Organized by the Georgian Chess Federation and the 43^rd World Chess Olympiad Organizing Committee, an event dedicated to the Olympiad was held at the "Wine Factory". The deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport – Shalva Gogoladze, the head of Sport Department – Irakli Dolaberidze, President of the European Chess Union – Zurab Azmaiparashvili, the President of the Georgian Chess Federation – Giorgi Giorgadze, and five-times World Chess Champion – Nona Gaprindashvili attended the formal event.

The festive event was opened with an extraordinary chess contest. The 2018 Batumi Ambassador of Goodwill and World Champion - Nona Gaprindashvili faced the Director of the Organizing Committee of the Olympiad - Zurab Azmaiparashvili, the ex-champion of Europe. The chess figures on the chess board were replaced with beautiful cups of Georgian wine. The symbolic match, was presented by “Winery Khareba” and ended in a tie.