Right at the beginning, the “Lunatics Cheerleaders” put the heat on the spectators. With breathtaking somersaults in dizzy highs and multi-levelled human pyramids they showed their imposing interpretation of chess. Subsequently the specialists of the percussion band “Viroumania” provided a great atmosphere with groovy rhythms.
As the olympic fire was symbolically ignited, the evening reached its first peak. A female figure skater performed a dazzling dance with the torch in her hand and emblazed the eternal flame.
Especially the famous German singer Max Mutzke and the premiere of the olympic hymn „The Big Game We Play“ composed by Wolfgang Scheffler were among the numerous musical highlights.
The event was framed by some extracts of the “Chess” musical performed by the ensemble of the Dresden State Operetta. Without any words the white graces fought against the black opponents. The audience enthusiastically followed the rousing choreography in which the odds of black and white alternated rapidly.
A silent whispering went through the audience when about 300 children of the chess partner schools presented the flags and name signs of the participating nations on to the shining frozen surface. A colourful carpet of flags marked another visual highlight.
Afterwards, the mayor of the city Helma Orosz welcomed the chess world in Dresden in four different languages. After the challenge cup of the games was passed on to Dirk Jordan, Chairman of the German Chess Federation, the olympiad was officially opened by the German Federal Minister of the Interior Wolfgang Schäuble.