Gibraltar’s Minister for Economic Development Sir Joe Bossano visited the Gibraltar International Chess Festival for the very first time, officially making the first move yesterday afternoon.

Addressing the packed hall of players, he said chess was more than a sport “it was a challenge to the human intellect” and his Ministry was” delighted” to be supporting this event financially.

The first move was made on the top board where top seed Maxime Vachier-Lagrave from France was playing his first round game against IM Kiik Kalle from Estonia.

“Bringing chess to Gibraltar and bringing Gibraltar to the attention of the world is hugely important locally,” he added.

Shown round the event by Festival Director Stuart Conquest and founder Brian Callaghan he later addressed a world-wide audience on the tournament’s website describing the festival as the “most fantastic thing in Gibraltar”.

In terms of a small place such as Gibraltar he went on to say the festival was reaching out to the whole of the planet.

“You may be reaching a selective audience but it is a very important activity and it engages the human mind which goes to the very core of what we are as human beings and sets us apart.”

Sir Joe Bossano emphasised that his Ministry for Economic Development believed “the most important investment you can make is the investment in people”.

It was very important, he added, that this event was happening because its value to Gibraltar was explosive and the festival had in its short history become a global event.

Pics: Top: Sir Joe Bossano, Minister for Economic Development, made the first move on the top board yesterday at the start of the Gibraltar Masters with top seed Maxime Vachier-Lagrave from France. Currently No.6 in the world he played his first round game against IM Kiik Kalle from Estonia. Pic: David Llada.

Middle: Sir Joe Bossano is greeted by founder of the festival Brian Callaghan. Pic: David Llada.

Here’s a preview of the action coming up over the next week:

THE FESTIVAL TOURNAMENTS

THIS WEEK - Tues 22 January - Thurs 31 January

GIBRALTAR Masters (Open to all) - (10-round Swiss, FIDE rated), 3pm daily

Mon 21 January - Fri 25 January

Challengers A (Under 2250) - (5-round, Swiss, FIDE rated), daily 10am

Amateurs A (Under 1900) - (5-round, Swiss, FIDE rated), daily 10am

NEXT WEEK

GIBRALTAR Masters (Open to all) - (10-round Swiss, FIDE rated)

Sat 26 January - Wed 30 January

Challengers B  (Under 2250) - (5-round, Swiss, FIDE rated), daily 10am

Amateurs B (Under 1900) -(5-round, Swiss, FIDE rated), daily 10am

{fcomment}