Register for 2008 Chess Olympiad

2008 Chess Olympiad

Registration forms are available for the 2008 Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany. The event will take place November 12th-25th. Last year’s Olympiad in Turin, Italy featured a number of problems including lack of amenities and the distance between the playing venue and living quarters.

I also remember that some of the guest hotels were far away from the Olympiad Village. After a couple of days of paying $12 taxi fare to the venue (each way), I was fortunate enough to find accommodations in the village. Village life is interesting and it is where life-long friendships are made. It is interesting to see top Grandmasters milling about with lesser players without pretension and arrogance. There are a number of impromptu activities and of course lots of blitz! Following is a statement from the organizing committee:

The biennial Chess Olympiad is one of the biggest sporting events – anywhere in the world! The value-added it generates tops € 10 million. For two weeks about 1,500 top players from 150 countries will be playing chess at the highest level in Dresden! Vladimir Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand, Zsuzsa Polgar and about 300 other international Grand Masters are expected – plus 15,000 visitors, 150 arbiters, 400 journalists and 450 organizers – plus 300 delegates to the Congress of the World Chess Federation FIDE, which will be held at the same time.

Main Site: dresden2008.de/

8 Comments

  1. I am a student at Moi University Chepkoilel Campus and am sure that so far am the second best in the school. I would really love to join the team going for the Olympics

  2. FIDE submitts regulation changes for Chess Olympiad:
    Ignatius Leong compliments City of Dresden for her preparations

    Ignatius Leong, Chief Arbiter of the Chess Olympiad and General Secretary of the world chess association FIDE, surprised journalists at a press conference Tuesday, 03 June 2008.”We will have considerable renewals regarding the regulations in the 2008 Olympiad in Dresden,” the man from Singapore declares. For the first time, federations have to nominate their candidates until the fixed date of 12 September 2008.

    So far, changes in team compositions had been possible until a few hours prior to the beginning of the tournament. Moreover, FIDE also brings up the vexatious topic of early draws. Once before, there existed the rule that no draw is allowed before a certain number of moves had been made. This paragraph was violated by former world champion Bobby Fischer – without penalty. Now, the new rule states that no draws will be allowed before the 30th move. But the most important change is, however, that all players have to be at their table exactly at the beginning of play to shake hands, just like in any other sports, or else they will lose the match. Chess players have yet allowed themselves the luxury of being late up to one hour.

    Even before these changes Dresden took on the title of being a ‘Reform Olympiad’. For instance, the number of rounds to be played was reduced from 14 to 11, match points are privileged over game points for team valuation, women teams were extended to 4 players and the number of reserve players diminished to one.

    Leong gave mark ‘excellent’ to the organizers for their perfect preparations. Dresden is far ahead of time with the planning of the event and proves ideal playing conditions. ‘Further steps promise fantastic conditions for the chess autumn in Dresden,’ also states the experienced tournament organizer.

  3. Chessdom is keeping track of team registered for the 2008 Olympiad in Dresden, Germany. They are also soliciting team rosters. From Africa, only Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia are listed.

    https://tournaments.chessdom.com/chess-olympiad-2008-teams

    I read an article about the Indian team that is training hard with GM Lev Psakhis of Israel. Their team consists of Krishnan Sasikiran (captain), P. Harikrishna, Surya Sekhar Ganguly, Sandipan Chanda and G.N. Gopal. This team may do surprisingly well. I have interviewed three of the five players and while all have expressed a positive influence of Viswanathan Anand, perhaps they will feel a bit more relaxed without him playing.

    https://www.hindu.com/2008/09/12/stories/2008091256871800.htm

  4. 10/30/08

    Greeting Daaim Shabazz,
    Thank you for the blogs.
    I am a Houston Texas chess player and I would like to play in the Invitation Senior’s Tournament. I called the hotel tourism number (Dresden-Werbung und Tourismus Gmb H, Ostra-Allee 11, D-01067 Dresden, Tel. 0049 351 49 19 21 00. The international Phone Operator told me to put 011 before the 49 and dial the rest of the numbers.) and got a book publishing company. I am attempting to find someone to help me make the arrangement for a package deal on the travel and hotel accommodations. I have a quote from Lufthansa for $1,900 for two round trip tickets to Dresden. I am seeking to find how much a two bed room hotel will cost.
    Nan direction you can give me will be appreciated.
    Quayle Johnson

  5. Mr. Johnson,

    It’s a bit late, but you may be able to find accommodation. I went through my airline and found a package deal. I asked the guys at ChessBase and they told me that the Ibis Hotels may have rooms, but that was a month ago. You can always open the bulletin above and check the layout of the Olympiad venue and then choose which one has vacancies.

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