Chess works really well on TV!

23rd Magistral Ciudad de León
Chess works really well on TV!

http://www.advancedchessleon.com

Leontxo Garcia (Press Officer): León The 2009 experiment went so well that there is no hesitation any more: the Castilla and Leon channel will cover the rapid 2010 Magistral Ciudad de Leon with a daily special program during the tournament and broadcast the end of every match live. Levon Aronian, Boris Gelfand, Leinier Dominguez and Paco Vallejo Pons will play in the magnificent Auditorium to the best of four games (semi-finals, June 4th and 5th; final, the 6th).

“Two people face to face almost motionless for hours may seem the antithesis of television. However, this tournament has an appropriate rhythm, technology and scenery, and has demonstrated how chess works really well on TV if it’s well organized. We realized that on 2009. Consequently, we’ll improve our coverage on 2010”, said Juan Francisco Martin, director of Castilla and Leon TV, during a presentation in Leon.

In order to fit well on TV, chess has to be transformed into a good show, and not only by speeding the game. Remote control cameras at the stage (and even on the playing table), electronic boards, giant screens, GM commentary for the spectators’ headphones and, not less important, a nice and suitable venue, such as the Auditorium, equipped with the latest technology.

The Castilla and Leon TV will rely on four professional and experienced chess commentators for its broadcasting: GM Miguel Illescas, Jesus Boyero, Miguel Angel Nepomuceno and the writer of these lines.

The TV coverage will include the parallel activities, which are always important in Leon: the Chess Films Week (May 24-30th), a lecture by Leontxo Garcia (chess against Alzheimer), another lecture for young talents by GM Miguel Illescas, and a simul with 25 amateurs by Levon Aronian.

The presentation in Leon was also good to double check how the traditional sponsors are still supporting this renowned tournament, despite the world’s economic crisis.

The public sponsors (City Hall, Diputacion [province government], University and Junta de Castilla y Leon) and the private ones (Alsa, Cajaduero, MIC Publishing House, S3P and others) are committed themselves to chess as a very useful social tool, but also as a good show which can fit well on TV.