The 2008 China Nanjing Grand Masters in International Chinese Chess Invitational Tournament—the only highest level international chess tournament of China was opened in Nanjing. Xu Jialu, vice chairman of the 10th Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, announced the opening of the tournament. Wang Yonghong, Vice Mayor of Nanjing, was the host and the following attended the opening ceremony: Xiao Min, Chief Assistant of General Administration of Sports and Vice Chairperson of China Olympics Committee, Ding Jiemin, Vice Chief of Standing Committee of the Provincial Congress, Jiang Hongkun, Mayor of Nanjing, Liang Zhirong, Secretary General of International Chess Association, Boris Kutin, Chairman of European Chess Union, Prince Saltan, Chairman of Asian Chess Union and Jin Shi, Deputy Chief of Standing Committee of Municipal People’s Congress, etc.

On behalf of the General Administration of Sports and China Olympics Committee, Xiao Min extended the heartfelt congratulations to the opening of the tournament. She said that as one of the most influential tournaments in the field of international intelligence contest, it attracted eye sights of chess fans worldwide and it could help chess plays all over the world lean from each other. It is a high-level international contest which can promote world friendships and cultural communications between eastern and western worlds. The General Administration of Sports and China Olympics Committee both support the tournament with great minds and wish it a great success.

The tournament is co-organized by Nanjing Municipal government and Chess Administration Center of the General Administration of Sports. The government of Pukou District and Nanjing Administration of Sports are in charge of it. Grand masters in international chess from 6 countries attended the world high-level and high-standard contest. The 10-day tournament started on December 11 in the Pearl Spring Park in Pukou.

Guests enjoyed the wonderful art performance “Friendship & Chess Playing in Stone City” after the opening ceremony. (Nanjing Daily)