Classic draws world’s chess players
By James Beech on Mon, 16 Jan 2012
News: Queenstown Lakes
More than 100 of the world’s finest minds are battling for glory and cash prizes totalling $30,000 in the 2012 Queenstown Chess Classic, which began yesterday and continues until January 23.
Anything could happen in the early days of the elimination tournament, with the field open wide to all ages at the same level, which gives the rare opportunity for novices to go head to head with grandmasters.
Top seeds from overseas have their mettle tested by being flung in the deep end of high stakes chess while combating jet lag.
The 148 players registered, up on the 120 players who attended the previous Queenstown classic, hail from 19 countries, including New Zealand, Australia and England.
New Zealand representatives include Russell Dive and Anthony Ker, both international masters.
The 2011 Commonwealth champion Gawain Jones, representing England, has returned to compete.
Australian international master James Morris (16) and Chinese grandmaster Li Chao are among the names to watch as multiple games are played in the silent Galaxy Ballroom of the Millennium Hotel Queenstown.
Many of the overseas players are in the top five of their countries and perform in their national teams.
The field includes 11 grandmasters and four women grandmasters, plus 11 international masters and four women international masters.
The classic incorporates the 119th New Zealand Chess Championships. The highest scoring New Zealand player will win the national title.
The tournament is the dream-made-reality of Wellington-born promoter and grandmaster Murray Chandler, who always intended to host a series of events in Queenstown as a way of giving back to New Zealand chess.
The event was described as the “perfect tournament in the perfect location” by the organisers after successful events in 2006 and 2009.
It is anticipated the 148 visiting players will take advantage of the schedule of one game a day, with all rounds starting at 3pm, to go sightseeing. Most contestants are accompanied by partners and families.
The classic will be held in the hotel until January 23.
Source: http://www.odt.co.nz
Too bad it’s at the same time as Tata.