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06 November 2024

World Chess Plc

("World Chess" or the "Company" or the "Group")

World Chess announces interactive chess event at Web Summit

World Chess to partner with it.com Domains at Web Summit to host 'Hans Niemann vs. You."

World Chess (LSE: CHSS), a leading chess organisation committed to enhancing the global mass market appeal of chess by introducing a variety of innovative chess-related activities, is excited to announce, alongside its long-term partner, it.com Domains, it is hosting "Hans Niemann vs. You" at Web Summit 2024.

Held in Lisbon on November 13, 2024, during the annual technology conference, Web Summit, this interactive showdown will allow global participants to virtually challenge Grandmaster, Hans Niemann, who is widely known as the "bad boy of chess". This real-time match will be live-streamed from the Web Summitt conference stage, exposing leading figures in the tech industry to chess.

This match will encourage the global chess community, alongside tech enthusiasts at Web Summit, to team up and participate as the "World Team", together deciding each move against chess' bad boy, Niemann's unconventional playing style. With voting displayed in real-time and the strategy behind each move being revealed, this interactive challenge promises to deliver intensity and intrigue.

The partnership between World Chess and it.com Domains at the Web Summit conference, emphasises the Company's longstanding commitment to broadening chess' reach through digital innovation. The event will be live-streamed on World Chess' YouTube channel as well as on chess.it.com, allowing participants from all around the world to join the "World Team" and challenge Niemann's every move.

Ilya Merenzon, Chief Executive Officer of World Chess, commented:

"We are pleased to bring this sport to Web Summit, where leaders of the tech community can engage with chess, not only to enjoy it but also contribute to its evolution.

"Partnering with it.com Domains and Web Sumit gives us the chance to showcase the excitement of chess to a global tech audience."

For more information about the World Chess Tour, visit https://worldchess.com. 

For more information, please visit https://worldchess.com/investors or contact:

Notes to Editors

About World Chess Plc

World Chess (LSE: CHSS) is a London-based chess gaming and entertainment company and Fédération Internationale des Échecs ('FIDE') official commercial partner. World Chess organised the FIDE Championship Matches in the USA, and the UK, and revolutionised the sport by signing the biggest media partnerships in history. World Chess develops Armageddon, the chess league for prime-time television. World Chess also runs FIDE Online Arena, the exclusive official chess gaming platform. More at worldchess.com.