Photo Omar Osakrsson

I need not explain to you how Sarajevo was one of the great chess capitals of the world and how chess playing  as so many other facets of normal life suffered during the times of trouble. Sarajevo is still being rebuilt, but it takes more than bricks and mortar to make Sarajevo great again. The urgency for reconstruction in the human dimension is no less
important, in order to strengthen the civic pride, culture and spirit of the people of Sarajevo. After all, that is what makes a city truly great.

This why the idea to start a Chess School in Sarajevo was born. By fostering chess education of the youngsters of Sarajevo we hope to brighten their day, but also to teach them valuable skills, as chess is not only a game to idle some time away, but rather a multiple metaphor for some of the most essential mental abilities:memory, concentration, problem-solving, abstract thought, foresight as well as insight, decisiveness and so forth.

I think it is fair to say that this venture would not have happened without the inspiration and guidance of Grand Master Ivan Sokolov. The partnership with Bosna Sarajevo proved no less important and the generosity of the Icelandic Government invaluable. I'd like to thank them and all the others who helped us along the way to make this dream come true.

On behalf of Hrókurinn Chess Club in Iceland I would therefore like to congratulate us all, but not least the good people of Sarajevo whose hospitality I have so often enjoyed. I'm sure that they will welcome this Chess School which will no doubt mark the beginning of a chess renaissance in Sarajevo.

 Hrafn Jökulsson, President of Hrókurinn Chess Club