PRESS RELEASE 2 Monday 27 January, 2014
OPENING MOVE – THE AMATEUR AND CHALLENGERS TOURNAMENT
The 12th edition of the Gibraltar Tradewise International Chess Festival got off to a great start today at the Caleta Hotel.
Chess Grandmasters have travelled from all over the world to participate in this year’s festival which is sure to be the best yet. This year there are players from countries including China and Mongolia.
The good news is that the competition not only keeps on getting stronger each year but the numbers also keep on increasing.
2014 has seen a record number of entries in the Amateur and Challenger tournaments played each morning throughout the festival. This year in both the first and second week of the festival entries stand at around 130 players. Many from Spain, Portugal, Norway and of course Gibraltar.
The first move in the Amateur and Challenger tournaments which began today was carried out by two of the youngest members of staff at Gibteleco. Rachel Holgado a regulatory officer and Craig Lima, an apprentice. The young chess player is Irene Nicolas Zapata from Spain who recently won the silver medal in the under 16 category at the World Youth Championships.
The Masters tournament running simultaneously over the 10-day festival starts tomorrow Tuesday at 3pm.
Photo attached: by Sophie Triay
For more photos check our website: www.gibraltarchesscongress.com
You throw the money out there, chess players will come.