Inspiring battles at Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities
Following two days of competition, there are now six teams with a perfect score. However, for many, the socialising aspect and the atmosphere seem to be the most significant factor.
The second day of the Olympiad started with the first move ceremony, carried out by Darija Kisic Tepavcevic, a doctor and epidemiologist who is currently serving as the Serbian minister of family welfare and demography.
As a doctor, Darija Kisic Tepavcevic was intrigued by the event and discussed with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich how chess benefits people with disabilities. During the conversation, she posed a curious question – are the players in the event matched by their disability? That is a fair point as, arguably, a person with a hearing impairment is not in the same position as someone who is visually impaired or suffering from a severe physical disability.