81st edition: 11 – 27 January 2019

The Tata Steel Chess Tournament is one of the most prestigious chess events in the world, attended by world class players as well as a large number of amateurs. The event is known as the “Wimbledon of chess” and during the two weeks of the tournament 28 grandmasters play each other in two groups (Masters and Challengers) for the title. Besides “the Main Event’ in Wijk aan Zee, the Masters play at two other locations for the Chess on Tour Events in Alkmaar and Leiden.

Tata Steel Chess Tournament

“It’s an honor to play in Wijk aan Zee. Every

player wants to win this tournament at least

once in his life” – Anish Giri,

Best Dutch chess player and No. 12 in the

world.

“It was one of my goals to win this

prestigious tournament.”

Wesley So – Winner 79th TSCT.

What makes this chess tournament

unique, is the ability for the 2000

amateur chess players to be in the

same space where the 28

professionals play.

“Why I want to play in the

Tata Steel Chess Tournament? Because

I love the city of Wijk aan Zee and the

way the tournament is organised.”

Magnus Carlsen – current world champion

and 5-time winner of TSCT.

Every year, the tournament

attracts over 200,000 unique

online visitors that watch the

live commentary and the video

reports.

Chess players worldwide

90% male 10% female

2.000.000 can play chess

200.000 play chess regularly

20.000 member of the chess federation

THE NETHERLANDS

73%College/University degree

70% of all adults in the

world have, at some point in their

lives, played chess

WORLDWIDE

6m in England

16m in Germany

50m in Russia80m in India

Play chess regularly

Chess players make 40% more

purchases in the categories of

travel, online shopping, luxury cars

and premium brand drinks

Chess facts & figures

Source: Agon report, (2013) & FIDE.com

Schakende beroemdheden

Nick Schilder Magnus Carlsen with Bill Gates Wimbledon winner Boris Becker Gari Kasparov and Edgar Davids

Viswanathan Anand, India

Five-time winner

Max Euwe, the Netherlands

Four-time winner

Levon Aronian, Armenia

Four-time winner

Magnus Carlsen, Norway

Six-time winner

Anish Giri, the Netherlands

Four-time Dutch ChampionLoek van Wely, the Netherlands

Grandmaster

Jan Timman, the Netherlands

Last Dutch winner (1985)

Wesley So, USA

Winner 2017

Hall of fame

Tata Steel is one of the biggest producers of steel in Europe. The company

supplies high-quality, sustainable products to demanding market sectors,

including the construction industry, automotive industry, packaging sector and

aerospace industry.

The Tata Steel Chess Tournament has a long and rich history. The

tournament started 81 years ago (1938) as an employee tournament for the

steel producer Hoogovens. Since then it has become one of the most

prestigious chess tournaments. The world’s greatest chess players, as well

as keen amateurs, make sure to be part of ‘the Wimbledon of Chess’.

Tata Steel chooses to support chess because chess is focused on strategic

thinking and finding creative solutions for complex problems. Tata Steel uses

the same tactics during the high-tech process of making steel and solving

complex challenges for our customers. Additionally, the tournament

contributes to the economic wellbeing of our surrounding community during

winter, which is one of the most challenging times of the year for a coastal

village like Wijk aan Zee.

At Tata Steel we believe that the combination of mind sports, physical sports

and creative thinking contributes to the development of the brain, especially

in children. That is why during the Tata Steel Chess Tournament we organise

various events for the youth, which aligns with Tata Steel’s community

program which focuses on ‘Future Generations’.

Tata Steel and chess

Wijk aan Zee is a small village that is part of the

municipality of Beverwijk. Approximately 2,400

people live in Wijk aan Zee. In the summer months,

the village draws many families looking to enjoy the

beautiful beach and practice many different sports

in and near the ocean.

In 1968 the Tata Steel Chess tournament was held

in Wijk aan Zee for the first time, after starting out

in 1938 in Beverwijk. With its long and rich history,

it is hard to imagine the Tata Steel Chess

Tournament not being part of the region’s culture.

In 2018 the 81st edition will take place in town hall

Moriaan, which will transform into a paradise for chess-enthusiasts.

The Main Event: Wijk aan Zee

Starting in 2014, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament organises two Chess on Tour days outside of Wijk aan Zee. During

these two days the Grandmasters visit beautiful locations elsewhere in the Netherlands. In 2018 they visited the Sound

and Vision building in Hilversum and the Academy Building at the University of Groningen.

In 2019 Chess on Tour will be visiting Alkmaar and Leiden.

Chess on Tour

Research demonstrates that the combination of

mind sports, physical sports, music and culture

actively contribute to the development of the brain,

especially within children.

That is why Tata Steel organises various events for

kids during the Tata Steel Chess Tournament. Erik

Scherder, professor Clinical Neuropsychology,

confirms that playing chess contributes to the

development of the learning capacity within

children. “Chess is very much a mind sport that

encourages problem-solving capabilities. Every

time you play chess there are new challenges. That

is exactly what your brain needs: thinking

thoroughly about the next steps you could take.

Playing chess is great practice for this skill.”

The importance of chess for kids

Sponsorship

Chess represents thinking ahead, strategic planning and staying ahead of your competitors. At the same time it is a sports activity in which age, origins and gender don’t matter.

Would you like to associate your company with the success of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament? We can create a sponsorship package for you. Depending on your wishes and objectives we can design a customised proposal: As Tournament Partner, Media Partner, Friend, Location Partner or any other type of sponsorship you would like.

Hospitality

During the various events of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, in Wijk aan Zee and in the Chess on Tour cities, there are many opportunities to invite your business partners and experience the event up close. If you are interested in a networking event (simultaneous chess with a Grandmaster, visiting the tournament, drinks and bites) or another type of arrangement, please get in touch with us and we would be happy to cater to your wishes.

Options for sponsorship and hospitality

Would you like more information? Please contact:

Elske Hoving

Community & Sponsorship Manager

Tata Steel

M: +31 (0)6 51 38 04 49

chess@tatasteeleurope.com

www.tatasteelchess.com

Contact us