A historic event at Plaza Nueva

Chess Grand Slam Final in Bilbao
09/02/2008

Bilbao holds Grand Slam Chess Final Masters from today until 13th September. Due to the level of the participants and total prizes amount it is being one of the most important tournaments in chess history.

Bilbao will hold this year the first Grand Slam Chess Final Masters from 2nd through 13th September, which due to the level of the participants and total prizes amount it will become one of the most important tournaments in chess history.

For the first time ever in an event of such characteristics, the games will take place in the street, in the Plaza Nueva, right in the center of Bilbao’s Old Town in a huge soundproofed and air-conditioned glazed case.

This glass case placed under a marquee will also accommodate ‘The Agora’ for analysis and comments, a space located by the glass case where the audience will also be able to enjoy comments from Chess Grandmasters among whom we can name Boris Spassky and Susan Polgar. Tables and chairs arranged in a “pavement cafe” fashion will help following of the chess games in a collective, dynamic, open and participating way, all in a relaxing atmosphere, commenting the games while participating in informal gatherings and debates arisen around the competition.

This stage will accommodate a large number of activities connected to chess and addressed to very different people: I International Open “Federacion Vizcaina de Ajedrez; Rapid Game Tournament “Villa de Bilbao”; IV Euskadi Championship on Chess Problems Resolution; Activities for children; the Experts’ Space; and the Closing Ceremony.

The weekend, September 6th and 7th, and taking advantage of the opportunity given by a friendly football match organized by Bilbao’s Athletic Club in San Mames football ground, there will be an attempt to break the Guinness record for the chess game watched live by the highest number of people. It will be played right in the center of the football ground during the half time of the match.

Source: http://www.eitb24.com/