The Official Opening of the Olympiad took place on Monday, September 20th, 2010, in Khanty-Mansiysk.

In his welcoming speech FIDE President, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov,  emphasized that Ugra has a very rich experience with holding events and competitions of the highest levels.

“We have hosted 3 World Chess Cups and other important events.”, noted Ilyumzhinov in his message; “It is obvious that Khanty-Mansiysk deserves to host the most prominent chess event on the planet.”

As was evident from the Opening Ceremony for the Chess Olympiad, the FIDE President’s words lived up to his message with the wonderfully tremendous and spectacular show which may just be the most beautiful in history so far.

Ilyumzhinov expressed his gratitude to the Governor of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, Natalia Komarova and to the head of the Russian Chess Federation for their support. He noted that chess in Ugra is increasingly developing.

For two weeks the attention of millions of people will concentrate on Khanty-Mansiysk as it unites all of the world chess elite,” said FIDE President, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.

The participants, journalists and officials arrived in the capital of Ugra on 11 charter flights. The Ugorian land welcomed them according to the old Russian tradition, offering them bread and salt which created a festive mood for both parties.  All the guests were taken to the hotels of Khanty-Mansiysk.

The 39th World Chess Olympiad will be a record-breaker as far as the number of participants is concerned. It will unite chess players from 160 countries from all around the world, 67 foreign and 66 Russian arbiters as well as 1000 officials and representatives of the Russian and foreign media.