Brains in Bahrain press release

The Brains In Bahrain / Man vs Machine chess match - between the World Chess Champion, Vladimir Kramnik, and the world's most powerful chess computer, Deep Fritz - has today (Thursday 20th September) been postponed in response to last week's terrorist attack on the United States.

Originally scheduled to take place in Bahrain during October, the match is now being planned to take place in early 2002.

The decision to postpone the event was made by the match organisers - the Brain Games Network and the Government of Bahrain - after full consultation with the two teams and the broader chess fraternity.

"In light of last week's tragedy in the United States, we have decided that it is both correct and necessary to postpone the Brains In Bahrain / Man vs Machine match until early 2002", commented Sir Jeremy Hanley, Chairman, Brain Games Network. "Just as similar international events throughout the Middle East and the rest of the world are being postponed, we too felt that it would be inappropriate to proceed with the match during a period of such concern and tragedy."

Shaikh Mohammed Bin Essa Al Khalifa, the President of the Bahraini Organisational Committee, added: "This is a decision of both the heart and the head. It is a mark of respect to the families and friends of those who have died. It is also an acknowledgment of the anticipated disruption to normal life over the coming months."

"We are, however, determined that the event will go ahead - and are confident that we will be able to announce the details for the rescheduled date on our website www.brainsinbahrain within the next two weeks."

Match director Raymond Keene today informed us that Yousuf Shirawi, the organiser of the BGN Man-Machine Match in Bahrain, has contacted Vladimir Kramnik asking for a postponement of the contest. Mr Shirawi has proposed firm new dates between March 20th and June 30th, 2002.

Keene writes: "The Bahrain government has firmly committed itself to hosting the match and providing the one million dollar prize fund. Bahrain proposes that world champion Kramnik should choose the new dates himself. The reasons cited are the ongoing difficulties experienced in the period after September 11th, the need to maximise tv opportunities and time available to practise with the chosen hardware."

Journalists with questions pertaining to the match should contact: John Fioravanti, Hector Proud or John Henderson. For further information on the Man vs. Machine: http://www.brainsinbahrain.com/