PRESS RELEASE
October 9. 2014
OVER 550 INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS COMPETE IN THE MILLIONAIRE CHESS OPEN
Las Vegas, Nevada – After more than a year of preparation, this morning marks the beginning of the Millionaire Chess Open, perhaps the most anticipated open chess tournament in the history of the world’s most storied game.
Over 550 players from more than 40 countries have assembled to do battle for a million dollar prize pool, double the previous record for the largest guaranteed payout ever awarded in a chess tournament. The roster of participants runs from 10 year old chess prodigies to International Grandmasters.
“I am thrilled to see this tournament come together,” stated Maurice Ashley, International Grandmaster and one of two partners behind Millionaire Chess. “A great deal of work went into making this event possible, but our reward will be the opportunity place chess in the spotlight it deserves.
“There were many who questioned whether it was possible for a chess tournament to guarantee a million dollars in prize money,” stated Amy Lee, Maurice’s partner at Millionaire Chess. “But here we are. I am so proud of what we have achieved, and so excited to see this day arrive.”
“This tournament is unprecedented in many ways beyond the record-setting prize pool,” continued Ashley. “There’s a ‘wow’ factor in this experience, a level of glamor that the chess community has never witnessed before. Every detail of the tournament has been the subject of careful consideration. Our chess pieces are the perfect example – we selected the Reykjavik set, the same set Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky used in 1972. That match captured the world’s attention, and we are confident that the Millionaire Chess Open will as well.”
The competition that will unfold over the coming five days has already attracted the attention of many major media outlets, including both the New York Times and the BBC. Both a live-stream broadcast and a dedicated smart phone app will provide all viewers with seats at the edge of the top boards, and several documentaries are being filmed on-site. This unprecedented coverage suggests that the Millionaire Chess Open is well on its way to achieving its goal of elevating the game’s global stature.
“We are so proud to welcome the world to this tournament. Amy and I have had some incredible highs in our career, but nothing comes close to seeing this come to life,” concluded Mr. Ashley. “I am so excited to shake the hands of those players that have traveled here to help us make history. I encourage even the most casual fan of chess to download our app and tune into the event coverage on-line. We want this to be an experience that is as inclusive as it is memorable.”
Round 1 begins at 12pm October 9, and the live broadcast will commence at 2:00pm on www.millionairechess.com. The Semi-finals and Finals will be held on Millionaire Monday.
About Millionaire Chess Open
MCO starts today in Las Vegas Nevada at Planet Hollywood and runs October 9-13, 2014 and boasts the record for the highest stakes in chess. Entry is only $1000 with a chance to win up to $100,000 for a total of $1,000,000.
Nakamura should have been invited.
He’s playing in the Grand Prix in Baku right now
With 550 players and taking into account the overheads (renting halls and rooms), the losses will be staggering. Who’s footing the bill for this crass misadventure?
“Crass misadventure?” This event was amazing, well planned, and we all had a blast! If you couldn’t make it this year, come next year! You’ll love it.
MC showed they are willing to support Chess and take it to the next level! It’s admirable that they are willing to put their money where their mouth is. Many talk (it’s easy), fewer act.
Come to the next event, see for yourself!
CM Jim Mundy