Interview
In a talk with Soheila Ghasemi, the deputy manager of Iran’s Women Chess Federation:
Arbiters’ Judgments Were Equitable
Shirzanan:Fereshte Movahed/translation by Roja Najafi: Although the hopes for obtaining medals for Iranian women chess players were high, the twelfth Asian chess championship has ended in Tehran with Atousa Pourkashian - the first hope of Iran’s chess team- in the ninth level. We are having a talk with Soheila Ghasemi, the deputy manager of Iran’s women Chess Federation, about the condition of the team and the outcome of these competitions.
How do assess the twelfth Asian chess championship?
This tournament was very important for our chess players, especially because it was a good touchstone for our players. They could compete with the bests of Asia and gain a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience from them. If we keep attending in the international chess matches, soon we will be an established team in the international stage.
How do you see the rulings of these matches? And what are the federation’s next plans?
the levels of the arbiters were really high and their judgments were equitable and fair. We are planning to hold classes for Arbitrators in the coming months so we can be well ready for the next international championships. Women chess team will also compete in Macao Games and in Gwangju 2008. To prepare for these games we are organizing some preparatory games for the women chess team.
For expanding Chess as an activity and sport among women in Iran what have the federation done so far?
Chess is an area that we need to work on. For expanding this sport the chess federation has signed a mutual agreement with the Education Ministry and Tehran’s City Hall to hold free and public chess classes for school kids in all levels.
