Press release // German further below
The Zurich Chess Challenge (Kramnik v Aronian) is the most prestigious training match ever held.
The average rating of the players, Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) and Levon Aronian (Armenia), is 2810, which means that the forthcoming Zurich Chess Challenge may be considered the strongest chess event of the year. Nominally, it even surpasses the world championship match which will be held in Moscow in May.
The six-round match between Kramnik and Aronian will take place from 21 to 28 April 2012, with rest days on 23 and 26 April. The time-control will be the same as for the Candidates’ tournament in the next world championship cycle, for which the two players wish to prepare in Zurich: 40 moves in 120 minutes, 20 moves in 60 minutes and, for the remainder of the game, 15 minutes plus an increment of 30 seconds per move. As a bonus for the audience, Kramnik and Aronian will play an additional rapid game if the main game on any given day is drawn in under three hours. All games are being played in the Hotel Savoy Baur en Ville in Zurich. Rounds 1-5 start at 15:00 CET, and Round 6 begins at 13:00 CET. Admission for spectators is free of charge. Each round will be broadcast live on the Internet, with commentary by GM Yannick Pelletier and IM Werner Hug of the Zurich Chess Club, which is organizing the match.
Internet: www.kramnikaronian.com
About the players Vladimir Kramnik, born on 25 June 1975 in Tuapse, is number three in the current world rankings, with an Elo rating of 2801. He lives in Paris and Moscow and was world champion from 2000 to 2007. In Zurich he won the 2001 Korchnoi anniversary rapid tournament and, in 2009, the world champions’ jubilee rapid tournament.
Levon Aronian, born on 6 October 1982 in Erevan, is number two in the current world rankings with an Elo rating of 2820. He lives in Berlin and earlier this year won the Wijk aan Zee tournament. The match against Kramnik will be his first appearance in Zurich.
About the sponsors IGC International Gemological Laboratories is a Russian institute providing gemological services, such as diamond grading reports, enhanced diamond identification, man-made/synthetic diamonds and imitation detection, as well as certification of diamonds, gemstones and jewellery in the Russian Federation. IGC is the Russian branch of GCI – a group of gemological laboratories located worldwide.
Aspeco N.V. is part of the K. Girdharlal Group of companies, which is one of the world’s leading diamantaires, with sales offices around the globe. In Antwerp, Aspeco N.V. is active in selling a large range of polished diamonds originating from the manufacturing group. Aspeco N.V. also procures rough diamonds from various renowned sources, for both trading and manufacturing purposes.
About the organizer The Zurich Chess Club is the oldest chess body in the world. In its long history it has staged numerous world-class events, regularly attracting the elite of the day. Three years ago it celebrated its 200th anniversary with a spectacular chess show which attracted all the living world champions. Since then, its activities have included organizing simultaneous exhibitions by Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen.
Schedule Saturday, 21 April: 15:00 Round 1
Sunday, 22 April: 15:00 Round 2
Monday, 23 April: Rest Day
Tuesday, 24 April: 15:00 Round 3
Wednesday, 25 April: 15:00 Round 4
Thursday, 26 April: Rest Day
Friday, 27 April: 15:00 Round 5
Saturday, 28 April: 13:00 Round 6
Press Contact Richard Forster
media@kramnikaronian.com
This will be a great match.