Athens Chess Festival

with simul by GM Alexandra Kosteniuk

The Athens Chess Festival will take place in Petroupoli Square, Athens, Greece from the 10-14 October 2009. It is organised by Petroupoli Chess Club “DIAS” (DIAS is the Greek god often called “Zeus”) with the support of the Municipality of Petroupoli and the Greek Chess Federation (Ε.Σ.Ο.).

The festival includes video lectures, debates, discussions, chess tournaments, rapid and bullet events.

The Festival aims to promote chess as an olympic sport and to encourage the participation of women and the youth through dedicated tournaments and events including also video projections and discussions. It is a not-for-profit event and aims to promote high ethical standards in sport.

A giant chess set will be installed permanently in the centre of Petroupoli’s main square for the general public to enjoy and it is hoped that it will become a popular social focus in the area.

The star of the Festival is the Women’s World Chess Champion GM Alexandra Kosteniuk. She give a Simul on the 14th of October playing against 10 juniors, 10 women and 10 men. It will be the first simul given by a Women World Champion in Greece, confirm the organizers.

More about GM Alexandra Kosteniuk

Kosteniuk wins the WCCC in Nalchik

Kosteniuk in Vogue

Kosteniuk is WMSG champion

Festival Program

10.10 17:00 Opening ceremony / 18:00 Blitz tournament / 22:00 DJ Party
11.10 12:00 Junior blitz tournament / 12:00 Discussion "Ther future of school chess" / 18:00 Video lectures
12.10 18:00 Open rapid tournament / 21:00 Video chess lectures
13.10 18:00 Discussion "What is a simul" / 19:00 Simul Practice
14.10 Simul with GM Alexandra Kosteniuk

Official site: chessfest2009.wordpress.com