May 19, 2006

NEW YORK — Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will attempt to go from paycheck to checkmate next week when he takes on all comers in a “speed chess” game called “Chesster.” The event will take place at an online gaming site that claims to host more than one million games per day.

Opponents will have the opportunity to win $1,000 by beating Lewis, who is an avid chess player. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23. Details are available at the site (which is operated by Midasplayer.com Ltd., London). Free registration is required.

The former champ will hit the marketing canvas on May 22 and 23, doing guest appearances on such shows as ESPN’s Cold Pizza, The Jim Rome Show and Fox and Friends. Support also includes a photo shoot in New York’s Washington Square Park, as well as shout-outs on Lennox’s own Web site.

“For me, playing chess takes the stress away, which is why I enjoyed playing when I was training,” Lennox, who retired from boxing in February 2004, said in a statement. “The sports are similar in that it’s one-on-one, and in boxing, it helped me prepare a strategy to beat my opponent.

“I finished my boxing career as the undefeated champ, and I intend to finish my chess competition the same way!”
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Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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