New FMJD office has been opened in Tallinn

Tallinn, 18 February 2018.

Estonian prime minister Jüri Ratas opened the FMJD new office in Tallinn.
The bureau in Chess-house (Vene street 29) is fully renovated.

Speech of Prime Minister Jüri Ratas at the opening of the headquarters of the World Draughts Federation

Take a look to the gallery (The photos are from Tiit Mõtus)

Press release:
New headquarters of World Draughts Federation opens in Tallinn

Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas and Chairman of Tallinn City Council Mihhail Kõlvart opened the new headquarters of the Fédération Mondiale du Jeu de Dames (FMJD or World Draughts Federation) at Paul Keres Chess House in Tallinn yesterday. The Estonian capital will host the physical headquarters for the next four years, while the legal headquarters remain in the Netherlands.

Gallery: https://pilv.powerhouse.ee/index.php/s/KQBbowwy81F5g6p
Photos: Tiit Mõtus

“What kind of influence we wield internationally depends on what role we play and what positions we hold in the organisation of international life,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. “It’s of great symbolic value to Estonia that from today the headquarters of the FMJD are situated here in Tallinn, in the Chess House named after Paul Keres. In mind sports, Estonians have made a name for themselves over the years as both competitors and event organisers. The fact that Estonia has hosted the highest number of international championships of any country in the last 10 years is testament to the hard work and determination of our draughts organisations. Entrusting the management of mind sports internationally to Estonia stands as recognition of all they’ve done so far.”

“Tallinn’s been supporting draughts, and the organisation of international competitions in the sport, for many years,” said Chairman of Tallinn City Council Mihhail Kõlvart. “It was a great honour for the city and for Estonia as a whole to host the headquarters of the European Draughts Confederation (EDC) for a decade from 2007-2017. That the headquarters of the FMJD have now come here is a significant step forward, but with it comes even greater responsibility, and even more opportunities to stand out internationally. For those leading the sport here in Estonia – as well as for Tallinn, the country as a whole and the sport’s supporters – it will require a lot of combined effort and determination to succeed.”

“The fact that the headquarters of the FMJD are here in Tallinn is unbelievable!” remarked FMJD President Janek Mäggi. “In draughts globally the big players are the Netherlands and Russia, and China’s a rising star. Taking a proactive role in international work, including contributing to the work of a number of mind sports organisations, has really pushed Estonian draughts forward. The Estonian Draughts Federation (EDF) is one of the best organisers of draughts competitions in the world, and that’s the result of the work of almost 20 years.”

“Having the headquarters of the FMJD here in Tallinn will open up a lot of opportunities for draughts in Estonia, the most important of which are encouraging local players and providing a vehicle for talented youngsters,” said EDF President Tarmo Tulva. “In every sport you dream of being the world’s best, and in organising international championships that’s exactly what Estonia’s achieved. Draughts players all over the globe have a lot of respect for Estonia and for Tallinn as a place where competitions are always organised at a world-class level. For the next four years we want to set an example not just to Europe, but to the whole world.”