(ANSA) - DUBAI, 21 NOV - From 24 November to 16 December chess will be the protagonists at Expo 2020 Dubai, which this year will host the World Chess Championship. As a note from Expo reports, visitors to the universal exhibition will be able to witness the clash between the reigning champion, the Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, and the Russian champion Ian Nepomniachtchi.
Carlsen, who will turn 31 during the championship, has held the title of World Chess Champion since 2013 and is regarded as one of the greatest chess talents of all time. He became a great master at the age of 13 and has been the number one player in the world continuously since 2011.
Two-time Russian champion Nepomniachtchi is also 31 years old, and has earned the right to compete for the title after winning the 2020-2021 Candidate Tournament.
The World Championship will be played over 14 classic games for a prize pool of € 2 million, with 60% going to the winner and 40% to the runner-up.
It was originally scheduled to start on December 20 last year, but has been postponed due to the pandemic.
The matches will be played at the Dubai Exhibition Center, while a number of side events will also be held, including performances and appearances by former champions.
Expo 2020 will also host the world school chess tournament from 25 to 29 November, with 108 young chess players from 10 countries, grouped into 12 teams.
The participants are the finalists of the event which involved 2,600 competitors from more than 54 countries.
Among the 108 players are two of the world's most promising chess prodigies: 16-year-old Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and 15-year-old Dommaraju Gukesh, both Indian.
(HANDLE).