ARMENIA TO HOST WORLD’S FIRST ONLINE CHESS COMPETITION
RIA Novosti, Russia
Dec 18 2004
YEREVAN, December 18 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – Yerevan,
Armenian capital, is hosting the world’s first international online
chess tournament.
Dedicated to the 75th birth anniversary of Tigran Petrosyan, 9th
world chess champion, the event opened today to last into Thursday,
December 23.
To make Armenia a known presence not in chess alone but in other
fields is the main tournament goal, say spokesmen for the Armenian
Chess Academy Director.
Armenian, Russian, French and Chinese teams are competing. Pyotr
Svidler, Alexei Dreyev, Alexander Halifman and Vadim Zvyagintsev are
on the Russian team, strongest for its average coefficient, 2,688.
The tournament will have two rounds, each competitor playing white and
black. Every participating country has one referee, to be appointed by
the host country. International judge Ashot Vardapetyan is representing
Armenia, Igor Bolotinsky – Russia, Lin Feng – China, and Jean-Claude
Timpler – France.
The prize fund is $55,000: $20,000 for gold, $15,000 silver, $12,000
bronze, and $8,000 to the 4th.
Chess-lovers from the whole world are welcome to the site
, which offers information in five
languages-Armenian, Russian, French, Chinese and English.
Roughly $80,000 has been earmarked to hold the event, arranged by the
Armenian Chess Academy and the Armenian Chess Federation, both close
partners of the U.S.-based Internet Chess Club. The WEB provider is
responsible for communications.