London Chess Classic – Chess in in Schools

Press release

Chess in Schools and Communities is delighted to announce that the 3rd London Chess Classic will be staged at the Olympia Conference Centre in Kensington from Saturday 3rd December to Monday 12th December. The 3rd edition of what has already become one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments will be bigger and better than its predecessors, with more children’s events and an even stronger field, the composition of which will be announced shortly.

There will be two extra rounds, as the addition of one more top flight player to this year’s main event will make it a nine player all play all. One player will sit out each day and keep the spectators at Olympia and online, doubly entertained by joining the commentary team.

The field is almost complete and is absolutely stellar with the world champion Vishy Anand aiming to unseat Magnus Carlsen, the winner of the first two London Chess Classic tournaments. Aglance at the Live Rating List shows that the Classic will have five of the world’s top six as we are honoured to welcome for the first time, Levon Aronian from Armenia ranked fourth in the world.

When players are invited to the Classic they always want to return and former world champion Vladimir Kramnik had no hesitation in accepting his invitation. He commented: "I am very glad and honoured to be invited again to London Chess Classic 2011. It is a great tournament in a great city where I have some very pleasant memories. I can sincerely say that it has quickly become my favourite tournament and I will try my best to win it one day."

Kramnik is ranked fifth in the world and will be looking to avenge his defeat last year by US number one Hikaru Nakamura who has shot up the rankings since London 2010 and is now ranked number six.

The English players will again be led by the UK number one Michael Adams and former world title challenger Nigel Short. David Howell, who surprised everyone including perhaps himself with his stunning debut in 2009 when he came third, will be aiming to repeat this success.

In 2010, 500 children came for free chess lessons from GMs IMs and top chess coaches. This year we will be doubling the number of invitations to schools and free lessons will be available on five days. The 2009 London Chess Classic led to the creation of a new charity in 2010. Chess in Schools and Communities aims to put a chess club in every school in England and Wales and already operates in eight towns and cities around the UK and in 64 schools. Schools receive free equipment and visits from a chess coach. See www.chessinschools.co.uk

From September the number of schools in the CSC scheme will rise to 100 with another 150 receiving some form of assistance. CSC has also been running training courses for teachers to learn how to teach the game. The charity was recently featured on BBC Breakfast television.

Another innovation this year will be a day of chess cultural events with lectures and film screenings including the recently released documentary Bobby Fischer against the World.

The traditional Open tournament and Blitz will be supplemented by two weekend congresses and this also means that players in the Open will only have to take five days off work to play all nine rounds. The gala dinner will take place after the last round on December 12th at Simpson’s in the Strand, the home of chess in London since the 19th century.

Magnus Carlsen takes on guests at the celebration dinner held at Simpson’s-in-the-Strand

Mission

• To encourage teaching and playing chess in state schools and inner city communities.

• To organise and promote world class chess events as a catalyst for mass participation.

• To raise the profile of chess and highlight its educational and social benefits.

The timetable of the 2011 London Chess Classic

There is even more including a FIDE Arbiters seminar and two CSC training courses. The traditional simultaneous displays will take place again and there will be blitz every evening! For a complete schedule please see: www.londonchessclassic.com/schedules.htm

Each day, one player will have a day off and will assist the LCC commentary team both at Olympia and in the Internet broadcast, making the Classic even more exciting to watch. There will also be five days of junior coaching, a Grandmaster Open, and weekend tournaments for players of all levels. An innovation this year will be a chess festival with lectures, teaching and film screenings. The prize fund has been increased again and will be in excess of €150,000.

Malcolm Pein (IM)
Tournament Director

Chess Promotions Ltd
44 Baker Street, London, W1U 7RT
Email: chessinschools@gmail.com

Links

• Official tournament site
• All ChessBase reports on the Chess Classic 2011
• All ChessBase reports from 2010 and from 2009