Dortmund hosts world championship qualifier

Full regulations are given below.

Press release

Entertaining programme of events will Dortmund make a Chess Festival

World Championship Candidates' Tournament at the Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting 2002

For chess aficionados 6 to 21 July 2002 is a time they have been waiting for: this period is ringed in their diaries for the Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting 2002. Dortmund as one of the traditional chess strongholds in the world will have the world of the "Game of Kings" spellbound once again – after all, this 30th anniversary of the International Dortmund Chess Days deserves a celebration. The Federal Chancellor, Dr Gerhard Schroeder, will be the patron of this top-level event.

Foto shoot during the press conference, with Einstein CEO Steve Timmins, GM Christopher Lutz, Dortmund organiser Gerd Kolbe, GM Arkadi Naiditsch (16) and Helmut Kohls of the Sparkasse. Copyright Eric van Reem.

Eight Super Grand Masters will stage a contest of wits in a Candidates' Tournament for the World Championship in Classic Chess in the noble Goldsaal of Dortmund Westfalenhallen. The London Multi Media Group Einstein are promoting all the events to do with the Chess World Champion and have offered a total prize money to the sum of 250,000 Euro. The winner of Dortmund will be invited to challenge the Classical World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik in the first half of 2003. Kramnik won the Dortmund Super-Tournament six times, and during the event he will play a simultaneous match for the main sponsor Stadtsparkasse (on 17 July) as well as have a close look at his challenger.

On the stage of the Goldsaal further excitement will be provided by two high-class and fascinating matches that are to be played parallel to the semi-final and final of the Candidates' Tournament. Germany's greatest chess talent, the Dortmund Grand Master Arkadi Naiditsch (16) will play against the Dutch star Jan Timman who once played against Anatoli Karpov in the final of a Classical World Chess Championship. Timman is very careful in the evaluation of his chances against Naiditsch, "Arkadi is an enormous talent, he will go far. After what I have seen of him over recent months this will be a very difficult task for me".

The second match will be played by David Baramidze, who is only 13, against the world class player Alisa Maric (Yugoslavia). David also comes from the Dortmund Chess School, he is already an International Master and intends to have a similarly successful career as Arkadi Naiditsch.

Blitz game between Christopher Lutz and Arkadi Naiditsch. Copyright Eric van Reem.

Faced with the prospect of so much top-level chess, people might get itchy fingers themselves. They will get their chance in the grand Sparkassen Open with 300 participants in two categories. An entertaining programme of events will complete the Dortmund Chess Festival. All these activities – among them the final round of the Dortmund Elementary Schools' Championship, a "EuroChess" tournament as well as a one-day event by the Dortmund Schachgemeinschaft – are concentrated in one location: the Congress Centre of Dortmund Westfalenhallen. The name "Westfalenhallen" still sends shivers down the spines of chess fans from all over the world. In 1992 – exactly ten years ago – about 10,000 spectators witnessed the 20th International Chess Days and made the Dortmund Chess Meeting an unforgettable event.

The media interest is already outstanding: West German Television (WDR) have reserved 6 – 8 hours for reports from the Chess Days. Beginning at midnight, one-hour programmes will be broadcast on 7th, 14th, 17th and 21st July 2002 and will be repeated on the following days. Einstein TV, which can be received via Eurobird, will report comprehensively in their own programme and will offer important pictures and news to international TV stations as well. Latest news: World Champion Kramnik has been invited to the prestigious Sport Studio of the German television station ZDF. He will be the star guest in a live broadcast on 20th July.

