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The 42nd Chess Olympiad is scheduled to start on September 1 with a grand opening ceremony at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan.

A team of 400 artists, choreographers, composers and support staff is conducting the final dry runs of the ceremony which is supposed to last about one hour. The designer of the ceremony, Viktor Nikolayevich, said the experience would be unforgettable: "The spectators will see a brilliant show."

The chess competitions will start on September 2 with a record-breaking participation of 181 teams representing 176 countries in the Open section. A total of 142 women’s teams will also participate in the Olympiad. In total, there are 183 national federations plus three affiliated organizations participating both in the Olympiad and Congress.

The host country Azerbaijan will be represented by three teams in both sections.

In parallel, the 87th FIDE Congress will be held at the Fairmont Hotel, one of the Flame Towers, from September 5-13.

Considered to be a symbol of Baku, the Flame Towers' impressive lightning will display the images of chess pieces and other elements of chess.

Director of the Baku Chess Olympiad Operating Committee, Mahir Mammedov said that more than 3,100 players, arbiters, journalists and congress delegates have been registered to attend the Olympiad.

In further demonstration that Baku is a real chess-city, the Chess Olympiad Operating Committee has branded two buses of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in the run-up to the Olympiad and put them into operation in the capital. The double-deck buses will take passengers to the best sights of Baku and promote chess.

According to the preliminary lists, the top-rated teams in the Open section are Russia (2768), USA (2761), China (2743), Azerbaijan (2715), Ukraine (2698) and France (2693).

The top-rated teams in the Women’s section are China (2557), Russia (2504), Ukraine (2503), Georgia (2488) and India (2431).

Both sections will compete over 11 rounds of Swiss system. Draw offers are not allowed before move 30. The playing venue is the beautiful Crystal Hall. FIDE and organizers have prepared strict anti-cheating procedures to avoid any form of cheating.

In addition, all visitors of the 42nd Chess Olympiad will have a unique opportunity to visit chess photo exhibitions and an exhibition of the Russian Chess Federation's Chess Museum. Rare exhibits and vintage posters from various historical competitions will be on show.

Participants and guests are looking forward to attend an unforgettable Chess Olympiad!

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