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HB Global Chess Challenge Begins Next Week

Polgar Sisters to Give Tandem Simul

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HB Global Chess Challenge Begins Next Week

The HB Global Chess Challenge, billed as the richest open tournament in the history of chess, begins Wednesday, May 18th in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The nine-round swiss-system tournament features a guaranteed prize fund of $500,000.

The tournament is being held in the Minneapolis Convention Center, and spectators are welcome to watch for free.

The available prizes are spread over several sections, with the winners in most sections receiving $10,000-$20,000. In the open section, the champion will take a $50,000 prize, and the top 50 finishers will receive prize money.

Over 40 GMs, along with many other titled players, are already registered for the tournament. In all, over 1400 people are registered.

We will be providing complete coverage of this tournament in the coming weeks. For the official tournament website, click here.

Polgar Sisters to Give Tandem Simul

For the first time in over ten years, all three famous Polgar sisters - Judit, Susan and Sofia - will give a tandum simul during the International Chess Festival in Las Vegas. The Simul will be held on Thursday, June 9th, the same day as the National Open Blitz Championship.

The Polgar sisters are well known for breaking ground in the top levels of chess. Susan Polgar is the top-rated female player in the United States, while her sister Judit is currently one of the top-ten players in the world - male or female.

Participation in the simul will cost $50 per board. Late registration will be allowed at 3:00 pm on the day of the event; the simul will start promptly at 3:30.

There will also be another chance to meet the Polgar sisters before round 1 of the National Open! On Friday, June 10th at 8:30 am, you can have breakfast with all three Polgar sisters. They will speak about their experiences in the chess world.

These activities and more are all part of the International Chess Festival, being held June 9th through June 13th. There will also be lectures, analysis and chess camps throughout the weekend. For more information, please visit http://64.com/natlopen.