Many people are glued to their TV sets during the NBA Finals or, for most Filipinos, during a Manny Pacquiao fight. As for me, while I get excited about basketball and boxing, nothing beats the 64-squared kind of World Championship.
I’m referring to the World Chess Championship, be it in knock-out or match format. From October 14 to November 2, reigning world champion Vishwanathan Anand of India will play against former world champion and Kasparov-conqueror Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn, Germany.
The details, ripped from Chessbase:
When: From October 14 – November 02, 2008
Where: Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn
Prize fund: 1.5 million Euro (= US $2.35 million)
Patron: German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück
Main sponsor: Evonik Industries AG
Duration and time controls: The match consists of twelve games, played under classical time controls: 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves and then 15 minutes for the rest of the game plus an additional 30 seconds per move starting from move 61.
Prize fund: The sum of 1.5 million Euro (approximately 2.35 million US Dollars) including taxes and FIDE license fees, is split equally between the players.
Schedule
*
Tuesday October 14 Game 1
Wednesday October 15 Game 2
Thursday October 16 Free day
Friday October 17 Game 3
Saturday October 18 Game 4
Sunday October 19 Free day
Monday October 20 Game 5
Tuesday October 21 Game 6
Wednesday October 22 Free day
Thursday October 23 Game 7
Friday October 24 Game 8
Saturday October 25 Free day
Sunday October 26 Game 9
Monday October 27 Game 10
Tuesday October 30 Free day
Wednesday October 29 Game 11
Thursday October 30 Free day
Friday October 31 Game 12
Saturday November 1 Free day
Sunday November 2 Tiebreak
Tickets and accommodation
Tickets cost 35 Euro (= US $54.80) per round. They include the following benefits:
* entry to the playing hall;
* entry to the commentary room, where there is analysis and discussions with prominent grandmasters.
The tickets are available at all ticket agencies in Germany. You can also buy tickets for the match in advance via BONNTICKET, by email (tickets@bonnticket.de) or telephone (+49-180-5001812).
So from October 14 to November 2, I’m in the zone. Don’t disturb me.
