Challenge a Grandmaster!

On Sunday, the public will be able to challenge GM Jonathan Rowson, Scotland's top player, in outdoor combat over the chessboard on the Princes Mall at the east end of Princes Street, Edinburgh. Jonathan will take on as many as twenty all-comers simultaneously.

This fun event, starting at 2.30 pm, marks the start of The Smith & Williamson British Chess Championships and two weeks of serious chess in George Heriot's School for almost a thousand enthusiasts from all over the Commonwealth. Edinburgh has hosted the event on three previous occasions - in 1920, 1926 and 1985. Jonathan along with Paul Motwani and Colin McNab, Scotland's other two Grandmasters, will be competing to become British Champion with a first prize of £10,000. Sixteen-year-old Edinburgh school student, Joe Redpath, will be the youngest Scot in the Championship and should continue his meteoric rise in the rankings. Elaine Rutherford, returning to chess competition after her first year of medical studies, will be not be under-estimated after her recent rapidplay defeat of Jonathan Rowson.

There are events to suit all ages and abilities - Under 8 and Senior Championships, Weekend and Rapidplay events, Graded and Open tournaments. Spectators are welcome and are invited to join the Commentary by International Master Andrew Martin on the top matches at 3 pm daily.

The Rt Hon Gavin Strang will formally open these Championships run by the British Chess Federation
on Monday 21 July by making the first move! On Saturday 2 August, The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, The Rt Hon Lesley Hinds, will present the prizes bringing to a close this prestigious event. In her message of welcome, The Lord Provost hopes that competitors, spectators and officials will take time to get around the city and enjoy some of its many attractions.

17 July 2003

Hugh S Flockhart
Director, Chess Scotland
0131 661 3022
hughmoya@talk21.com