“Of course it is always fine to win in such a strong tournament as RTU Open (2018). There was a possibility to discuss my games in press conferences, so that was really very nice, not all open tournaments you can share your thoughts with the audience and that is very good for chess. I also want to mention the excellent organization and friendly atmosphere. And of course the opportunity to take pictures with a monument to Tal also made me happy.”

  “Riga Technical University open was one of the best organized tournaments where I ever played including blitz tournaments and lot of events for chess lovers, I am looking forward to play in Riga again.”

“RTU is a great chess festival that is excellently organized. I highly recomend chessplayers of all levels to go to Riga to play and enjoy the festival.”

  “Having played in big number of tournaments it is great pleasure to say that exacty at my home town is being held one of the best organized chess festivals that I have played. Playing hall always is the spacious and comfortable Kipsala exchibition hall, all the arbiters always do a very professional work and overall atmosphere doesn’t get any more friendly than in Riga. Proudly I can say that Riga in August is the place to be for any chess lover.”

  “The organizers of RTU Open are doing great job in helping to keep the respectable traditions of Baltic chess alive. RTU has grown into a very strong open tournament (and a chess festival overall), the victory at which even very strong Grandmasters would be proud of having on their CV. Spacious and comfortable playing venue and beautiful city of Riga – this sounds like a very good combination to every chesslover to convince themselves to come to play and enjoy!”