Final Chess Masters Bilbao 2008

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Programme of activities

Grand Slam Chess Final Masters

Bilbao will receive from September 2 to September 13, the strongest tournament in Chess History. A tournament of the category XXII with an ELO average of the participants of 2775,63. Furthermore, for the first time ever an event of such characteristics will take place in the street, in the Plaza Nueva, right in the centre of Bilbao's Casco Viejo (Old Quarter).

The six players participating are currently among the world’s top ten chess players headed by world’s champion and number one Viswanathan Anand. Along with him, Magnus Carlsen (number two), Vasili Ivanchuk (number three), Veselin Topalov (number six), Teimur Radyabov (number seven) and Levon Aronian (world number ten currently) will compete in Bilbao. No tournament had managed so far to gather such a high Elo’s average level (scoring system to order players’ ranking).

The Final Masters has the official recognition of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and it will be played in a double round robin league during ten days (plus two free days). The total prize funds amounts to €400,000, sum only exceeded by World Chess Championships: €150,000 for the first classified, €70,000 for the second one, €60,000 for the third one, €50,000 for the fourth one, €40,000 for the fifth one and €30,000 for the sixth one.

I International Open “Federación Vizcaína de Ajedrez”

To be played by the first 100 players registered on Saturday morning 13th September with a total prize fund of €4,000.

Rapid Game Tournament “Villa de Bilbao”

To be played daily by 120 players maximum per day on the same days as the Final Masters between 17:00 and 19:00 hrs. This is one of the most spectacular varieties of chess since each player has only 5’ to perform all the movements, thus the game has a frantic playing rate and a very aggressive style. Altogether more than €16,000 in prize fimd to share out, as well as a trip to the M-Tel Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria 2009 for two people.

IV Euskadi Championship on Chess Problems Resolution

To take place on Friday, September 12th (16:00 hrs) also in the Plaza Nueva. The first 120 people to register will participate and will have to solve 40 problems, having to determine the first move that solves each of them within 30 minutes. There will be a total prize fund of €1,500 to be shared out among the first ten classified.

Children activities

During the afternoons of this Tournament there will also be a series of different activities for the youngest ones in the Plaza Nueva, promoted by the Organization, BBK and Euskaltel.

The Experts’ Spot

At this point and from 19:00 hrs on chess experts from all over the world, such as grandmasters Txelu Fernández and Javier Moreno discuss the games in progress for all those interested in deep analysis.

Double press room

In the Plaza Nueva, next to the crystal case and in the premises of the Casco Viejo and La Ribera Marketplace Retailers Association. Journalists from every continent have already expressed their wish to follow live the Grand Slam Final in Bilbao, which will be broadcasted via the Internet all over the world.