The suspense is now over…

and the news is grand!  GM Maurice Ashley, CEO of Generation Chess, has announced a $500,000 Open tournament on May 18-22, 2005 at the spectacular Minneapolis Convention Center. The record-busting GUARANTEED prize fund will occur one week prior to the Chicago Open and will be dubbed the "HB Global Chess Challenge."

The event has been endorsed by the United States Chess Federation and Association of Chess Professionals and has the backing of a number of well-heeled companies including: the HB Foundation, Hyatt Regency,  Hilton Hotels, Barnes & Noble, just to name a few (see list of sponsors). The idea behind the event is to help spur what Ashley terms as a "massive step forward for chess."

GM Maurice Ashley (right) with Brian Molohan, Executive Director of HB Foundation.

Having worked on gaining support for this tournament, Ashley kept the news quiet for almost a year until all the pieces were in place.  The tournament will set a new standard for Open tournaments. "An event like the HB Global Chess Challenge has been the dream of players for years, a tournament that will offer very substantial cash prizes and be 'fan friendly' for both the professional and amateur," said Ashley in a press release.

Ashley told The Chess Drum that he would like to invite players from around the world to partake in this historic tournament and is looking for widespread participation. Ashley will provide "ESPN-style commentary" in a spectacle that is sure to capture worldwide media attention. One signature of the event is that players in the Open section cannot offer a draw before move 30. This theme was successfully employed in the Generation Tournament last year. Norms will be possible in this 9-round format. Mark your calendars!

See the Main Website -  Press Release - $500,000 Prize Fund - Sponsors

Generation Chess

Posted by The Chess Drum: 17 September 2004