Manchester to host world chess final
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MANCHESTER'S bid to host the next Olympic Games received a significant boost yesterday when it was announced that the city would be the venue for the world chess championship between the British challenger, Nigel Short, and Garry Kasparov.
The city council, which is to hold the event with sponsors Manchester Airport, beat off a late and higher bid from a consortium including Channel 4.
The announcement of the city that will host the Olympic Games in 2000 will be made on 23 September, as Short, 27, who was born in Leigh and educated in Bolton, Greater Manchester, and the Russian champion Kasparov, 29, compete for the world title.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) made its decision yesterday after sealed bids to hold the 1993 championships were opened at the organisation's headquarters in Lucerne, Switzerland, on Monday evening.
Manchester's bid was about pounds 300,000 lower than a last-minute offer from Channel 4 Television and IMG, the sports promotion group.
But FIDE explained the decision had been reached after consultation with Kasparov, Short and board members once the amount of prize money, bank guarantees and proposed match conditions were taken into account. While the Channel 4 bid offered more prize money, it was not supported by an independent bank guarantee which was one of the clinching factors that led to the championship being awarded to Manchester.
The ITV company's offer also failed because of demands for exclusive world television rights and daily interviews with players, the right to stage the championship anywhere in the UK starting as late as September, and the ability to determine days and times of play.
Channel 4's conditions for holding the event would have contravened many of the federation's strict regulations governing the championships, which stipulate that the venue, times and schedules of play must be fixed, and television rights be shared between FIDE and the players.
However, a spokesman for the television company said yesterday that it would probably enter negotiations with the city in an attempt to show the championships on terrestrial television. Two other television companies have also expressed interest.
The venue for the 24-game championship is almost certain to be the 740-seat Royal Exchange Theatre.
Yesterday Graham Stringer, the city council leader, said: 'This is tremendously important for the city. The timing could not be better in the run-up to the competition for the Olympic Games.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments