From 11th to 13th of December 2008 GM Alexandra Kostenyuk was invited as the guest of honour to visit Kalmykia by the FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. During these 2 days Women World Champion had meetings with the pupils of the Chess Academy in Elista and gave two simultaneous exhibitions at the Kalmyk National gymnasium. Also she has visited the school in Iki-Chonos village which she supports. In Iki-Chonos she was presented with the Kalmyk national dress and a beautiful Kalmyk horse for her victory at the Women World Championship in Nalchik this summer.

Please see the pictures of the visit to the Republic of Kalmykia: http://chesspics.com/index.php?e=112