Back To Simpson's

Top-class chess is set to make a dramatic return to Simpson's-in-the-Strand, with the first leg of the FIDE Grand Prix.

From 20 September - 3 October, some of the world's finest players - including Nakamura, Grischuk, Svidler, Topalov and Ivanchuk - will be in action in what promises to be an exciting tournament. The Grand Prix is part of the World Chess Championship cycle so the Grandmasters will have plenty of motivation to produce fighting chess.

Simpson's-in-the-Strand

Andrew Paulson, the Chief Executive and Founder of Agon (the company with the commercial rights for the FIDE World Championship), said: "I am delighted to confirm that Simpson's-in-the-Strand will be the venue for the September Grand Prix. As possibly the best-known chess venue in the world, it is the perfect place to kick off the new Championship cycle. However, the requirement to transfer the event to London from Chelyabinsk at this relatively late stage means that it will be a smaller, invite-only event.''

Unfortunately, that means there will be no room for Joe Public spectators on this occasion, but obviously there will be an opportunity to follow the games online.

Further details about the Grand Prix participants can be found here.

With the fourth London Chess Classic scheduled for December and the Candidates event on the way in March 2013, London will be the centre of the chess world for a period of seven months.