Georgian chess expert named European Chess Union president

Georgian chess Grandmaster Zurab Azmaiparashvili has been elected as president of the European Chess Union (ECU).

The elections, held last night in Tromso, Norway, saw Azmaiparashvili gain the vote from 33 Union members, while his rival, former ECU president Silvio Danailov of Bulgarian, gained votes from 18 members.

The elections were part of the 41st world Chess Olympiad 2014, which is being held in Tromso over two days. It is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious chess events. Men’s and women’s teams from Georgia are participating in the event.

Georgia’s Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Levan Kipiani was in Tromso and congratulated Azmaiparashvili on his election victory.

Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili also revealed official statement, where he congratulates Azmaifarashvili his success.

"I warmly congratulate you on your victory in the presidential elections of the European Chess Union. I congratulate this success to all Georgian Chess players, European fans of this beautiful sport.” In the statement said.

Azmaiparashvili is a chess Grandmaster and has enjoyed a successful career. According to the September 2010 World Chess Federation list, he had an Elo rating of 2637, making him 114th in the world and the second best in Georgia.

Azmaiparashvili was a World Chess Federation Senior Trainer in 2004 and has worked with now-retired world champion Garry Kasparov, against whom he also lost a match of rapid and blitz games 0.5-5.5 in 2003.

As well as playing the game, Azmaiparashvili is active in chess politics and is the president of the Georgian Chess Federation, a board member of the European Chess Union and vice president of the International Chess Federation.

In August 2009, he was appointed as captain of Azerbaijani Chess team and won the European Team Chess Championship in Novi Sad.