| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: Monday, June 18, 2001 |
Release # 218-01 |
| Contact: | Sunny Mindel / Lynn Rasic | (212) 788-2958 |
| Andy Gould / Beryl Solomon (Sports Commission) | (212) 788-8389 |
"Chess is a challenging game that helps develop mental discipline, critical thinking, and self-esteem," Mayor Giuliani said. "We are pleased that New Yorkers will have the opportunity to view this exciting international tournament. The free admission and viewer-friendly format of this chess competition will ensure that many people will be able to witness the genius of chess."
Commissioner Podziba said, "We are delighted to welcome participants from around the world to New York City to participate in the Mayor's Cup International Grandmaster Chess Tournament. The competition promises to be nine days of exciting and entertaining chess that all New Yorkers can enjoy."
There will be 10 participants in the Mayor's Cup Grandmaster Chess Tournament: 4 International Grandmasters, 5 International Masters, and 1 FIDE Master. Included in this group of impressive participants are the youngest American International Master, Hikaru Nakamura (13 years old), and the 1999 United States Women's Champion, Irina Krush.
Susan Polgar, Event Director and President of the Polgar Chess Authority, and also world champion chess player, said, "We look forward to an exciting tournament with lots of fighting games in a friendly atmosphere. The tournament will allow the players to compete for an international master and/or grandmaster norm, as well as to determine the winner for the coveted Mayor's Cup."
The fundamentals of the game of chess can be traced back to 600 CE in India. Originally, however, the game was called chaturanga and the rules were slightly different than they are today. As knowledge of chaturanga grew and popularity increased, the game spread to Asia and the Middle East, eventually arriving in Europe in 1100 CE where the rules and the names of the pieces evolved into chess as we know it today.
www.nyc.gov