Other events in Baltic States

On Wednesday, Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has welcomed and thanked European women chess champion Viktorija Cmilyte (27) and her father and coach Viktoras Cmilis. Prime minister once again thanked the champion for "a good news to Lithuania, having secured an impressive victory in the intellectual sports", writes LETA/ELTA.

Cmilyte has been awarded with a 20,000 litas (5,701 euros) monetary award and Prime Minister's brand name watch. Klemensas Rimselis, Director General at the Department of Physical Education and Sports has awarded the grandmaster with a Sporting Achievement Medal.

Cmilyte sincerely thank PM for exceptional attention paid to the chess sport and her victory. Chess sport situation in Lithuania was also discussed during the meeting with the prime minister, the participants of the meeting exchanged opinion on wider chess training opportunities in secondary schools of Lithuania. Kubilius wished the champion all the very best of luck in upcoming matches. As reported, the Government decided on the reward a week ago, stressing that the 27-year-old chess player significantly contributed to the promotion of the name of Lithuania. Her victory was the first of such an importance throughout Lithuania's history of chess tournaments, the Cabinet said.

Cmilyte won the title of the European chess champion in the 12th European Women Chess Championship held in Tbilisi, Georgia, on May 7-18.

According to the Government's resolution adopted 10 years ago, the chess player would have received a reward of 4,000 litas (1,140 euros) for the victory in Tbilisi. As rewards were halved due to the economic recession, Cmilyte would have been awarded with just 2,000 litas (570 euros).