It
will take place in Bilbao from the 15th of September to 27th
of September 2008
THE TOTAL PRIZE FUND FOR THE GRAND SLAM FINAL IS 400.000€
·
Six participants are taking part: the winners of the
tournaments of Linares, Mtel-Sofia, Corus-Wijk Aan Zee and Ciudad de Mexico,
to these four winners will join two invited players.
The Grand Slam Chess Festival “Bilbao Final Masters Tournament
2008” will be held in Bilbao, capital city of Vizcaya. The dates and prizes of
the tournament have already been confirmed, it will take place from the 15th
of September to 27th of September 2008 and it will probably be
among the world best tournaments in chess history. The total prize fund for
the Tournament is 400.000 Euros, 150.000€ for the first prize, being the
highest prize in world chess tournaments, excluding the one from Fide world
chess championship.
The players who will take part in the Masters Final will be the
winners of the following tournaments: Corus-Wijk Aan Zee (Holland, January
11-27), Linares (Spain, February 15 to March 9), MTEL-Sofia (Bulgaria, May
6-18) and Ciudad de México (Mexico, June 21 to July 6), to these four winners
will join two more players, who will earn a place by winning a world top
tournament or by special invitation made by the organization.
The primary objective of the Grand Slam Tournaments is to
dignify and modernize chess, all of this together with the task of turning
elite chess into a magnificent sport spectacle. We are working with this aim
in taking special care of the good image of chess and players (establishing
rules to cut down or eliminate short draws.); developing a strong
collaboration with the FIDE; improving relationships with the media;
incorporating Information Society tools in terms of implement new ways to
allow fans to follow and participate in the tournaments, whether it be by
attending them or through internet portals, and finally, promoting initiatives
that enhance the social and educational role of chess.
Bilbao, 9th August, 2007
