EC&O Venues Earls Court And Olympia

The London Chess Centre has chosen the Olympia Conference Centre to stage its highly anticipated London Chess Classic 2009 tournament.

The event will be the highest level tournament in London for 25 years and will feature England’s four leading English Grandmasters alongside a world-class field that includes former world champion Vladimir Kramnik and 18-year-old Magnus Carlsen - ranked world number three and widely tipped as a future holder of the world crown.

London Chess Classic 2009 takes place from 8-15 December and will be the first in a series of events designed to reinvigorate UK chess while also promoting the game and its undoubted educational benefits in schools and communities.

Olympia will host the event within a 400-seat soundproof auditorium, with two commentary rooms, multimedia presentation and ample space for speed chess tournaments and junior training.

London Chess Centre’s Malcolm Pein, an International Chess Master said: “We are delighted to have secured an outstanding venue in the Olympia Conference Centre that is keeping with the prestige of the event. Olympia will provide a quality spectator experience for both visitors and online viewers.”

Spectators will be treated to live commentary on the games from Grandmasters and will be able to play serious or informal games all day. Tickets will be available from the London Chess Centre (www.chess.co.uk). Some of England’s leading trainers will be on hand to run chess classes for all levels. For those who cannot attend there will be live coverage and commentary on the games on the internet.

 

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Notes to editors:

For further information please contact:

For further details please contact Malcolm Pein, London Chess Centre

MALCOLMPEIN@aol.com

Claire Kenton, Communications Manager, EC&O Venues

claire.kenton@eco.co.uk / 020 7370 8838

www.eco.co.uk