Putin asks for a question about chess. Reporter asks what he thinks about the development of chess in Russia.
Putin says he can't influence what local governments do regarding study of chess in schools. This has to be decided at the local level, Putin says. Nonetheless, Putin says he is proud of Russia's chess schools and the overall chess program. Putin notes there is a center for gifted students in Sochi that includes chess and says that program should be extended across the country. Praise Russian chessmaster Sergei Karyakin, who lost the 2016 World Chess Championship to Norway's Magnus Carlsen. Says he has victories in his future.
Next question is also about how to name the Kerch Strait bridge that will link the Ukrainian region of Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, with Russia. And also about the development of the Kaliningrad region.
“There is no bridge, and they are deciding on its name.”
Putin repeats that he doesn't have an opinion on what the Kerch bridge is called. Then discusses what can be done to improve energy supplies to Kaliningrad through cooperation with the Baltic states. Putin accuses the Baltic states of disrupting relations with Russia "for no obvious reason." Putin says it is possible Russia will bring in small ship-based nuclear reactors to provide energy to Kaliningrad. Putin returns to question of Crimea and says in next few days Russia will announce that Crimea is fully connected to the Russian natural-gas-distribution system. Electricity production is also increasing. Says Russia is beginning construction of two large power stations on the peninsula and this is a key to the region's economic development.