Internet Chess Club hosts Anand Charity Simul

World #1 Vishwanathan Anand of India is once again utilizing the services of the Internet Chess Club (ICC – www.chessclub.com) to champion a cause that is close to his heart: Vidya Sagar (www.vidyasagar.co.in), a non-profit organization that strives for inclusion of children with autism and cerebral palsy.

In 2005, Anand held a successful simul on the ICC that raised much-needed funds for the Indian charity he’s become associated with. The funds raised in 2005 provided wheelchairs for 65 children apart from other orthotic aids that were urgently needed.  And again the world #1 is looking for the goodwill of chess players to play their part in a fun-filled challenging day in aid of the charity.

“Coming to Vidyasagar is a very special feeling” said Anand.  “It is a place where behind a child’s laughter there is a story.  Our responsibility is to make each of these stories have a happy ending.  Cerebral palsy by itself is a complex problem, and each child's condition is a unique challenge. I would like to thank the ICC for joining forces with us once again.  As a company, they have shown it is not just the bottom line but a child’s smile that could make all the difference." “For me, it is a personal dream to see these children smile brighter - and this is the best move we as a chess community can make together to help them.”

YOU can Play and YOU can Help The Cause!

The ICC is auctioning off on eBay 15 seats to play in the simultaneous exhibition on Saturday, April 21st, starting at 12:00pm ET (4pm GMT - 18:00 CET) with Grandmaster Anand. 

The winning bidders of this and the 14 other eBay auctions will each earn a seat to play Super Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand on ICC. The time control will be 90 minutes with a 5 second increment. Seats will only be available to players under the rating of 2200 and they will play with the black pieces.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play one of the world’s most famous grandmasters and, more importantly, to help children who are facing a much greater challenge. 

The first four to raise $350 or more will receive a 12-month subscription (or 12-month renewal) to the ICC plus a 12-month subscription (or renewal) to the world’s leading chess magazine, New In Chess, total value $147.95.  The first two to raise $500 or more will receive an 18-month subscription (or 18-month renewal) to the ICC plus a 12-month subscription (or renewal) for New In Chess Yearbook, a total value of $208.

Please note that ALL 100% of the proceeds raised will go directly to the charity. PLEASE play your part in helping the world #1, Vishwanathan Anand, raise funds through chess on the ICC for this worthy cause that is so very close to his heart.

For further information, contact:

John Henderson
ICC Director of Marketing
Tel: 847-347-9593
Email: jbhthescots@chessclub.com

IT’S A FREE DAY FOR ALL ON THE ICC!

On Saturday 21 April, come join the world’s premier online chess service at the ICC, as we once again help world #1, Vishy Anand, raise funds for his favorite charity, Vidya Sagar.

At 12:00pm Eastern Time (16:00 GMT – 18:00 CET), Anand will be playing a 90-minute simul against opponents who have all bid on eBay for seats to play. Not only can you watch all the action as it happens on the board, you can also watch our exclusive AnandCam that will show the world #1 playing the simul live from his home in Spain!

You can also tune-in to ICC Chess.FM, where our resident broadcasting team of Mig Greengard and Macauley Peterson will be on hand to cover all the action as it unfolds – plus at the end of the simul, there will be an exclusive 30-min live interview with Vishy Anand! For more details on the simul, click here.

Even if you have had a free 7-day ICC trial in the past, you can still join us for what promises to be a fun-filled challenging day for charity. So, book the date in your diary now – and don’t forget to tell all your friends about the ICC Free Day!

ICC Chess.FM replays

Chess.FM video Mig Greengard & Macauley Peterson.
Chess.FM audio Interview with Anand.
Free Chess.FM India audio A. Aaron & IM Saravanan.
Chess.FM Español gratis Entrevista a Anand por el IM Dovitiis. [ video 6:24 min]

More information

• Vidya Sagar
  What began, as a parent initiative in 1985 with 3 children is now a Government aided NGO that works relentlessly towards the   education, employment, inclusion and empowerment of more than 3000 children and adults with disabilities ranging from Cerebral Palsy and Learning Disabilities to Mental Retardation, Autism and Mental illness. Vidya Sagar looks at the whole spectrum that is, from neo-nates to adults and from mild disability to profound disability. Vidya Sagar also works towards their therapeutic needs in terms of physio, communication and occupational therapy. www.vidyasagar.co.in
• Internet Chess Club
  Founded in 1995 as one of the first premium gaming sites on the Internet, today ICC is firmly established as the premier online chess service, with more members, more Grandmasters, more volunteers, and more loyalty from its members than any other classical game service on the Internet.  More than 30,000 members from all over the world regularly enjoy playing casual or tournament chess games against each other; watching others play, including hundreds of titled chess masters; attending online lectures, classes, and special events; or simply socializing with fellow chess enthusiasts in a club house that’s always open.
• Find out the special appeal Anand has for Vidya Sagar.
• Auction in eBay of 15 seats to play in the simultaneous exhibition.
• Alternatively, play in the 3 0 tournament on Sunday, April 15, 5 pm server time to qualify for a seat in the simul.
• Watch our exclusive AnandCam that will show the world #1 playing the simul live from his home in Spain!
• You have more information about the ICC Live Coverage in the ICC Chess.FM section.

Event procedures

• Winning bidders will provide the ICC with the following contact information: real name, home address, phone number, rating (if any), email address. An ICC official will contact each winner after the auction ends.
• Payment must be received by 5 p.m. ET Friday before the simul. Payment must be verified prior to awarding the winner his seat.
• Seats will only be available to players rated under 2200.
• If a non-member wins the auction, a complimentary one-month account on the ICC will be created for him or her.
• Games start at 12:00pm ET (4pm GMT - 18:00 CET), Saturday, April 21st. We ask the participants to please arrive 30 minutes early due to the overwhelming popularity of this event, in which case the games themselves may start earlier, but if you cannot we will still accommodate you.
• Participants play with the black pieces. The time control will be 90 minutes with a 5 second increment.
• No computer assistance, or other assistance of any kind, is allowed.
• If someone disconnects through no fault of their own, the ICC will attempt to re-insert them into the game.