Gibtelecom International Chess Festival sees £80,000 prize money up for grabs
The Sixth Gibtelecom International Chess Festival, the second largest open chess tournament in the world, will begin at the Caleta Palace on 22nd January with a total prize money of £80,000.
Over 260 participants from around 40 countries will take part in the event, including 17 Grand Masters over the 2600 Rating. The field is led by Wang Yue from China with a rating of 2698. The festival is predicted to see around one third of Gibraltar’s hotel rooms reserved by Chess related bookings.
A reception and presentation of the tournament was held this afternoon at the Caleta Hotel hosted by Brian Callaahan and attended by Minister for Culture Edwin Reyes.
Manuel Weeks, this year’s Tournament Press and Public Relations Officer is an international arbiter, a fide Master and six times the Australian Team Olympiad Captain.
He described the highlights of this year’s tournament as being the participation of the Chinese squad and the large female participation. He said, “China has become the new superpower of world chess defeating both Russia and the United Kingdom convincingly in country versus country challenges in 2007.
“Another outstanding feature is the fact that the festival has become the premier female attendance event in the world, for strength and for the prize fund. This 2008 edition boasts two former Women World Champions in Antoeneta Stefanova and Zhu Chen.” The tournament will take place from 22nd January ending on 31st January.
Source: Gib Focus
Zhu Chen is stronger by far.
Warning: Off Topic!
Susan,
I saw battle of the brains last night on TV(Congratulations). Who would you say was the smartest and/or the nicest person in your group?
Rob
China the new world superpower ??
As for 1/1/2008 , they do not have
a single 2700+ player !