Vivendi and Garry Kasparov team up to launch online platform
Interactive Chess Community and Content Platform KASPAROVCHESS.COM Features Online Chess Lessons, Matches, Documentaries, and an Upcoming Exclusive Masterclass with Garry Kasparov. PARIS – (April 15, 2021) – Former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov and global media company Vivendi announced today the launch of Kasparovchess.com. The site is a new multimedia content platform for chess lovers of all skill levels launched by Vivendi, through its subsidiary Keysquare. Built to offer features for all players, whether they are enthusiasts or beginners, including thousands of chess puzzles, online matches, in-depth tutorials, articles, documentaries, and even an exclusive masterclass with Kasparov himself. The platform was built as a way for chess lovers and beginners to get immersed in the world of chess and create their own chess legacy by experiencing chess life through the lens of one of the greatest players of all time. It provides the building blocks for casual players to become more confident while also providing top tier content for the most dedicated pros looking to perfect their game. “Chess is entering a renaissance in pop culture and is becoming a fabric of the mainstream,” said Louis Germain, CEO Keysquare. “Our goal is to present Garry Kasparov’s legacy in a way that can inspire others and equip them with the tools they need to build their own legacy.” Kasparovchess offers a wealth of free content and a subscription-based platform that provides a wide breadth of content to the community of chess beginners and pros for a modest monthly fee. Subscription features include articles, documentaries, online matches against masters, lessons, puzzles, and an in-depth post-game analysis tool. There are also many free features, including an exclusive podcast series by Garry Kasparov that includes a deep dive on The Queen’s Gambit, for which Kasparov consulted, and many anecdotes from Kasparov’s own career highlights. Premium features such as the soon-to-be-released Kasparov masterclass will also be available for purchase as stand-alone content. “We are showing the world that there is so much more to chess than strategy and tactics,” said Garry Kasparov. “It is a way of life and a way of looking at the world. I hope to bring all people into this experience, even if they’ve never played before because chess can help them become everything that they want to be.” The platform is now open for early subscribers at Kasparovchess.com and will launch for the rest of the public at the end of April, 2021. About Kasparovchess is a world-class chess community and platform for beginners, enthusiasts and experts alike that offers exclusive access to chess lessons, matches, articles, in-depth videos and documentaries as well as an invaluable masterclass with the 13th World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov. The platform is designed to make chess accessible and life-changing in a way that only Garry Kasparov can—by giving audiences unparalleled access to the world of chess. Go to Kasparovchess.com to participate. Contact(s): Mark HavennerThe Pollack Group310-556-4443mark@pollackgroup.com
Chess in prisons: The Cook County case
Photo: Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune This article was originally published on the FIDE Newsletter #29 (April 12, 2021). If you want to receive this biweekly publication directly in your inbox, please subscribe here. In the coming weeks, we will share here some case studies from different parts of the world, like Anatoly Karpov’s continued support of chess in prison initiatives (for more than two decades already!), or Carl Portman’s phenomenal book “Chess Behind Bars”. For now, we will start with the case of Cook County, in Chicago. Mikhail Korenman needs no introduction for our readers in the US, where he is one of the most respected chess personalities. Originally from Voronezh, in Russia, where he graduated a Master of Science, he went to the states as a student – this time getting a degree in Philosophy. After settling in his country of adoption, he soon got engaged in chess activities, founding the Karpov School of Chess in Lindsborg, Kansas, and initiating the internationally acclaimed “Chess for Peace” program, supported by former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, and chess stars like Karpov, Onischuk, Polgar, Krush and Zatonskih. Nine years ago, in 2012, he was approached by Sheriff Thomas Dart, whose kids were taking chess classes from him. “Sheriff Dart had a clear vision”, recalls Korenman, and the two agreed to start a ’chess in jail’ program together. “We see it day-in and day-out that people want instant gratification and that often individuals do not think before they act,” explained Dart when the program was first launched. “Thoughtless actions will hurt you while playing chess and hurt you more on the street.” One year later, about 600 inmates had already taken part in the jail’s chess program. “The participants are excited and this is the most rewarding program we’ve ever had,” Dart said. “This is something positive for the detainees to do and studies show it has a positive impact on people’s lives”. “The inmates seem to enjoy that ‘we are here to learn’, and always compare chess to the game of life,” Korenman says. “You explain that you have to castle to be safe, and you can see that the idea of taking measures to protect yourself and not get in trouble really gets into them”. Mikhail was already a seasoned teacher when he started the program, but he was caught by surprise by some characteristics of his new pupils. For instance, he soon realized that they would hardly agree to a draw. While they don’t care that much about losing, “for them winning is a really big deal,” he explains. “Winning by themselves, following the rules – many of them haven’t had chances to experience this before.” Either they didn’t enjoy many opportunities, or they used to cut corners; so a fair victory is something that makes them feel really good, and gives a big boost to their confidence and self-esteem. Mikhail speaks fondly about his work in the Cook County jail in general, but there is one particular activity that seems to bring him joy – and very understandably so. Once per month, they arrange that some of the inmates can play chess online with their kids. “It is not allowed for everyone. It requires clearance. We gather the children in one location and, using Skype and Chess.com, they can play with their parents in jail”. FIDE first signed a cooperation agreement with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in March 2020. However, the Covid-19 outbreak had a severe impact on prisons and their normal functioning, so many of the planned projects for last year had to wait until better times. We are very happy that we are finally able to continue where we left off and partner with Sheriff Dart and Mikhail Korenman on this project.