From April 14th to 15th local time, the first session of Confucius Classroom Chess Competition was held by and in Confucius Classroom of Tbilis Open University, co-constructed by LZU. Georgian National Chess Association was the co-organizer of this competition. Zuo Hongbo, counsellor of China’s Embassy in Georgia, Tiya, official from Georgian Career Development Center of MOE, George, chairman of Georgian National Chess Association, and other guests attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. There were fifty contestants all over the Georgia participating in this competition, and over 200 people took part in this activity including teachers and students from Confucius Classroom. David, chairman of Tbilisi Chess Association, served as Head Judge this time.
Zuo Hongbo expressed his gratitude for the supports from all parts of Georgia to this Chess Competition in her remarks. She also said that chess originated from China and was the cultural treasure of China. Moreover, this competition was conducive to promote chess culture and advance cultural exchanges so as to further deepen the friendship between China and Georgia. On behalf of China’s Embassy in Georgia, she wished this competition a great success.
Tiya highly appreciated that cultural activities of Confucius Classroom played a significant role in promoting the cultural exchanges of two counties. She also expressed that the two sides would deepen their cooperation in order to promote the cultural and educational exchanges.
This chess competition consisted of a junior group and a senior group. An elementary school student named Kolam won the top award in the competition of the junior group in April 14th, while Attopaul became the winner in the competition of the senior group in April 15th.
（Translated by Song Rong, Proofread by Li Rui）
