 Perhaps the top two places were already determined before the fifth and the last round but the race for the third place behind Europe and Asia was on. The two contenders, Russia-Turkey and Americas, were playing against each other and the winner of the match would get the third place. It was a very hard-fought battle which after some exciting moments ended up in a tie: 3-3. This meant Team Americas has secured the third place with 4 points, one point short of Team Asia who played the tournament without rest day only to finish one day earlier than others. In the other match of the day the champions, Team Europe, beat Africa 3,5-2,5 to finish the tournament with a perfect score.African players put up a good fight again and came close to getting their first point but it wasn't meant to be in the end.
Masterclass from GM Victor Bologan
This wasn't the only chess related activity of the day however. FIDE Executive Director and famous grandmaster Victor Bologan found time to give a masterclass to players in which he explained some principles in chess to an enthusiastic audience. It's extremely important to combine chess events with instructional seminars or lessons and FIDE Confederation Cup for Players with Disabilities proved to be an example for that.
Photo: Dora L. Martinez, Event Photographer
The Prize Ceremony
After five days of chess it was time to award prizes. The prize ceremony was attended by all players and officials such as Deputy Minister of Family, Labor and Social Security of Turkish Republic Ayse Kardas Ergezen, FIDE Vice Presidents Akaki Iashvili and Gulkiz Tulay who is also President of TCF, FIDE Executive Director Victor Bologan, Chairman of FIDE Events Commission and the tournament director Ozgur Solakoglu, Chairman of FIDE DIS Commission GM Thomas Luther, Councillor of FIDE DIS Commission and Event Manager Kema Goryaeva, Councillor of FIDE DIS Commission Dora Martinez and FIDE DIS Commission Member Turgay Seçkin Serpil as well as the financial partner ROSATOM's Head of International Communications Mr. Yaroslav Mozdakov.
Sign language translators translated everything. Here Mr. Mozdakov is giving his speech
(Photo: Dora L. Martinez, Event Photographer)
TCF President and FIDE Vice President Mrs. Gulkiz Tulay mentioned in her opening speech that it was a great joy seeing the happiness of players with disabilities coming from all over the world to play chess in Ankara and thanked FIDE and ROSATOM who made it happen. Deputy Minister of Family, Labor and Social Security and TCF Vice President Ayse Kardas Ergezen expressed the support of her ministry for events improving the conditions of people with disabilities and also her wish that such events will be continued to be hosted in Turkey in future. FIDE Vice President Akaki Iashvili welcomed everyone in the name of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and thanked all who made this fantastic organization possible and mentioned that chess for players with disabilities is one of the priorities of FIDE. Mr. Iashvili also expressed his gratitude to ROSATOM for their support and said that the cooperation between ROSATOM and FIDE will be a long-lasting one. Head of International Communications of ROSATOM Mr. Mozdakov confirmed Mr. Iashvili and said that ROSATOM's support in mind sports competitions worldwide will also continue in future.
Finally it was time to award prizes! The teams who have got the first three places, Europe, Asia and Americas, received their cups and medals. There were also category prizes for the hearing impaired, visually impaired and physically disabled players with top three players in each category receiving medals. Also Griffin McConnell from USA received a special award as the youngest and most successful player of the event. The players have also received special gifts in bags from ROSATOM and certificates of participation.
FIDE Vice President Akaki Iashvili giving to Team Europe their prizes for being the winners of the Confederation Cup
 Team Asia has got the second place (Photo: Dora L. Martinez, Event Photographer)
Thus with the distribution of prizes and gifts 1st FIDE Confederation Cup for the Disabled People came to an end. Much more important than the prizes were the experiences gathered and friendships built of course for which the Confederation Cup was a great medium. Next will be an even bigger event, World Chess Paralympics in 2020 in Khanty-Mansiysk. Hope to see you all there!
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