Gibraltar Chess Festival 2006

24th January to February 2nd 2006

Official website: www.gibraltarchesscongress.com

The 4th Gibraltar International will run from 24th January to February 2nd. Scots GM Colin McNab, IM John Shaw are among the confirmed entrants.

Gibraltar: The strategic 2.2 square miles of limestone rock at the mouth of the Mediterranean was captured by forces of Admiral Sir George Rooke after a three day assault during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704. Gibraltar was ceded to Britain, “for ever” by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. The treaty was signed for Britain by the diplomat and bishop John Robinson.

How appropriate that an Admiral Rooke and a Bishop should be principal players in a location which has quickly become a major port of call on the international chess circuit.