The Super-Tournament

The decisive groundwork for Dortmund's prominent role in the competition around the Chess World Championship was laid in the summer of 2001 by an agreement with Brain Games Network (London). In the meantime all activities and rights concerning World Champion Vladimir Kramnik have been taken over by the Einstein Group (London). Einstein are a multi-media and consulting enterprise with TV priorities and their TV channel can be seen in the UK, Europe, Russia and China focussing on subjects such as "Science", "Space Research", "Technology" and "Education". Steve Timmins (CEO), who will soon also present Einstein in the U.S.A.: "In chess we have discovered a new opportunity that suits our company perfectly. We are going to report world-wide on top-level chess, including Dortmund, and market this accordingly. We are also interested in linking training, education and chess. There are more than 200 million chess players in this world. We hope to reach these as well as many children and young adults with our activities."

Einstein's Steve Timmins, who has a world championship to run. Copyright Eric van Reem.

Stadtsparkasse Dortmund, Einstein Group, the City of Dortmund as well as the organizing chess club Dortmund-Brackel intend making the Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting 2002 an outstanding sports event.

Seven of the eight grand masters are among the world-best players and are not just competing for ranking points and prize money: the winner will be offered the lucrative opportunity to become the official challenger for World Champion Vladimir Kramnik. The tournament will be played in two groups of four players each, in a double round robin. After six days the semi-finalists will have been determined: they will then play four classic games to find the finalists. The final will, again, comprise four classical games. In the event of a tie there will be rapid chess tie breaks after each stage, if the outcome is another draw the decision will be brought about by blitz matches. Kramnik: "This will be an extremely tough competition. Whoever triumphs in Dortmund over 14 classic games and possible tie breaks, will be a worthy challenger."

The organizers have been successful in signing up seven of the TOP TEN Grand Masters: Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria), Michael Adams (Great Britain), Alexander Morozevich (Russia), Boris Gelfand (Israel), Alexei Shirov (Spain), Peter Leko (Hungary) and Evgeni Barejev (Russia). After Garri Kasparov's refusal to participate – he will not face the challenge and proved unsuccessful in demanding a direct re-match versus Kramnik – Dortmund have claimed a "wild card". At last, after the unforgettable candidates' tournaments played by Dr Robert Huebner twenty years ago, a German player will be decisively involved in the competition for the Chess World Championship again: Christopher Lutz is the German Champion, number One of the National Team and of the German Ranking List. The German Chess Association is confident that Lutz can benefit from this home advantage. Many German chess enthusiasts will be looking forward to his performance and will keep their fingers crossed for the player from Cologne. Lutz: "This is the highlight of my career as a professional chess player. I will make every effort in my preparation and will try to seize this opportunity."

The Sparkassen Open

Chess players of all levels may take part in the open tournament for 300 players. The Sparkassen Open takes place at the same venue and is divided into two classes: the grand A-Open (Open Masters Tournament) for players with chess titles and a B-Open (Open Main Tournament). There will be a total prize money of about 7,000 Euro for participants from all levels. For registration an appropriate entry fee (between 60 and 100 Euro) must be paid. All participants receive a comprehensive ticket for all events of the Candidates Tournament free of charge. Further information on the Open may be obtained from Schachfreunde Brackel, tel. 0049-231-200 92 65 or under www.chessgate.de (organizer's homepage) as well as under www.schachfreunde-brackel.de.

Programme of Additional Events

In the foyers of the Westfalenhallen Congress Centre an interesting programme of events will provide entertainment. Preparations are under way not only for the Sparkassen Open but also for exhibitions by renowned artists – on the subject of chess, among other things. Clinics, stalls with chess and software equipment as well as other presentations will be part of this section. On the free day (17 July) World Champion Vladimir Kramnik and Arkadi Naiditsch will each play simultaneous matches against 25 opponents, on behalf of the title sponsor, Stadtsparkasse Dortmund.

Venue and Technical Equipment

The Goldsaal of Westfalenhallen with about 800 seats offers the perfect ambience for experiencing the competition between the Super Grand Masters from close up. Each move at the tables can be seen immediately on four large projection screens. Live commentaries by the German Grand Masters Dr Helmut Pfleger, Klaus Bischoff and the Federal Coach Uwe Boensch can be heard via earclip technology and will give amateurs as well as chess experts information on the current situation on the four boards.

