Cyprus will host for the first time the chess championship of small states of Europe. The championship will take place April 22-30 in the coastal town of Larnaka.

The event is organised by the Cyprus Chess Federation in cooperation with the World Chess Federation and the European Chess Union.

Twelve chess players from ten small states of Europe will participate in the championship.

Cyprus, as an organising country, will participate with two chess players, 14 year old champion Andreas Keliris and six times Cypriot champion Antonis Antoniou.

During the event many officials will visit Cyprus, including the President of the World Chess Federation, senior officials from other Chess Federations, Deputy Ministers for Sports and former world champion Garry Kasparov