REG - World Chess PLC - World Chess to host anticipated chess rematch

World ChessAnnouncement

09/07/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 5833V  World Chess PLC  09 July 2024

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 14(th) 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:

 World Chess                                           Via Yellow Jersey PR

 Ilya Merenzon, CEO

 Novum Securities Limited -  Financial Adviser         +44 (0) 20 7399 9400

 David Coffman / George Duxberry
 Allenby Capital Limited  - Broker                     +44 (0) 20 3328 5656

 Joscelin Pinnington / Tony Quirke (Sales)

 John Depasquale / Lauren Wright (Corporate Finance)

 Yellow Jersey PR

 Charles Goodwin                                       +44 (0) 774 778 8221

 Annabelle Wills                                       +44 (0) 777 519 4357

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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