This important chess competition was announced by the mayor of the City of Rijeka and the president of the Honorary Committee, Vojko Obersnel, the president of the European Chess Union Boris Kutin, the president of the Executive Committee of the Championship and president of the chess club "Rijeka", Damir Vrhovnik, and renowned grandmaster and journalist, Vlado Kovačević.

Mayor Obersnel emphasised that the organisation of the competition was a great acknowledgement, and also a challenge for Rijeka, city having a rich chess tradition and numerous successful chess players. Ha expressed his belief that Rijeka as a well-established organiser of large sports competitions would meet the expectations of almost 600 male and female chess players who had decided to visit Rijeka and take part in the Championship. He emphasised that at the recently built sports hall Zamet the highest standards had been provided for holding the chess competition and he wished the participants every success in the competitions and a pleasant sojourn in our city.

The president of the European Chess Union (ECU) Boris Kutin pointed out that in Rijeka the Championship with a record-breaking number of registered competitors and record rating would be held. During the Championship, the General Assembly of the European Chess Federation will be held where 60 delegates will take part, i.e. people who manage European chess.

The president of the Executive Committee of the Championship Damir Vrhovnik emphasised that the Chess Club "Rijeka" was a proud host to this large and important chess championship where 425 male and 165 female chess players would participate, of which 81 players from Croatia. "Out of a hundred best ranking world chess players, 82 players are from Europe, and out of this number as many as 48 players will take part in the Rijeka Championship," said Vrhovnik. Spectators across the world will have an opportunity to follow the championship via the website of EURO 2010,along with matches to be broadcast live.

The ceremonial opening will take place at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, 5 March. Within the programme we would like to highlight the beginning of the 1st round, at 03.30 p.m. on Saturday, 6 March, as well as the beginning of all the remaining rounds every day at 3:30 p.m. The proclamation of the winner will be held at 08:00 p.m. on Thursday, 18 March.

The organiser of the 11th European Individual Chess Championship for men and women is the chess club "Rijeka" in co-operation with the Croatian Chess Federation, under the sponsorship of the City of Rijeka and the European Chess Union.
(S.R.)