SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Grand Chess Tour (GCT) has announced its 2021 schedule, returning to action from its 2020 hiatus due to global pandemic circumstances.
Recognised as world chess’ most prestigious tour series, the GCT sees FIDE’s 12 leading ‘Grandmasters’ and wild card entries compete in five tournaments featuring ‘classical’ and ‘rapid&blitz’ (10-and-3 minute clocks) game formats.
Romanian bookmaker Superbet has announced that its ‘Superbet Foundation’ will serve again as a principal partner of the GCT 2021 tour.
Established in 2019 by company founder Sacha Dragic the Superbet Foundation aims to support and promote Romanian sports activities. The bookmaker noted Romania ranked as 22nd out of 186 in the FIDE (International Chess Federation) rankings.
Supporting Romanian chess’ growing ambitions, in 2019 the Superbet Foundation sponsored the GCT’s Rapid&Blitz Tournament in Bucharest.
Following 2019’s success, the GCT will kick-off its tour hosting Romania’s first-ever classical chess tournament from 3-15 2021 in Bucharest, featuring a championship prize pool of $325,000.
Paris and Zagreb have been confirmed as the GCT’s other European tournament destinations, with the international series culminating with the hosting of the legacy ‘Sinquefield Cup’ at the heritage Saint Louis Chess Club (16-28 August 2021).
The Superbet Foundation joins French media group Vivendi SA and Canadian investment fund Colliers International as principal partners of the GCT 2021.
In 2019, the GCT series grabbed international news headlines, as the tour champion Ding Liren became the first chess player to beat Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen since 2007.
