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Manchester Metropolis striker Erling Haaland has been unveiled as an investor in a brand new international chess tour, backing the Norway Chess organisation forward of the launch of the Whole Chess World Championship Tour.
The initiative, supported by the Worldwide Chess Federation (FIDE), will function 4 tournaments yearly throughout totally different cities, with a world champion determined throughout quick basic, speedy and blitz codecs. A pilot occasion is scheduled for later this yr, with every season providing a minimal prize pool of $2.7 million.
FIDE has described the venture as “probably the most important developments in trendy chess.”
Haaland, talking about his involvement, highlighted his ardour for the sport and its similarities to soccer.
“Chess is an unbelievable recreation,” he stated. “It sharpens your thoughts. You need to assume rapidly, belief your instincts and assume a number of strikes forward. Technique and planning are every little thing.”
The Norway worldwide added that his funding is pushed by a perception within the sport’s international potential.
“I’m investing in Norway Chess as a result of I consider the brand new Whole Chess World Championship Tour can flip chess into a good greater sport for spectators world wide.”
The tour is predicted to additional elevate chess’s international profile, with Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen already among the many sport’s main figures.
