Team Championships for men and women in Plovdiv. By that time several years passed, one managing board of the federation had changed, then another. Bulgarian chess players achieved tremendous results on the international field-in the year 2005 four of the world titles were possessed by Bulgarian players. Bulgarian chess is respected in all parts of the world nowadays. Moreover, we cannot stay away from the world’s chess life. We need actively to participate into it, not only with our players but also in organizing big chess forums at home, spreading constantly our international contacts.
Having in mind all of that in 2005 the Bulgarian Chess Federation’s managing board discussed the idea of “Lokomotiv”-Plovdiv CC to candidate again as host of some European Championship. We had two suggestions - European Individual Championships for men and women and the European Club Cup tournament. However, since the hosts for the ECC for 2008 and 2009 were already determined we competed only for European Individual Championships for men and women. Our main rival was the Turkish Chess Federation that offered the place of the championships to be Antalya. Our offer won, since it appeared financially more favorable.
Can you tell us about the preparation about this highly respectable competition?
The organization of such events is highly responsible and difficult. The main difficulties are caused by the fact that there are more than 500 chess players expected from almost all the European countries. We are obliged as organizers to offer them the best possible conditions for living and creative play. These are no ordinary tournaments. These championships need to establish the European champions on one side and on the other-they are qualifications for World championships.
After our offer was determined, I made some preliminary appointments with Mrs Vesela Lecheva- chairman of SAYS (State Agency for Youth and Sports), with Mr Dimo Zanzov - head manager of “Novotel”-Plovdiv, Mr Ivan Chomakov - mayor of Plovdiv, and Mr Todor Petkov - governor of Plovdiv region. On these appointments, I officially informed them about our host establishment, and received assurance for cooperation and support. After that, we created detailed program concerning the preparation and conducting of the championships and their financial assurance.
On 11 and 12 July in Plovdiv guests were the ECU’s general secretary Mr. Horst Metzing and ECU board’s member Mr. Vladimir Sakotic. They inspected on place the conditions that we will provide for the participants and the preparation process. On this meeting, we clarified two main questions - the amount of the price-fund for both the tournaments, as well as the quotas that shall be given for the World Championships. We suggested that the quotas on the European Championships on even and odd years are equal. Let me clarify that by now from the European men championships led in even years the first 13 players qualified for World championship, while in odd years - the first 33. We consider this wrong. The European championships should be equal during the years. There cannot be first and second-class championships. That is why we suggested that the quotas become equal. It is moreover fair, considering the fact that the price-funds of the championships in the different years are also equal. Our suggestion was accepted and confirmed on the ECU Board’s session on 25 August in Novi Sad. We proceeded to develop high-measured activities to guarantee the necessary resources for preparation and conducting of the championships. I do not want to mention too many numbers, I will only point out that the price-fund for the men championship is 100 000 EUR, and for the women - 40 000 EUR.
After all the details with ECU were cleared, we signed the contract for the championships’ organization. This was the first group of problems that had to solve in very short terms, after which the main part of the preparation started. It started with the establishment of the championships director by the Bulgarian Chess Federation. This will be Mr. Nikolay Velchev - executive director of Bulgarian Chess Federation. He will be the person who will manage all the operative work and will co-ordinate the activities of different working groups. We chose the chief-arbiter. This is the international arbiter Zdravko Nedev. He had been already an arbiter in various big championships, he has experience, and I am sure that he will do well with the hard task he will face.
We announced a contest for creation of the tournament logo. The terms for its finish had expired long time ago. Fifteen artists took part in the contest, but none of their work sufficed. Now we are urgently searching how to solve the problem since without logo it is impossible to start the tournament web page. With the help of “Novotel” Plovdiv we created a leaflet that was given to all the participants in ETTC in Crete this November. Most of them will come to Plovdiv and this was a marvelous occasion to deliver their invitations in personal. Tournament director, Mr. Velchev made various conversations and the chiefs of the working groups are already known: Milen Petrov is responsible for the online transmission, Hristo Inkiov - for the web site, for internet and bulletin - GM Ventzislav Inkiov, bulletin editor - Hristo Yovev, annotator of the former round events is IM Dejan Bojkov; manager of championships - Zhivko Zhekov, coordinators - Haralampi Vanev and Lyuben Popov. We are currently signing the contracts with “Novotel” Plovdiv and “Media Group” JSC that will provide the thorough advertising of the championships and will search for sponsors.
Although we have an experience in organizing and conducting of big chess competitions, we made encounters and took part of the experience of Turkish Chess Federation and Chess Union of Montenegro, countries that were constantly organizing prestigious chess events in the last few years. I have their assurance that they will supply us with certain assistance during the championships conducting. Normal proceeding of the European championships on high level is out of a question without the help of Plovdiv chess clubs, without the help of volunteers. These questions were discussed on the chess clubs’ meeting in Plovdiv that took place on 23 November. We reached full consensus on all questions.
What are the forthcoming activities?
We need to solve few organizing questions of high importance. I already have the agreement of Mr. Sergey Stanishev - Prime Minister of Bulgaria to become patron of the championships, to take part in both the opening and the price-giving ceremony. Chairman of organizing committee will be Mr. Petar Mutafchiev, Minister of Transport. He is a chess fan, last year he led the Bulgarian delegation for the opening ceremony of the Topalov-Kramnik match in Elista. Vice-chairmen most probably will be Mrs Vesela Lecheva - Chairman of SAYS, Mr. Slavcho Atanasov - Mayor of Plovdiv and the president of Bulgarian Chess Federation. Most of the members of the organizing committee are already established but we will announce their names when all the conversations are over. We are trying to include in the organizing committee and working groups’ people that will be involved in the job. I know that these championships are perfect fields for advertisement, but publicity needs to be deserved.
In the beginning of the year we must accomplish in finding the material base, chess sets and clocks for online translations-we need to purchase 15-20 more DGT chess boards, chessmen and clocks, and further 150 plain chess sets. In addition, to produce the score sheets and other blanks for notation; to prepare badges for players and other officials, who will take part in the competitions. But first of all we need to prepare an official invitation to all the European Chess Federations, and chess players to participate in the championships. ECU and Bulgarian Chess Federation will release the invitation.
We need to clarify the conditions on which the Bulgarian players may take part in the event. In this direction, we have full comprehension with ECU. For first time in the European championships, the participants of the event will not be obliged to accommodate in the hotels given by the organizers. This means that in the championships may take part players that send application (via their national federation) in time and pay the starting fee. Bulgarian chess players should take that chance, especially those of them that strive for IM and GM norms. We expect more than 100 GMs in the men championship. Where else will you face such a strong opposition?
Novotel Plovdiv will be host of the Bulgarian Individual Championships for men and women. Will you use this opportunity for general rehearsal?
Novotel Plodiv proved its positive attitude towards chess a long time ago. That is why we chose it as our host again. I have no doubts that everything that depends on them will be on very high level. Starting from the beginning of February there will be various chess events held in the hotel: from 2 February starts the subsequent open Bulgarian championship in memory of Georgi Tringov. In the end of February there will be the Bulgarian semi-finals for men and women and in the middle of March - the finals. We will do our best to have life transmission of the gemas from the finals, and the whole organization to be on the level of the forthcoming European championships.
In conclusion, would you like to thank in person to organizations, companies, and people who make efforts for the successful end of the championships?
I thank to all who comprehend and cooperate in the creation of good organization, and who lead the championships on high level. This is very important for both the prestige of the Bulgarian Chess Federation, as well as the prestige of the country. For the moment, I would like not to point anyone since we are in the beginning of a long way. I will give my sincere thanks on 4 May 2008 when we officially close the championships.