100 Players in International Chess Bout

PRLog (Press Release) - Jul 27, 2008 -
100 Players in International Chess Bout

MANAMA, Bahrain - The Arcapita International Chess Championship, with an anticipated hundred top-rated competitors, is scheduled to be held in early January in Bahrain.
   The cash purse will have  BD 5,000 (over $13,225), with possibly $4,000 to the champ, according to Jamal Abdulghaffar, treasurer of Bahrain Chess Club, AICC organiser.
   In a Swiss-system format, the AICC is likely to have nine rounds played over 11 or 12 days including two days of rest when participants would visit schools and undertake other activities to acquaint themselves with Bahrain as well as promote chess.
   “We plan to invite two dozen grandmasters from as many countries to the AICC while many other high-rated players, totalling up to 100 entrants, will certainly want to get into the tournament,” Abdulghaffar underlined.  
   Arcapita, one of Bahrain’s leading investment companies, is title sponsor of AICC which will be internationally rated.
   Citations and prizes are being considered for the best Arab player, the top three placements and other categories, according to Abdulghaffar.
                   The AICC is the second international contest organised by BCC after the first held in May 2007 when nearly 70 players from about 10 countries competed.
   BCC president Dr. Khalid Al-Awadhi, said, “Arcapita’s support of this international open chess championship is excellent news for the game in Bahrain and for Bahrain itself.
                   “With their backing, we can stage a world-class event building on our previous championship, with prize money that’ll undoubtedly attract some of the world’s leading players.
                   “The presence of major international players of the game will add extra excitement and stature to the tourney,” Dr. Al-Awadhi said, “encouraging new players into the game here in Bahrain.
                  “The presence of international standard players will also help to generate international interest in Bahrain.”
                 Atif A. Abdulmalik, Arcapita chief executive officer, commented, “We’re pleased to support Bahrain Chess Club in staging this international chess tourney which we believe has several benefits for Bahrain.
               “It’ll be an opportunity to encourage more players into the national game as well as another way for Bahrain to raise its profile globally. We look forward to seeing some top international players in Bahrain next year.”
   For more information, interested players may contact BCC at chessclub.bahrain@gmail.com.

Photo:
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