Bangkok--Jan 24--SET
Thailand Securities Depository Co. Ltd. (“TSD”) joins the Thailand Chess Association in organizing a national chess competition entitled “TSD Thailand Chess Championship 2006” to look for Thai chess players to compete in the “Chess Olympiad 2006” in Turin, Italy as well as other international competitions in 2006. Winners will receive trophies and more than THB400,000 in prizes. Applications are being accepted now.
The TSD announced that it will promote youth development activities including chess competitions, which help improve competitors’ planning skills. The “TSD Thailand Chess Championship 2006” will be held, and is the competition’s second year. This event gives Thai youths an opportunity to spend their free time more beneficially and it will help to encourage youths to be their best in international chess competitions.
This year, the “TSD Thailand Chess Championship 2006 will create a category for women, in addition to its Youth and Open categories. The Championship will commence on Saturday and Sunday, February 4-5, 2006.
On Saturday and Sunday February 11-12, 2006, the Open category’s contests will be held. The Open Category will only accept 120 contestants this year. Meanwhile, on Saturdays and Sundays, March 18-19, and March 25—26, 2006, the contests for the Youth and Women categories will be scheduled. All competitions will be held at The Stock Exchange of Thailand building on Ratchadapisek Road, Bangkok. It is expected that more than 200 contestants will be enrolled in the competitions this time.
Prizes for the Open category total THB270,000. The winner will receive THB100,000 cash, a trophy and a certificate, and will be eligible to take part in the selection process to find Thailand’s representatives for the “ Chess Olympiad 2006 ” in Turin, Italy. The total prizes for the Youth and Women categories are more than. THB89,000.
In addition to the “TSD Thailand Chess Championship 2006”, the TSD will be promoting two other major chess competitions: the Bangkok Chess Club competition in April, and the TSD Invitational Chess Championship in November. Both local and international chess players will be invited to join in these contests.
Chairman of Thailand Chess Association, Mr. Vichate Tantiwanich, said, “I am confident that the TSD Thailand Chess Championship 2006 will attract a great number of chess players. The draw of this year’s competition is the exceptionally high worth of the competition’s prizes when compared with other competitions.
“Most importantly, the winners of this year’s games will have a chance to represent Thailand in many international chess competitions throughout 2006. And because this competition is open to players of all genders, ages and professions, we are confident that we will find new talented players.”
This year’s game will be using the Swiss system, which is internationally accepted, and will be using FIDE (the World Chess Federation) rules.
“At present, the game of chess in Thailand is developing slowly, when compared with its neighboring countries in Asia. Currently the event focuses on a limited group of players and is not yet popular amongst others. This year, the Thailand Chess Association will work harder towards making Thai players achieve international standards. It is also hoped that such a national competition will help make more people interested in chess”, said Mr. Vichate.
Assistant to the President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency, Dr. Rom Hiranpruk, said that he has been interested in chess since he was young and has found the game to be a very beneficial endeavor, especially for Thai youth. The game of chess helps develop one’s thinking process and helps youths find a more useful way to spend their time. He called on all relevant agencies to help promote this game in a move to help develop Thailand’s youth and the society further.
For those who want to enroll in the “TSD Thailand Chess Championship 2006”, call 0 2229 2225-6 or apply in person by bringing a copy of your ID card to the SET Building, next to the Queen Sirikit Convention Center, daily (except holidays) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from today onwards.
For more information,
please contact the Corporate Communications Dept.:
Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036
Kulvida Jintakawong Tel: 0-2229-2037
Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049
Watsamon Saowakhonsathien End.