Eighth Gibtelecom Chess Festival

Tues 26 Jan – Thurs 4 Feb 2010

PRESS RELEASE GENERAL 4 – 29.1.10

GIBRALTAR’S DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER SAYS,

“GIBRALTAR IS A POWERFUL PLAYER IN THE WORLD OF CHESS”

“Gibraltar is a powerful player in the world of chess and this is great news for Gibraltar,“ declared Gibraltar’s Deputy Chief Minister Joe Holliday live on the internet during the third day of play in the 2010 Gibtelecom International Chess Festival. The comments were made on a visit to see the Masters in action when he was also shown around the new broadcasting facility in the Archie Suite where he was interviewed by commentator GM Stuart Conquest. Mr Holliday a chess player himself he admitted to being tempted to making a few moves himself.

“It is great for Gibraltar to have such an event. The way it has grown over the past few years is absolutely amazing and all who have participated in making this possible ought to be congratulated,” he said.

With messages coming into the afternoon live streaming sessions from all over the world, Mr Holliday was impressed at how the festival was reaching chess enthusiasts all over the world.

Welcoming the Deputy Chief Minister was CEO of Gibtelecom Tim Bristow on behalf of the sponsors together with Pepe Caruana of Deloitte and Touche, Nathan Perez and Jason Ellul of GIBRO Group, and festival organizer Brian Callaghan.

Commenting on the technological advances and Gibtelecom’s involvement in the festival , Mr Holliday, said: “locally we have a very sophisticated infrastructure in place to be able to monitor and transmit what is happening here, so that all players are better informed wherever they are, and this is a great achievement. “

Confident that the festival would continue to grow, he said, Gibraltar would remain committed to the tournaments development and would not miss out on this opportunity to continue to reach the chess world.

Pictures of above are available through our website: www.gibraltarchesscongress.com

For live commentary and live games also visit: www.gibraltarchesscongress.com

Alice Mascarenhas

Chess Press Officer Gibraltar International Chess Festival, e-mail: chesspressoffice@caletahotel.gi

The Gibtelecom International Chess Festival 26th Jan – 4th Feb can be followed on-line at www.gibraltarchesscongress.com