Funding and Sponsors

The total budget for the Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting 2002 – 30th International Dortmund Chess Days – runs to about 700,000 Euro, including all financial and immaterial services. The organizers would like to express their gratitude to all sponsors without whose support this event could not take place. The traditional involvement of the title sponsor and co-organizer, Stadtsparkasse Dortmund, and of the Einstein Group London contribute decisively towards the assembly of the chess élite for this historic event in Dortmund. Further material and immaterial support is given by the following: Stadt Dortmund, Westfalenhallen, Aktionskreis Internationale Dortmunder Schachtage, dortmund-project, Hilton Dortmund, ChessBase GmbH, dosys, Mercedes Niederlassung Dortmund, Stadtwerke Dortmund, RWE Gas AG, Chessgate AG.

Advance Bookings and Hotel

Advance ticket bookings will be accepted immediately by Chessgate AG via e-mail: info@chessgate.de. The opening of the advance booking office at Westfalenhallen Dortmund will be announced later. Day tickets will cost 6 Euro (concessions: 4 Euro). Comprehensive tickets for all 16 days will cost 55 Euro. Chess enthusiasts may book rooms at the Grand Masters' Hotel "Hilton Dortmund" at reduced rates (Single Room 55 Euro, Double Room 65 Euro). Please contact tel. +49-231-1086-0: Reference "Schachtage".

Further Information

Chessgate AG are the official suppliers for the Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting. An organizer's homepage can be accessed immediately under www.chessgate.de, it will be brought up to date constantly. Live transmission of the matches on the Internet will also be managed by Chessgate.

Editorial Notes:

The invitation for the opening press conference with all contestants in the Candidates' Tournament (5 July, 15.30 hrs, Hilton Dortmund, An der Buschmühle 1) as well as information on the accreditation procedure will be issued in good time in mid-June.

The detailed tournament programme – compiled by World Championship Arbiter Dr Andrzej Filipowicz (Poland) – is attached.

(Press Release dated 5 April 2002)

The Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting 2002

Candidates' Tournament
of the Einstein Group Classical World Chess Championship

Dortmund, Germany, July 6-21, 2002

REGULATIONS

1. Event

The Candidates' tournament to determine the Challenger for the Classical World Champion is composed of the top eight World Players, invited by Organizers.

2. Participants

The invited top eight World Players were seeded using the average ratings of the both World Rating Lists published on January 1, 2002:

(i) the FIDE Rating List
(ii) the PCA (Thomson) Rating List

Group I – the numbers 1, 4, 5 and 8
Group II – the numbers 2, 3, 6 and 7

The German wild card was given to Christopher Lutz.

The final division to preliminary groups is as follows:

2. Date, venue and schedule

2.1. The candidates tournament will be held from July 6 till 21, 2002 in the Congress Center of Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, Germany.

2.2. Schedule of the tournament
Thursday July 4/5 – Arrival

Friday July 5 at 15.30 – Press Conference (all players)
Friday July 5 at 17.00 – Technical meeting (arbiters)
Friday July 5 at 19.00 – Opening ceremony (all players)

Saturday July 6 at 15.00 – Round 1
Group I Group II
Topalov-Lutz, Morozevich-Bareev
Gelfand-Shirov, Adams-Leko

Sunday July 7 at 15.00 – Round 2
Group I Group II
Lutz-Shirov, Bareev-Leko
Topalov-Gelfand, Morozevich-Adams

Monday July 8 at 15.00 – Round 3
Group I Group II
Shirov-Topalov, Adams-Bareev
Gelfand-Lutz, Leko-Morozevich

Tuesday July 9 at 15.00 – Round 4
Group I Group II
Topalov-Shirov, Lutz-Gelfand
Bareev-Adams, Morozevich-Leko

Wednesday July 10 at 15.00 – Round 5
Group I Group II
Shirov-Lutz, Leko-Bareev
Gelfand-Topalov, Adams-Morozevich

