Feb 04 - Deputy Chief Minister Proud of Gibraltar's Status on the Chess Map
Keen chess player and staunch supporter of the Tradewise International Chess Festival Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Joseph Garcia, paid his second visit to the festival this week. On Saturday he witnessed the always-entertaining Battle of the Sexes and yesterday he saw the game in action in the Amateurs and Challengers Round 4 of week 2.
In an interview with presenter of ‘Day’s Play’ news broadcast for the festival’s website, Tania Sachdev, Dr. Garcia insisted that the Government is keen to see the Tournament develop. He praised organisers Stuart Conquest and Brian Callaghan for helping it grow.
He added, ‘having been here from the very first tournament it never ceases to impress me how people come from all over the world. As you walk through the chess hall you see names from Mongolia, Nigeria, and so many countries including Europe that it truly is impressive. It makes one proud to see we are on the chess map.’
‘It brings people to Gibraltar for a fixed period of time. It encourages them to spend money, which is good for the economy. The way chess has developed and the way it has been internationalised is what we want to continue to support.’
Dr. Garcia further highlighted the presence of chess in Gibraltar’s schools, which now host their own chess clubs as a result of the tournament.
