Page 2 - Microsoft Word - Toernooigids SFG 2014 [v9_Nummering]

INTRODUCTION WELCOME

The road to 2014 and the celebration of the 400 year jubilee of the Groningen State University. Dear chess friends,

In 2009 the University of Groningen (RUG) celebrated its 395 year existence. I remem- Welcome to the Chess Festival Groningen in our wonderful town, the capital of
ber very well that already then we spoke about the grand jubilee five years later. the North. I hope that you are ready for our traditional chess tournament.
Would it not be challenging if ……?
As you may know, 2014 is a very special year for The University of Groningen,
In the years thereafter the Groningen Chess Festival flourished and highlights as we are celebrating our 400th anniversary. Because of our anniversary, and
founded the reputation of an interesting tournament for young, talented and because of the long-lasting and close collaboration between our university and
(inter)national chess players. This festival with a long tradition was living up to the the Chess Festival organization, we have added a special dimension to this 2014
slogan: “Groningen, City of Talent.” Chess edition, for we have invited 60 highly-qualified students from our inter-
national partner universities as special participants.
It will not be easy to surpass the tournament of 2013 which was very special, also
because of the exiting match between Jan Timman and Anatoly Karpov in the Sports events are important for social cohesion and human wellbeing. Our
Groninger Museum on the occasion of the Netherlands-Russia Year. Sports Centre offers a perfect environment for a chess tournament. At the
Sports Centre, students can not only work out physically by doing a variety of
But we are not in competition with ourselves. For 2014 we have chosen to involve sports, but they can also train their so called ‘soft skills’ in communication and
students as representatives of related universities. ‘Celebrating by giving’ is the motto team building, skills that are indispensable for their future careers and personal
by which the RUG makes it possible to present a broad international participation. We lives.
thank the RUG for this gesture. As a result of this student ‘expansion’ more youth
than ever is taken part in the festival, which makes it a remarkable edition. I am proud to say that the University of Groningen has excellent facilities in
place for top athletes. This, among other things, has contributed to the
The City of Chess Groningen Foundation’s ambition is the continuation of the outstanding results of our Olympic Medal winner and World Champion Epke
Tradition to organize a Tournament in the Christmas period for Top players, a Zonderland (horizontal bars) and Roel Boomstra, the European Draughts
Terrace for Talent and Time to come. Something to be (T)proud of. Or as Hans Champion.
Böhm, ambassador of the Foundation, says; “TinTinnabulaTing TournamenT”. We
are convinced that our mission will be accomplished. I hope you will enjoy the tournament and the social
and cultural activities that have been organized for
With trust we will hand over the organization to our successors in the coming year. you to the full. Make new friends, discover the
Groningen has enough experts to uphold this long tradition of a highly qualitative University and the City of Groningen.
tournament.
Prof. dr. Sibrand Poppema, president,
The City of Chess Groningen Foundation will focus on the promotion of this sport University of Groningen
aiming at the youth and on the development of talent within dedicated chess schools.
It will also enhance connections with art and cultural activities. This approach already
will be visible during the 2014 festival. For instance as part of the Winter Welfare
manifestation and by means of various cultural festivities during the after chess
program. A highlight of this new approach takes place
during the official opening on December 18th, when a
bronze statue will be presented to Prof. Dr. S.
Poppema, president of the Groningen State University,
a longtime promoter of the tournament and
ambassador of chess. This statue enriches not only the
State University but also the City of Groningen with
an original piece of art, winking at chess.

The road to the 2014 edition comes to an end. Let’s
celebrate together.

Jan Colly,
chairman of the City of Chess Groningen Foundation

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