Play chess at the Emirates Stadium

New entries are being sought for an iconic edition of Britain’s most prestigious chess event, the 2024 XTX Markets London Chess Classic, starting on November 29 at Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium.

The event’s FIDE Masters tournament, which will take place alongside the main tournament, is open to amateur and professional players alike and currently has an impressive line-up of strong masters.

Grandmasters Justin Tan, Imre Hera, Martin Petrov, and England’s newest GM title-holder Ameet Ghasi, from Birmingham, have been confirmed. At least six more grandmasters are being invited.

The organisers have conditions available to grandmasters to participate in the FIDE Masters – please contact info@chessinschools.co.uk for further details.

Ten international masters have also confirmed their entry while around 25 spaces remain for non-titled players.

Entrants will compete for a total prize fund of £33,500, including a first prize of £10,000, the title of tournament champion and norm opportunities. The nine-round Swiss event will take place from November 29 to December 7.

Entries are also open for a nine-round FIDE U-2000 tournament for players rated under-2000 held over the same dates.

Meanwhile, eight of the world’s top chess grandmasters will feature in the £50,000 elite tournament on the same dates. The final line-up for that eight-player round-robin is:

• Women’s world champion Ju Wenjun
• England’s number-two Nikita Vitiugov
• British champion Gawain Jones
• England’s youngest-ever grandmaster Shreyas Royal
• 8-time British champion Michael Adams
• Former World Rapid champion Shakhriyar Mamedyarov
• America’s 19-year-old rising star Andrew Hong

Live commentary for the main event will be provided by eight-time Russian champion Grandmaster Peter Svidler. It will be available on YouTube, Twitch and the tournament website londonchessclassic.com.

A series of other tournaments and schools events will make the 2024 XTX Markets London Chess Classic an event every level of player can enjoy.

However, all tournaments will take a break for a rest day on December 4 when Arsenal play Manchester United at home. The chess tables will be back out the following day as the events resume.

The 14th London Chess Classic is organised by the charity Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC). Previous winners include legends of the game such as former world champions Magnus Carlsen, Vishy Anand and Vladimir Kramnik.

Defending champion Michael Adams, the eight-time British Chess Champion and former world number-four, is competing in his 14th Classic having featured in every edition since 2009.

International Master Malcolm Pein, Chief Executive of CSC, said:

“While the elite main event grabs all the attention with big-name players, the always strong FIDE Masters running alongside is the real heart of the 2024 XTX London Chess Classic.

“The Masters gives strong players the chance to take the scalp of a master and ambitious players the chance to take another step towards the title they want. And, of course, there are the prizes – £33,500 to win including £10,000 for the winner.

“Taking place in Arsenal’s iconic and impressive Emirates Stadium, this year’s event will be like no other. And I say that as a diehard Liverpool fan!”

GMs and IMs confirmed:

• GM Justin Tan
• GM Imre Hera
• GM Martin Petrov
• GM Ameet Ghasi
• IM Marcus Harvey
• IM Matthew Wadsworth
• IM Jonah Willow
• IM Yangfan Zhou
• IM Richard Per
• IM Aaravamu Balaji
• IM Bjorn Thorfinnsson
• IM Richard Bates
• IM Jack Rudd
• IM Neil Bradbury

Other events scheduled to take place alongside the main event and the FIDE Masters include:The FIDE U-2000, a 9-round classical chess tournament for players rated U-2000.

The LCC Festival, giving opportunities for players of all standards to compete in classical and blitz tournaments

A Schools’ Festival, offering hundreds of children the chance to learn more about the game and experience a world-class chess tournament

A variety of fun events each evening including GM simultaneous displays, variant tournaments, and chess lectures

The ProBiz Cup in which our Grandmasters team up with leaders of business in an alternate-move contest

The LCC Dinner at The Dorchester, raising funds to support the work of Chess in Schools and Communities.

The festival of chess will culminate in a Super Blitz tournament on Saturday, December 7 featuring the eight grandmasters competing in the elite event, invited guests and qualifiers.

Spectator tickets are available for each day’s play. The event will also be available to watch online with commentary.

About Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC):

Chess in Schools and Communities is a UK-wide charity founded in 2009, whose mission is to improve children’s educational outcomes and social development by introducing them to the game of chess. We run over 1,000 projects in schools, libraries and prisons and a world-class tournament, the London Chess Classic, each December.

About XTX Markets:

The London Chess Classic is supported by XTX Markets, a leading algorithmic trading firm. Since 2021, XTX Markets has also proudly sponsored Chess-Fest. XTX Markets’ philanthropic efforts focus on STEM education and maximum impact giving. Since 2017, XTX has donated over £100m to charities and good causes, including over £80m to advancing maths education globally, establishing it as a major maths donor in the UK. These commitments aim to support more students to progress to degrees, PhDs and highly-skilled careers, especially those from low-income backgrounds.

For more information contact:

Leon Watson, Chess in Schools & Communities, 07786078770