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SOURCE: Pegasystems

Pegasystems

May 11, 2010 08:00 ET

KARPOV2010 Campaign for Presidency of the World Chess Federation Kicks Off May 17 at the Trump Soho in New York City

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - May 11, 2010) -  MEDIA ALERT - this event is open to the media but you must register with us in advance.

WHAT:
On May 17, 2010, KARPOV2010 will launch its campaign to elect the twelfth world chess champion, Anatoly Karpov, as President of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) with a fundraiser at the Trump Soho in New York City. Mr. Karpov is running with Richard A. Conn Jr. as his Deputy President, and if they win, it will be the first time an American will hold such a high position in FIDE.

  • Former World Champion Garry Kasparov will appear as special guest in support of the campaign. Mr. Kasparov has not only been noted as one of the greatest minds in history by Newsweek (the other one being Einstein) and as the man who took on the chess computers, but he's also a major political leader and a monthly columnist for the Wall Street Journal.

  • Norway's young sensation Magnus Carlsen, the current World Number One, will also be in attendance.

  • The potential change in FIDE leadership is making waves in the chess world. Mr. Karpov is running against Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the current FIDE president who has been in office for the past fifteen years. Mr. Karpov is campaigning under a program of unity and positive change, with a focus on expanding the reach of chess in classrooms. His superior talents as a chess champion and unique experience as UNICEF Ambassador make him the ideal leader to return the sport to prominence on the global stage.

  • At the campaign kick-off party, the Karpov campaign will auction off a host of unique prizes, including the chance to play a consultation game or speed match with World Champions Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen; two business class tickets to Moscow to have dinner with Mr. Karpov; or the opportunity to join Mr. Kasparov on campaign stops in the Caribbean.

  • The event is open to anyone who loves chess, and it offers a unique experience to meet the superstars of the chess world. There will also be an open bar, delicious food, and of course, chess!

The KARPOV2010 kickoff event is sponsored by Pegasystems, the leader in Business Process Management (BPM) software solutions.

WHEN:

  • Monday, May 17, 2010, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET
    • VIP Champagne Cocktails from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. ET
    • Speeches by Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov followed by auction at 7:00 p.m. ET
    • Consultation match between Carlsen and Kasparov at 8:00 p.m. ET
    • Speed games against World Number One Magnus Carlsen at 8:30 p.m. ET

WHERE:

  • Trump Soho, 246 Spring Street, New York City

For more details visit: http://karpov2010.eventbrite.com/. There will be limited spots available for the press. If interested in covering the event, please email rconn@karpov2010.org.

The Candidates:
Anatoly Karpov is a chess World Champion and former World Champion. He was official world champion from 1975 to 1985, played three more matches for the title from 1986 to 1990, then was FIDE World Champion from 1993 to 1999. For his decades-long standing among the world's elite, he is considered one of the greatest players of all time. His tournament successes include over 160 first-place finishes.

Richard A. Conn Jr. is an international lawyer, formerly an equity partner at Latham & Watkins, who now serves as Strategic Advisor to DLA Piper, the world's leading international law firm. As Managing Director of Conn International Group LLC, a financial and legal advisory firm, Mr. Conn is also active in private equity.

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