As a competitive chess player I am used to making the opening move...so I
have taken a chance to reach out to you! While there's already a real
buzz in the chess world it may not have caught your attention yet that
this is shaping up to be a breakout year for chess -
• · A new 23 year old world champion beat Bill Gates, who naturally thinks he is quite good at chess, in just 3 minutes in the Silicon Valley.
• · 80 million people watched the final World Chess Championship game broadcast live in India.
• · Cuba Gooding's chess movie, Life of a King premiered in January and Toby Mcguire's biopic on the greatest US chess player ever, Bobby Fischer, is scheduled to come out later this year.
• · Hundreds of thousands of school children in the US are playing chess as part of their school curriculum. It’s proven to develop children’s planning and thinking skills.
• · A One Million USD prize fund, the largest ever for an open tournament, will be fought over in Vegas in October. Prizes at this level allow talented young players to make a living playing chess. The tournament is working with MIT to change the way audiences follow the game.
The man behind the tournament (millionairechess.com), Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, is known for his historic achievements. He became the game's first African-American Grandmaster back in 1999, does chess commentary for ESPN on Man vs Machine chess matches, and most recently at the 2014 US Chess Championship in St Louis. (http://uschesschamps.com/live
I hope this sparks your interest and if you need any more background info or interviews please let me know.
It's your move now!
=================================================
• · A new 23 year old world champion beat Bill Gates, who naturally thinks he is quite good at chess, in just 3 minutes in the Silicon Valley.
• · 80 million people watched the final World Chess Championship game broadcast live in India.
• · Cuba Gooding's chess movie, Life of a King premiered in January and Toby Mcguire's biopic on the greatest US chess player ever, Bobby Fischer, is scheduled to come out later this year.
• · Hundreds of thousands of school children in the US are playing chess as part of their school curriculum. It’s proven to develop children’s planning and thinking skills.
• · A One Million USD prize fund, the largest ever for an open tournament, will be fought over in Vegas in October. Prizes at this level allow talented young players to make a living playing chess. The tournament is working with MIT to change the way audiences follow the game.
The man behind the tournament (millionairechess.com), Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, is known for his historic achievements. He became the game's first African-American Grandmaster back in 1999, does chess commentary for ESPN on Man vs Machine chess matches, and most recently at the 2014 US Chess Championship in St Louis. (http://uschesschamps.com/live
I hope this sparks your interest and if you need any more background info or interviews please let me know.
It's your move now!
=================================================
Be a Part of History in Vegas!
The 1st million-dollar Open chess tournament is set to take place from October 9-13 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. First place in the Open section is a whopping $100,000 while the $40,000 first place prize in the class sections is simply unheard of. GM Maurice Ashley, who previously ran the $500,000 HB Global Chess Challenge back in 2005, is the one of the lead organizers. The prize fund is absolutely guaranteed (regardless of number of entrants), and the multiple amenities include gift bags for the players, a VIP room, limo pick-up from the airport for 1st 20 GMs and their travel companions, enhanced security to deter cheating, hostesses in the playing area, GM lectures, free GM simuls for participants, and much more. The event will be broadcast live online with a production staged to simulate watching a televised sporting event.
Millionaire Chess Open
October 9-13 or October 10-13,
7SS plus 2 round knockout, 9SS for Open with 2 round knockout for final 4,
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, 3667 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
In 6 sections: $1,000,000 prize fund absolutely guaranteed. Free lectures and GM simuls for registered players.
Open section, October 9-13 only: 40/2, SD/30, d5. After 7 rounds, the top 4 finishers will move on to play a G/25, d5 playoff on Oct. 13. Players outside of the top 4 will finish playing another two rounds on Oct. 13 to win prizes and acquire norms. (see http://millionairechess.com/
Under 2200 to Under 1400 Sections, October 9-13, 10-13: 40/2, SD/30, d5 (4 day option, rds. 1-5 G/45, d5). After 7 rounds, the top 4 finishers in every prize category will move on to play a G/25, d5 playoff on Oct. 13 (only top 2 from U1000). The tournament will be over on Oct. 12 for players who finish outside of the top 4.
Open Section: $100,000-50,000-25,000-14,000-
7-20th-$2,000
21-50th-$1,000
21-50th-$1,000
2350-2499: $40,000-20,000-10,000-$5,000
Under 2350: $40,000-20,000-10,000-5,000
GM and IM norms possible, FIDE rated
Under 2200: $40,000-20,000-10,000-5,000-3,
7th to 20th – $1,000
21st to 50th – $600
7th to 20th – $1,000
21st to 50th – $600
Under 2000: $40,000-20,000-10,000-5,000-3,
7th to 20th – $1,000
21st to 50th – $600
7th to 20th – $1,000
21st to 50th – $600
Under 1800: $40,000-20,000-10,000-5,000-3,
7th to 20th – $1,000
21st to 50th – $600
7th to 20th – $1,000
21st to 50th – $600
Under 1600: $40,000-20,000-10,000-5,000-3,
7th to 20th – $1,000
21st to 50th – $600
7th to 20th – $1,000
21st to 50th – $600
Under 1400 Section: $24,000-12,000-6,000-4,000-3,
Under 1200: $20,000-10,000-6,000-4,000-2,
Under 1000: $8,000-4,000-2,000-2,000-2,000
Unrated/Provisionally rated players may only play in the Open or U2200 sections. The Chief Tournament Director has the final say on the ratings used in the event.
