The Grand Chess Tour is a circuit of international events, each demonstrating the highest level of organization for the world's best players. The Tour was created in partnership between the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (Sinquefield Cup) and Chess Promotions, Ltd. (London Chess Classic). The legendary Garry Kasparov, one of the world's greatest ambassadors for chess, inspired the Grand Chess Tour and helped solidify the partnership between the organizers. His tireless efforts to popularize the game around the world mirror the goals and ambitions of the Grand Chess Tour.
2017 Grand Chess Tour Overview
The 2017 Grand Chess Tour is a series of five chess tournaments held throughout the year and across the globe. A total of nine players were selected as full 2017 Grand Chess Tour participants. Three spots were awarded to the top finishers in the 2016 GCT, another three to the top players by average 2016 rating and the final three were determined by the GCT advisory board as tour wildcards. Tour participants will play both classic events and two of the three rapid and blitz events. Unlike last year, every result will count toward a player's final GCT standing.
In total the Grand Chess Tour boasts an impressive $1.2 million prize fund, awarded as follows:
| Event |
Playing Dates * |
Prizes |
|---|
| Paris GCT |
21 - 25 June |
$150,000 |
| Your Next Move |
28 June - 2 July |
$150,000 |
| Sinquefield Cup |
2 - 12 August |
$300,000 |
| Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz |
14 - 19 August |
$150,000 |
| London Chess Classic |
1 - 11 December |
$300,000 |
| GCT Prize Pool |
|
$150,000 |
|---|
| Total GCT Prizes |
|
$1,200,000 |
|---|
* For full schedule details, please visit the respective tournament pages.
