Press release by FIDE
Players, guests and accompanying persons enjoyed a wonderful gala of traditional music and dance, backed by a screening of historical images of Georgian women's chess.
Beautified by a magnificent crystal chandelier, the 600-seat Batumi Drama Theatre hosted this evening the opening ceremony of the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup, with the prominent presence of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.
The King‘s Indian Attack is a universal opening: easy to learn, flexible, and rich in both tactical and positional opportunities.Together with the other main authorities and guests, most of the 107 players from 46 countries who will compete in the third edition of this tournament, enjoyed a relaxing evening of music and dance before the battle commences tomorrow on the chessboard.
At the same time, the host's voice could be hear, loud and clear, first in Georgian and then in English: "Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning the official opening ceremony of the FIDE Women's World Cup!". A projection of the Georgian flag appeared on the curtain, and the Georgian national anthem was played, followed by the FIDE Anthem.
The orchestra played their first piece – "I used to rule the world" by Coldplay - followed by the "Khorumi", a traditional Georgian war dance. The dancers performing the Khorumibrought out the flags: the Georgian flag, the FIDE flag and the flag of Adjara.
The presenter hosts welcomed the guests and affirmed that the prestigious event is organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Georgian Chess Federation, with the generous support of the Ministry of Sport of Georgia, the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, the Batumi City Hall, the Ministry of Health of Adjara, and the Department of Tourism and Resorts of Adjara.
They stated that the FIDE Women's World Cup stands as one of the most significant and prestigious competitions on the global chess calendar, uniting the world's strongest and most accomplished female chess players under one roof, and for Georgia, it is a profound honour to host an event of such scale and prestige, reaffirming Georgia's outstanding contribution to the global advancement and promotion of chess, and underscoring the country's esteemed position within the international chess community.
In this insightful video course, Grandmaster David Navara shares practical advice on when to calculate deeply in a position — and just as importantly, when not to.
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Akaki Iashvili, President of the Georgian Chess Federation and Special Tasks Director of the FIDE Management Board, took the stage and welcomed everyone on behalf of the Georgian Chess Federation.
He extended a special and heartfelt greeting to Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE and a true friend of Georgia, who had arrived in Batumi a few days before and awarded the winners of the U-8-U12 World Cup. Akaki also warmly acknowledged the presence of Mahir Mammedov, Vice President of FIDE.
His speech was delivered with passion and determination:
It is a matter of great pride that Georgia is hosting the FIDE Women's World Cup for the very first time. We are equally proud that seven Georgian players are competing in this elite field, representing our country with distinction. Between 1962 and 1991, Nona Gaprindashvili and Maia Chiburdanidzeheld the title of Women's World Champion. In the decades since, Georgia has hosted numerous high-level FIDE and European tournaments, including the 2018 Chess Olympiad, and has developed extensive experience in organising international competitions of the highest standard.
We are fully committed to ensuring that all participants have the best possible environment to compete, excel, and enjoy their time in Georgia.
Akaki Iashvili also thanked all the supporters of the event:
On behalf of the Georgian Chess Federation, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Sport of Georgia, the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, and the Batumi City Hall for their invaluable support in making this event possible. I wish all participants an inspiring tournament and every success - both on and off the chessboard.
Amidst a round of applause, Akaki Iashvili invited FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich to the stage. True to his style, the FIDE President was brief and to the point, with his singular sense of humour.
First, he expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Culture of Adjara, the development company Horizons Group, and the Batumi State Drama Theatre for supporting the opening ceremony. He continued:
It's good to be back. I was performing my first tasks as FIDE President in the Batumi 2018 Olympiad, and hopefully, it won't be the last time I am here! Batumi is one of the best places to organise a World Cup, and I am glad that we have put our trust in the Georgian Chess Federation. You will all experience the traditional hospitality of the organising team, the best playing conditions, and continue the tradition of the Georgian chess school and all the women champions.
It won't be easy, there is tough competition, but I trust that you will be role models for all the young girls who try to do their best. We need you to show your enjoyment for playing chess, so that the younger kids who won the medals last week can improve and have fun, and maybe in the long run take your places. That would be a success story.
FIDE Vice President Mahir Mammedov joined Chief Arbiter Mahdi Abdulrahim on the stage for the drawing of lots, to decide which colour would lead on board one. Two bottles of Georgian wine, red and white, defined that the players with the odd number will have black in the first game of round one.
In this video course, experts (Pelletier, Marin, Müller and Reeh) examine the games of Judit Polgar. Let them show you which openings Polgar chose to play, where her strength in middlegames were, or how she outplayed her opponents in the endgame.After the speeches, the audience enjoyed a display of the very best Georgian music and dance performances.
Firstly, the renowned and century-old State Ensemble of Song and Dance of Adjara – Arsiani, joined by Luka Chanisvhili, performed a traditional Georgian folk song.
Next, the exceptional voice of Georgia, Archil Gogitidze, performed "My way", accompanied by the Georgian Women's Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Davit Mazanashvili.
During these beautiful performances, the audience saw inspiring footage from Georgia's chess history, from the second half of the 20th century onward, in which Georgian women have shined brightly on the world chess stage.
The youth dancers of the Arsiani State Academic Ensemble were invited to the stage to perform a traditional Georgian dance, followed by the proud voice of Georgia, SophoKhalvashi, who performed the song "My Secret".
With the gala arriving to the end, the next musical performance was the famous Georgian duet, Rusa Tavartkiladze and Luka Chanisvhili, and the evening ended in splendour with the young tenor Irakli Korifadze and the Georgian Women's Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Davit Mazanashvili, performing the classic "Nessun Dorma".
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