- $1,000 before July 31, 2014
- $1,500 from August 1 through October 8, 2014
- $2,000 from October 9 through 3:30 p.m. October 10, 2014 onsite. No checks, credit cards only.
- Registration officially closes at 3:30 p.m. on October 10, 2014
Discounts: Register with a group of 10-24 players and get 10% off.
Register with a group of 25+ and get 12% off. Rebate paid on site after all players in group have confirmed arrival.
Register with a group of 25+ and get 12% off. Rebate paid on site after all players in group have confirmed arrival.
Re-entry: $400, no re-entry allowed in Open section.
USCF membership required to play in tournament. Register at: https://secure2.uschess.org/
Open Section plays 5-Day schedule only (Time control is 40/120 and G/30 with a 5 second delay): Thu 12:00 pm & 7:00 pm, Friday 11 am & 6 pm, Saturday 11 am & 6 pm, Sunday 11 am. No Draws: A 30-move draw rule will be in effect throughout the event, for the Open Section only, including any playoff games. Player must not agree to a draw before the game or mutually agree to a draw in less than 30 moves.
Playoffs to determine top 4 players: Sunday @ 6 pm (Time control is dependent on number of players vying for a place in the final four. The format will be announced 1 hour before round).
All players who do not make it into the final four will continue to play rounds 8 and 9 to determine 5th place and below, and to qualify for norms. Note the early start time. Rounds 8 and 9: Monday 10 am & 5pm
Round Times for Under 2200, U2000, U1800, U1600 & U1400
5-Day Schedule (Time control is 40/120 and G/30 with a 5 second delay): Thu 12:00 pm & 7:00 pm, Friday 11 am & 6 pm,Saturday 11 am & 6 pm, Sunday 11 am.
4-Day Schedule (Time control is G/45 with a 5 second delay): Fri 5:30 pm & 7:30 pm, Sat 11 am & 1 pm and 3 pm.
For rounds 6 and 7, merge with 5-day and compete for the same prizes.
Playoffs to determine top 4 players: 6 pm (Time control is dependent on number of players vying for a place in the final four. The format will be announced 1 hour before round).
After the final four players have been determined, the tournament is officially over for the rest of the participants in the Under2200, U2000, U1800, U1600, and U1400 sections.
Millionaire Monday Schedule
The top four players from each section will play each other in a double round knock-out to determine the eventual winner and prize distribution. Note that the losers of the semi-finals will play each other to determine who takes 3rd place and who takes 4th place.
Semi-Finals Schedule
Round 1 (G/25 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 11:00 a.m.
Round 2 (G/25 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 12:30 p.m.
Round 2 (G/25 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 12:30 p.m.
1st Tie-Break Round
1st Game (G/15 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 2:00 p.m.
2nd Game (G/15 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 2:45 p.m.
1st Game (G/15 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 2:00 p.m.
2nd Game (G/15 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 2:45 p.m.
2nd Tie-Break Round
1st Game (5min +2sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 3:30 p.m.
2nd Game (5min +2sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 3:45 p.m.
1st Game (5min +2sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 3:30 p.m.
2nd Game (5min +2sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 3:45 p.m.
3rd Tie-Break Round
1 Game (White 5min, Black 3m 30s w/draw odds): Monday, October 13 @ 4:15 p.m.
1 Game (White 5min, Black 3m 30s w/draw odds): Monday, October 13 @ 4:15 p.m.
Finals Schedule: Played to determine 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places.
Round 1 (G/25 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 5:00 p.m.
Round 2 (G/25 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 6:30 p.m.
Round 2 (G/25 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 6:30 p.m.
1st Tie-Break Round
1st Game (G/15 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 8:00 p.m.
2nd Game (G/15 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 8:45 p.m.
1st Game (G/15 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 8:00 p.m.
2nd Game (G/15 +5sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 8:45 p.m.
2nd Tie-Break Round
1st Game (5min +2sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 9:30 p.m.
2nd Game (5min +2sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 9:45 p.m.
1st Game (5min +2sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 9:30 p.m.
2nd Game (5min +2sec delay): Monday, October 13 @ 9:45 p.m.
3rd Tie-Break Round
1 Game (White 5m, Black 3m 30s w/draw odds): Monday, October 13 @ 10:15 p.m.
1 Game (White 5m, Black 3m 30s w/draw odds): Monday, October 13 @ 10:15 p.m.
Sets and boards supplied, bring clocks (some provided).
Hotel rates: Planet Hollywood $112, Bally’s $79, Call 1-866-317-1829, Ask for chess rate. Code Word MC2014
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