Thursday July 11 at 15.00 – Round 6
Group I Group II
Lutz-Topalov, Bareev-Morozevich
Shirov-Gelfand, Leko-Adams

Friday July 12 at 15.00 – Tie-breaks
Group I and Group II

Saturday July 13 at 15.00 – Semifinals – Game 1
Winner Group I – Runner up Group II
Winner Group II – Runner up Group I

Sunday July 14 at 15.00 – Semifinals – Game 2
Runner up Group II – Winner Group I
Runner up Group I – Winner Group II

Monday July 15 at 15.00 – Semifinals – Game 3
Winner Group I – Runner up Group II
Winner Group II – Runner up Group I

Tuesday July 16 at 15.00 – Semifinals – Game 4
Runner up Group II – Winner Group I
Runner up Group I – Winner Group II

Wednesday July 17 at 15.00 – Semifinals – tiebreaks

Thursday July 18 at 15.00 – Final – Game 1
Winner of the 1st Match – Winner of the 2nd Match

Friday July 19 at 15.00 – Final – Game 2
Winner of the 2nd Match – Winner of the 1st Match –

Saturday July 20 at 15.00 – Final – Game 3
Winner of the 1st Match – Winner of the 2nd Match

Sunday July 21 at 12.00 – Final – Game 4
Winner of the 2nd Match – Winner of the 1st Match –

Sunday July 21 – Final – Tiebreak
The tiebreak games shall take place not later than one hour after the end of the last final game.

Sunday July 21 Prize Giving
Prize giving after the decision on stage, Press Conference with the winner and Vladimir Kramnik, TV show after the prize giving on stage with the winner and Vladimir Kramnik

3. Organizers

1. Tournament director – Jürgen Grastat
Tel.: +49-2304-239783
e-mail: juergen.grastat@gmx.de

2. Tournament director – Stefan Koth
Tel.: +49-231-201444
e-mail: skoth17418@aol.com

Chairman of the Board of Stadtsparkasse Dortmund Helmut Kohls
Director of the Organization Committee Gerd Kolbe
CEO Einstein Group plc, London Steve Timmins

4. Arbiters

The arbiters will be
IA & IM Andrzej Filipowicz – POL
IA Alexander Bach – RUS
The decisions of the arbiters are binding.

5. System of play

5.1. The 8 invited players are divided in two groups of four players according to the average rating with the seeded positions mentioned in the art. 2. The two preliminary groups are the double round robin tournaments where each player will play 6 games. The two winners from each group will advance to the semifinals.

5.2. Semifinal matches shall consist of 4 games with players alternating colors each round. They will be played as follows:
Winner Group I – Runner up Group II
Winner Group II – Runner up Group I

5.3. The winners of semifinal matches will play the final match that consist of 4 games with players alternating colors each round. The winner of the final match shall be the Challenger for the Classical Chess World Champion Vladimir Kramnik.

5.4 Drawing of lots and colors in the preliminary groups and in the knock out matches was automatically made on the base of the procedure given in the art. 2. The schedule of the event includes the proper colors of the pieces in all the games (a player mentioned on the first place has white in the game).

5.5 The rate of play. The playing session will be 7 hours: 40 moves in the first two hours followed by 20 moves in one hour, followed by all the moves in 30 minutes. The games shall be played using the DGT clocks.

5.6 Conditions of Victory. The number of points scored in the preliminary groups and the knock out matches will establish the final ranking of players. In the event of a tie in the preliminary groups, semifinal matches or in the final match, a tiebreak procedure, a series of rapid games and blitz games shall be applied.

5.7. Play off (tiebreak)

5.7.1. The final ranking order of players shall be determined by the number of points scored. If after 6 games in preliminary groups two players are tied qualifying places (or the 1st place)
or
if after 4 games in semifinals and the final match the score is level,
then two players involved in the tie will play (after the new drawing of lots):

(i) the two games match of rapid chess (Game 25 min. + 5 sec. per move). If the score is still level then after the new drawing of lots they will play:
(ii) the two games match of blitz chess (Game 5 min. + 3 sec. per move). If the score is still level then after the new drawing of lots they will play the same blitz match and continue the matches until one of player scores at least 1,5 points out of 2 games.

