Today, on the premises of the University Library in Split, the opening ceremony of the chess festival for young children "Adriatic 2016" was held under the world's leading chess treasury "Kasparov Chess Foundation".
The festival brought together 70 players from 10 countries and as such, has grown into Europe's leading unofficial chess tournament for youth. The opening ceremony was enjoyed by a crowd of children and also attended by the former world chess champion Garry Kasparov.
The director of the festival is chess grandmaster Zlatko Klarić, and the festival runs from August 24th to 27th. The festival itself will consist of three tournaments, with each tournament being played in four categories (10, 12, 16 and 20).
Adriatic 2016 is a project that promotes chess in schools to support the Ministry of Science, Education, and Sports of the Republic of Croatia, allowing students free chess teachings on the model developed by the Kasparov Chess Foundation.
The goal of this foundation is for Croatia to become a regional chess center, with hopes to grow each year - last year’s festival had about 30 participants from 3 countries, and this year there are 70 participants from 10 countries.
With intentions for some of the young chess players to become professionals, this event is a stepping stone for growth.
The festival organizers are the University of Split, Garry Kasparov Foundation Adriatic, Croatia CRO UNUM and Chess club e4, with the organizing committee consisting of Prof. dr. Šimun Anđelinović, Rector of the University of Split, Garry Kasparov, prof. dr. Dragan Primorac, former Minister of Science, Education and Sports (2003rd to 2009th) and president of the Croatian humanitarian organization "Cro Unum", prof. dr. Boris Maleš, dean of the University of Split and Stenko Dell'Orco, director of the Student Center.
