2011 World Amateur Chess Championship has started at 16.00 pm in the playing hall of Limra Hotel. Deputy President of Turkish Chess Federation Tahsin Aktar made his speech and welcomed participants during the opening ceremony. After wishing successful tournament to all  of them, Mr. Aktar made the first symbolic move on the six board the game between Mehmet Uyanik from Türkiye and Jorge Silva from Colombia, together with the Deputy President of TCF Discipline Committee Ersin Zihnioglu. 67 players from 16 countries are taking part in the championship this year.