It’s going to be the biggest chess olympiad of all ages. After the final closing of the registration list on September the 19th there are more than 2.000 active participants announced at the chess olympiad from November the 12th till November the 25th. The previous appraisal of 1.500 active participants was now outbid.

With 152 registered nations Dresden surpasses the previous Olympiad 2006 in Turin with 7 more countries. The participants distribute themselves to 275 teams, therefrom 156 in the maintournament including the second team of Germany and the teams of the deaf, correspondence chess players and blind persons. 119 women teams are starting.

The chess olympiad is after the Summer Olympics the sporting event with the most participating nations worldwide. With these high numerary the demand is rising too: The International Congress Centre has to admit the players, the arbiters, organizers and official persons, as well as up to 1.500 visitors per diem. Among all nations Russia is the favourite, but almost every world top player is going to attend the Games.

Dresden is also making history in the field of rules. The tournament in autumn comes up with numerous rule changes and is deemed to be the chess olympiad of reformation. Among other changes the player has to sit clocklike on his seat or he is loosing immediately the match. It is not allowed to agree a draw before the 30th move is done.

Press contact: editorial office and press center: Klaus Jörg Lais, +49 -351- 4 88 24 40, E-Mail: KLais@dresden.de