Confrontation on the Moldovan chessboard

International Grandmaster Viorel Iordachescu expressed his disappointment at not being invited at the international festival in the memory of Veaceslav Cebanenco, Info-Prim Neo reports. “It’s strange I wasn’t on the participants lists, especially considering I as Veaceslav Cebanenco’s disciple between 1990 and 1997”, Iordachescu declared at a press conference organized on Wednesday, February 22. Viorel Iordachescu says he hasn’t received any explanation yet from the National Chess Federation, despite several discussions with its chairman Igor Dodon. “I get the feeling some chess players are preferred by the National Federation, while others are not”, said the reputed Moldovan chess player. The Veaceslav Cebanenco Memorial was won by International Grandmaster Viorel Bologan. Viorel Iordachescu hopes such unpleasant situations won’t occur in the future, considering the upcoming European Championship and the World Chess Olympiad. Iordachescu, chairman of the National Chess Academy, regrets that his disciples were denied a simul with world champion Antoli Karpov. The Russian was invited at the Veaceslav Cebanenco Memorial Festival. “They told us that students at the National Academy aren’t prepared enough. I think this violates the rights of the National Chess Academy”, added Stefan Rusu, manager of the Academy. Despite all the differences, the Academy schedule wasn’t affected. The Ambassador’s Cup will be organized on February 25 with the participation of representatives of diplomatic missions in Moldova. The national championship for pupils will take place between March 2 and 11.