5.7.2. If three or more players are involved in the tie in the preliminary groups, then after the new drawing of lots:
(i) the double round robin rapid chess tournament (Game 15 min. + 5 sec. per move) shall be applied. If the scores of three players or more are still level then after the new drawing of lots they will play:
(ii) the double round robin blitz chess tournament (Game 5 min. + 3 sec. per move) and the tournament will be continue until the final ranking of players will be determined.
(iii) However if only two players are tied after the rapid round robin tournament or after the double round robin blitz chess tournament, then they should continue the blitz matches according to art. 5.7.1.

5.7.3 The rapid games shall be played using the DGT clock starting with 25 (15) minutes on the clock and the addition of 10 seconds prior to the move. The blitz games shall be played with 5 minutes on the clock and the addition of 3 seconds prior to the move.
5.7.4 The break between the games and matches is 15 minutes.
5.7.5 The method used for a drawing of lots would be decided by the Chief Arbiter.

6. The tournament regulations

6.1. The current Laws of Chess will be used in the event.
6.2. All the games shall be played in the tournament hall only.
6.3. No postponements shall be allowed.
6.4. The player absent at tournament hall one hour after the beginning of the round for any reason (including illness) is losing the game by forfeit.
6.5. The players are not allowed to speak each other during the games and should stay during the game in their respective areas.
6.6. The following regulations are to be adopted for rapid and blitz games:
(i) Players do not need to record the moves. Instead, an arbiter or an assistant will record the moves.
(ii) The player whose turn it is to move may consult the scores-heet and, if his next move will produce a threefold repetition of position or the 50 moves rule he himself must write the intended move on the scoresheet.
(iii) Illegal moves shall be penalised by adding 2 minutes to the opponent.

7. Obligations of players

7.1. Players are required to attend opening press conference and ceremony.
7.2. The players (usually the winners or both players in case of a draw) should give a short statement after the game in the press room.
7.3. Players are responsible for the actions of acknowledged members of their delegations (seconds and any other individuals who the player allows to conduct business on behalf of the player) in the time during but also immediately before and after the game.
7.4. At the end of each game the players' original scoresheets shall be given to the Arbiter, who shall hand them over to the Organizers in due course.
7.5. In tiebreak games, the players and the Arbiter shall sign the protocol.

8. Photography and Television

8.1. Only photographers and camera crew expressly authorized by the Administrator may work in the playing venue.
8.2. The flash may only be used during the first five minutes of the round.
8.3. In tiebreak games flash may only be used in the first three minutes.
8.4. In case blitz games one minute for each game will be allowed for photographers

8.5. Hotel/Accommodation

Hotel of the Grandmasters: Hilton Dortmund (former: Holiday Inn Crown Plaza – the same hotel as in the years before).
Address: An der Buschmühle 1 (street), Dortmund (nearby Westfalenpark/Westfalenhalle); phone: +49-231-1086-0.
One double room per player, breakfast will be included for the participants; all others costs are to be paid by the participants.
Additional rooms for special rates can be arranged by the Tournament Director Mr. Grastat.

9. Appearance Fees/Prizes

The Organization of the Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting 2002 guarantees an appearance fee of EURO 15.000 (net of taxes). Prize money Euro 250.000 (gross) by the Einstein Group plc London: 1st: Euro 100.000, 2nd: Euro 70.000, 2x3rd: each Euro 40.000. The German tax will be deducted from these prize money. The players will then receive the prize money net and a certificate about the tax payments to avoid double taxation between Germany and the respective home countries of the players.

Signed by

Dr. Andrzej Filipowicz
(Chief Arbiter of the Dortmund Sparkassen-Chess Meeting 2002)