9 July
2024
World Chess
Plc
("World
Chess" or the "Company")
World Chess to host highly
anticipated chess rematch
World Chess plc (LSE: CHSS), a
leading chess organisation committed to enhancing the global mass
market appeal of chess by introducing a variety of innovative
chess-related activities, is excited to announce it will be hosting
"Clash of Claims 2", a highly anticipated chess rematch running
from 19 - 21 August 2024, as the first 'Clash of Claims' match
between Vladimir Kramnik and José Alcántara ended in
controversy.
Vladimir Kramnik, the
14th World Chess Champion, has been actively sharing
evidence of what he believes indicates cheating in online chess
tournaments. With the ease of access to software that could help
players cheat, the results of some online tournaments have led to
accusations of deception.
Following Vladimir Kramnik's claims,
in June this year a hybrid approach was suggested with Kramnik
playing against Grandmaster José Alcántara, a well-known online
chess player, in a three-day chess event. This formed the first
'Clash of Claims' event, which was hosted at the Gran Vía Casino in
Madrid and was a mixture of in-person board games and online
matches via the Chess.com platform.
Due to several technical issues with
the Chess.com host platform during the event, World Chess has
invited the players to return for Clash of Claims 2, this time to
be held in London and hosted on its Chessarena.com platform.
This rematch will have stringent physical and
online anti-cheating methods to address previous alleged
shortcomings. Chessarena.com is the only online platform that has
an anti-cheating engine approved by FIDE, the international
governing body of chess.
Chessarena.com plans to leverage
this event to highlight new platform features, including the
introduction of in-game emoticons, and to promote a special 'Clash
of Claims 2' marketing offer for new subscribers. This initiative
reflects chessarena.com's strategy to intensify its marketing
efforts and expand its market share.
The event will run from August 19 -
21 with live commentary from prominent figures in the chess
community and interactive segments for viewers. Clash of Claims 2
will promote the mass market appeal of chess worldwide.
Ilya Merenzon, Chief Executive Officer of World Chess,
said: "We are so excited to welcome these two renowned players, once
again, to the stage to battle it out in
London.
"World Chess and the FIDE Arena are looking forward to
resolving once and for all the fair play allegations raised by
Kramnik, and to enhance the reputability of online chess
tournaments.
"We are confident chessarena.com will provide advanced
anti-cheating measures and a superior platform from which the games
will be hosted.
"Online chess is going through a major transformation right
now. We are possibly witnessing the ultimate way to address all
anti-cheating allegations - by taking an online dispute to the
physical board, marking a truly hybrid approach."
For more information,
please visit https://worldchess.com/investors or
contact:
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World Chess
Ilya Merenzon, CEO
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Via Yellow Jersey PR
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Novum Securities Limited - Financial
Adviser
David Coffman / George
Duxberry
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+44 (0) 20 7399 9400
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Allenby Capital Limited - Broker
Joscelin Pinnington / Tony Quirke
(Sales)
John Depasquale / Lauren Wright
(Corporate Finance)
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+44 (0) 20 3328
5656
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Yellow Jersey PR
Charles Goodwin
Annabelle Wills
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+44 (0) 774 778 8221
+44 (0) 777 519 4357
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Notes to Editors
About World Chess Plc
World Chess (LSE: CHSS) is a
London-based chess gaming and entertainment company and Fédération
Internationale des Échecs ('FIDE') official commercial partner.
World Chess organised the FIDE Championship Matches in the USA, and
the UK, and revolutionised the sport by signing the biggest media
partnerships in history. World Chess develops Armageddon, the chess
league for prime-time television. World Chess also runs FIDE Online
Arena, the exclusive official chess gaming platform. More at
worldchess.com.