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Press Release for the Simul Chess World Record
Chess World Record Challenge 2004
Press information - for immediate release
NEW WORLD RECORD ACHIEVED BY UK CHESS MASTER
A new World Record was achieved this Saturday (21st February) at Wellington College Crowthorne, by International Chess Master, Andrew Martin, when he played 321 chess players all at the same time. The previous world record for the highest number of simultaneous chess games was 310, achieved 8 years ago in Sweden. To qualify for the world record Andrew had to beat at least 80% of his opponents. On the day he won 294 games, drew 26 and only lost one. The record is now being formally submitted for entry into the Guinness Book of World Records.
The attempt proved to be both mentally and physically demanding for the Chess Master as it ran for almost 17 hours of continuous play (09.30 Saturday - 02.18 Sunday). During this time Andrew walked over 5 miles and played over 7,000 moves in total. The only game he lost was to Talal Shakerchi of Ashstead Surrey, an executive with one of the event's sponsors, Meditor Capital Management Ltd. Jayden Gough of Finchampstead, just 6 years old, was one of the youngest players and stayed the course until one o'clock in the morning. The final opponent to be beaten was Crowthorne Chess Club veteran, pensioner Gordon Ironside. The event also attracted players from abroad, including Charlotte Richardson, who had flown in from Minnesota USA especially for the event.
Commenting on the day, Andrew Martin said, "I had to concentrate so hard that I lost all sense of time. It was almost like losing a day out of my life! But it was worth it- the sense of fulfillment and achievement is great. Every single opponent seemed to be playing at their very best."
Challengers were asked to raise sponsorship money as their entry into the world record attempt and all received a tee-shirt and certificate to commemorate the part they played in setting the new world record. In addition, schools that entered 10 or more players received £150 towards school books . Early indications are that over £6,000 will have been raised for local charities and youth activities.
The event would not have been possible without the generous support of Fujtsu, Baxter Newman, British Chess Federation, Meditor Capital Management, Wellington College, Virgin Retail, UCI Cinemas, Chess and Bridge Ltd, Eversley Cricket Club and Camberley Chess Club.
For more details see www.chessworldrecord.co.uk
Andrew Martin is Chief Coach for the English National Junior Squad. He has held numerous top placings in the British Championship and has notched up wins against world renowned chess players including Boris Spassky and Michael Adams. Andrew lives in Sandhurst, Berkshire and teaches chess at numerous schools in the area. He is a member of both Eversley Cricket Club and Camberley Chess Club, organizers of the world record attempt.
The Beneficiaries:
- British Chess Federation Youth Trust helps and supports children to play chess.
- Eversley Cricket Club - colts section
- CHASE Children's Hospice Service supports life- limited children and their families in Surrey, South West London and parts of Sussex.
- Chatterbox supports I CAN, the charity that helps children with speech problems.
- CLIC offers support to families caring for children with cancer and leukaemia.
- Cystic FibrosisTrust works to improve the lives of CFsufferers.
- Daisy's Dream helps and supports bereaved children in Berkshire.
- DebRA is dedicated to finding a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), an incurable skin condition.
- Make- a Wish (Camberley) grants the wishes of children age 3-18 living with life- threatening illnesses.
- Camberley Chess Club junior section.