Blitz and Rapid for everyone: The Plus City Grand Prix 2024 in Pasching (Austria)

by ChessBase
5/3/2024 – For the third time since 2022, the Plus City Centre in Pasching (near Linz, Austria) is hosting a major rapid chess and blitz event. Four tournaments will be held from 9 to 12 May, namely the Open Austrian Team Championship in Blitz Chess and Rapid Chess, an Open Blitz Tournament and an Open Rapid Chess Tournament. The total prize fund is €60,000, and with Vishy Anand, Alexandra Kosteniuk and Zhu Chen, three world champions are taking part in this year's Open Blitz Championship.

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In addition to the titles of Austrian Team Champion in Blitz Chess 2024 and Austrian Team Champion in Rapid Chess 2024 and Austrian Women's Team Champion in Blitz Chess 2024 and Austrian Women's Team Champion in Rapid Chess 2024, there is a total of €60,000 in prize money up for grabs. The two team tournaments on Thursday (Ascension Day) and Sunday will take place when the shops are closed. The organisers are expecting around 1000 registrations for the four tournaments.

In addition to club teams, 'fantasy teams' of any four chess friends can take part. Although they cannot become national champions, they can win cash prizes.

Michael Stöttinger (right) with Anand and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich

Spiritus Rector and head of the event is Michael Stöttinger, President of the Austrian Chess Federation. At his invitation, the FIDE Council will hold a meeting on the sidelines of the tournament. The FIDE officials will take the opportunity to participate with two teams in the Open Austrian Team Championship in Blitz.

The tournament 2023

Former Women's World Champion Mariya Muzychuk during a simul

FIDE Team 1 will be led by the 15th World Chess Champion and twelve-time World Rapid Champion Viswanathan Anand. As Deputy President, Anand is the first deputy to FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.

FIDE Treasurer Zhu Chen, a former Women's World Champion (2001 - 2004), will also be taking part, along with well-known FIDE officials GM Victor Bologan, GM Mohammed Al-Modiahki and WGM Dana Reizniece-Ozola. IM Akaki Iashvili, WFM Sava Stoisavljevic, Alex Martynov and GM Pavel Tregubov will play in FIDE Team 2. Alexandra Kosteniuk, another former Women's World Champion, will also be taking part in the tournaments.

As a special gag, chocolate with pictures of the players and World Champions will be distributed at the tournament.

Team FIDE

The former World Champions on the 200 g pack

The current World Champion

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