FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	                   Contact:	Eric C. Johnson
September 14, 1998                            (845) 562-8350
Press Release #44 of 1998	             Local Contact: Frank Gardner
					                (702) 233-4138

FIDE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IN LAS VEGAS
NOV. 29 - DEC. 27

The World Chess Federation (FIDE), in conjunction with the U.S. Chess Federation (USCF), has officially announced that it will hold the 1998 World Chess Championship in Las Vegas, Nev. from Nov. 29 through Dec. 27 with a guaranteed prize fund of $3 million. The Bellagio Casino Hotel will serve as the host property for the event. FIDE also announced that it has hired Fishman & Associates to handle the advertising and marketing duties for the event.

"We are very excited at this opportunity to bring our championship to the United States," said FIDE Executive Director Emmanuel Omuku, "and Las Vegas provides a spectacular background for this duel of the finest minds in chess."

"The popularity of chess is at an all-time high," said USCF Executive Director Michael Cavallo. "What better way to celebrate than with a $3 million championship here in Las Vegas."

Bellagio, Mirage Resorts' newest property, is scheduled to open Oct. 15 and promises to be one of the world's most elegant and spectacular resorts. The Bellagio Gallery of fine art will display works spanning both the Impressionist and Abstract Expressionism movements. Represented will be works of every famous artist of these periods from Monet, van Gogh and Renoir to Matisse, de Kooning and Lichtenstein. Fine dining will be an experience at Bellagio with gourmet rooms from some of the most prominent restaurateurs in the country. The resort's grounds will surround a soothing lake that will feature an extraordinary dance of light, water and music. An indoor botanical conservatory will change color with the seasons and the resort's shopping arcade will be home to beautiful boutiques and shops including Hermes, Armani, Prada, Gucci, Chanel and Tiffany & Co. The world-renowned Cirque du Soleil will introduce a new production in a theater reminiscent of the Paris Opera House.

Fishman & Associates, a Las Vegas based marketing and management firm, collectively have over 50 years of advertising, marketing and casino gaming tournament experience. The company has devised a number of marketing strategies for the event including air and hotel packages and a new, state of the art website.

Along with the championship, there are plans to hold a number of side tournaments and special events. All details of these events, player lists, package information and other news highlights will be released in the coming weeks.

# # #

For more information about this and other chess events, contact Assistant Director Eric C. Johnson, U.S. Chess Federation, 3054 NYS Route 9W, New Windsor, NY 12553; phone: (845) 562-8350; FAX: (914) 561-2437; or see our weekly news column on the World Wide Web: http://www.uschess.org.