The competition began with an opening ceremony in the presence of the mayor of Castelnaudary, Mr Maugard, the representatives of the community of communes of Castelnaudary Lauragais Audois in charge of tourism, Mr Greffier and Mrs Chabert, and the person in charge of disabilities at the town council, Mrs Cathala. The president of the Occitanie chess league was also present for the occasion and is one of the organisers of the championship.
The IBCA President, Dr Charudatta Jadhav officially launched the opening of the Youth and Women’s Championships and the Mayor of Castelnaudary made the symbolic first move of the tournament.
The ceremony was covered by the dépêche du midi.
All the delegations received a selection of regional products as a gift, including the famous Cassoulet de Castelnaudary which is - as the mayor reminded us - eaten in more than 150 countries around the world, but of which Castelnaudary is the undisputed world capital.

Dr Charudatta Jadhav, president of the IBCA, with his wife and daughter with the competition director, Laurent Kruk :

The players were then able to head to their boards to begin the first round.

The playing room for the women’s championship :