Bangkok--Aug 5--SET
The Market for Alternative Investment (mai) will host the special ‘mai Invitational Chess Championship 2005’, with twenty top players vying for nearly THB200,000 worth of prizes. Kick off is on August 12 at the SET building.
mai President Mr. Vichate Tantiwanich announced that the top ten chess players from the Open and Youth levels, combined, have been asked to the ‘mai Invitational Chess Championship 2005’. This includes Mr. Boonsueb Sae-Heng, aka ‘Sian-Waeng’; and Mr. Uaeychai Sae-Lee, aka ‘Nok-Kra-Jub’.
Furthermore, another top five players from each of the two big chess tournaments -- SETTRADE.Com’s ‘Thai Chess Competition 2005’ and the ‘TSD Thailand Open 2005’— will be invited. These 10 players at the youth level will be competing in both Thai and international chess games.
“This special event will be a rehearsal for Thai chess players for future international competitions. We expect that chess will finally be included in the SEA Games hosted in Thailand in 2007.”
As one of the sponsors of this tournament, the president of The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), Mr. Kittiratt Na-Ranong, said that the mai Invitational will add excitement to chess enthusiasts and organizers in Thailand, as it will be the first time that players of traditional Thai and international chess will meet.
“Specially organized matches such as these will surely encourage more chess enthusiasts to begin to participate. Also, this will act as a model for other sport competitions,” said Mr. Kittiratt.
Mr. Suchart Chairvichit, or ‘Sian-Pong’, the Thai Chess Wizard 2004, who will head the judges, said: “Scores of participating chess players will be sent to the FIDE (Fdration Internationale Des ?checs) and adjusted according to FIDE standards.”
The president of the Thailand Securities Depository Co., Ltd. (TSD), Ms. Nongram Wongwanich, stated that the levels of play by participants at the Youth Team Chess Championship and the TSD Thailand Open 2005, plus those outstanding players sent by the TSD to join the Asean Age-Group Chess Championships held recently in Pattaya, have proven that Thai players possess great potential and are capable of developing to international match level if they are supported.
“The TSD will be one of the sponsors of the mai Invitational match, and will send the top players from our previous competitions. This special match will be a great opportunity for Thai players to further develop their skills.”
Ms. Chanisa Chutipat, Chief Executive Officer of SETTRADE.Com Co. Ltd., who hosted the ‘Thai Chess Competition’, stated that “SETTRADE will participate in the mai Invitational match by sending as its representatives the top players from its chess competition. Furthermore, SETTRADE will be granting cash prizes to players in the special matches for outstanding young players selected from the ‘Thai Chess Competition 2005’ and the ‘TSD Thailand Open 2005’. The games will be very interesting, as there were players who did well in both competitions.
“Having players of traditional Thai chess participate in the mai Invitational tournament will not only be an opportunity from them to practice (international) chess, but will also encourage others to try both types of chess,” she said.
Prizes for the mai Invitational Chess Championship 2005 include:
First prize: A trophy and THB50,000 cash
1st runner-up: Honorary plaque and THB30,000 cash
2nd runner-up: Honorary plaque and THB20,000 cash
Consolation prizes: Cash of THB15,000; THB10,000; THB9,000,
for 4th — 10th place THB8,000, THB7,000, THB6,000, and THB5,000
respectively, each with a certificate
The ‘mai Invitational Chess Championship 2005’ will take place on Aug.12-14, 2005, and Aug.20-21, 2005, with 9.00 am and 3.00 pm rounds. The games will be held at the SET Building’s Exhibition Hall, 1st Floor. People wishing to watch the games or show their support to the players are invited to join without charge. For more information, please call Tel. 0-2229-2796.
For more information,
please contact the Corporate Communication Dept.:
Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036
Kulvida Jintakawong Tel: 0-2229-2037
Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049
Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-2797 End.