Press Releases

2019 GCT to expand to twelve full tour participants, eight events and a $1.75 million prize fund

Saint Louis, MO, January 24, 2019 – The fifth edition of the Grand Chess Tour (GCT) will see the tour expand to eight tournaments and increase the number of full tour participants to twelve. The tour will also welcome fourteen event level wildcards in 2019. Tour participants will fight for a record prize fund of $1.75 million as the GCT expands its reach to four continents to include tournaments in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. The prize money on offer for the classical tournaments has been increased to $325,000 per event ($90,000 for 1st place and $60,000 for 2nd) while the prize fund for the GCT Finals in London will also be raised to $350,000 ($150,000 for 1st place and $100,000 for 2nd).

Grand Chess Tour Adding Additional Stops and Official Branding Partner

Saint Louis, MO, December 17, 2018 – The Grand Chess Tour (GCT) is pleased to announce that the 2019 Grand Chess Tour will be expanded to include a minimum of six regular season events. The tour will once again culminate in a Final featuring matches between the top placed qualifiers. Three exciting new events are already confirmed for 2019 including tournaments in Africa and Asia for the first-time. 

Carlsen & Dominguez Accept Wildcard Invitations for Grand Chess Tour Tournaments in Saint Louis

The Grand Chess Tour is pleased to announce that reigning World Champion GM Magnus Carlsen from Norway and GM Leinier Dominguez Perez from Cuba have both accepted wildcard invitations to participate in the 2018 Grand Chess Tour at our forthcoming tournaments in Saint Louis, USA in August 2018.

London Chess Classic to host 2018 Grand Chess Tour Finals

The 2018 Grand Chess Tour will conclude with an exciting new format at the London Chess Classic. The four top‑scoring players will contest a semi-final and final that will determine the overall winner and top 4 places in the 2018 GCT. The format change has been determined by the GCT Advisory Board and was announced earlier today during the 8th and penultimate round of the London Chess Classic.

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