The London Chess Classic in December
New London tournament to be in the Olympia Conference Centre. [Press release 21st July 2009]
I am delighted to announce that the London Chess Classic 2009 will be staged at one of London’s most prestigious venues; the Olympia Conference Centre. Olympia will provide excellent facilities including a 400 seat soundproof auditorium, two commentary rooms and multimedia presentation. There will be ample space for Open, weekend and Speed Chess tournaments plus junior training which will run alongside the main event from December 8th-15th inclusive.
The London Chess Classic 2009 will be the highest level tournament in London for 25 years and will be the first in a series of events designed to increase enthusiasm for chess in the UK and promote the game and its undoubted educational benefits in schools and communities. It is also our objective to bring the world championship to London in the Olympic year 2012.
England’s four leading Grandmasters; Michael Adams, Nigel Short, Luke McShane and David Howell will be pitched against a world class field that includes a former world champion Vladimir Kramnik and 18 year old Magnus Carlsen ranked world number three and widely seen a future holder of the world crown. One of China’s finest players; Ni Hua and the US Champion Hikaru Nakamura, complete the field.
Spectators will be treated to live commentary on the games from Grandmasters and will be able to play tournament or informal games all day. Ticket information will be available in September. For those who cannot attend there be will live coverage and commentary on the games on the internet.
Malcolm Pein (IM)
Director London Chess Centre
| 1 | Carlsen, Magnus | g | NOR | 2772 | |
| 2 | Kramnik, Vladimir | g | RUS | 2759 | |
| 3 | Nakamura, Hikaru | g | USA | 2710 | |
| 4 | Ni, Hua | g | CHN | 2701 | |
| 5 | Adams, Michael | g | ENG | 2699 | |
| 6 | Short, Nigel D | g | ENG | 2684 | |
| 7 | McShane, Luke J | g | ENG | 2620 | |
| 8 | Howell, David W L | g | ENG | 2614 |
Naka will get crush in London.
Wow!
I’m from England and this sounds great. I don’t recall a tournament of this calibre.
Hopefully it will be a good pick-me-up for chess in England.
Kramnik or Naka will win this. Those who say Naka will get crushed, can’t realize how good he has become now.
Nice to see Nakamura getting more and more invites to top notch tournaments.
Am looking forward to fireworks.
The solid Kramnik would be the favorite, but we are rooting for Naka.
“Kramnik or Naka will win this”.
What about Carlsen?