The Edmonton Chess Festival, which includes the International Master and Sectional tournaments, will get under way on Wednesday, July 30, with a lecture and a simultaneous exhibition given by two of the Grandmasters participating in the Tournament.

At 6:00 p.m., GM Jesse Kraai, from New Mexico, will be giving the lecture, at the Chess Club. The lecture is free to all.

Immediately following the lecture, at about 7:00 p.m., Canadian GM Mark Bluvstein (rating 2548) will give the simul, which is open to the first 25 entrants.

For people who are playing in the Sectional, the fee for the simul is $5. For those who are not in the Sectional, the fee is $10 for Adults and $5 for Juniors.

And, the first player to defeat GM Bluvstein will receive a $50 gift certificate from Edmonton ChessMart (located at 12015 - 76 St). If no one beats the GM, the first player to draw will receive a $30 gift certificate. If no one achieves either a win or draw, then the “last man standing” will get 2 items from the Club concession.

Because the simul is limited to 25 players, we are taking early registration. You can register in person at the Club this Monday night, when we are open after 6:30 p.m., leave a message on the Club answering machine (780) 424-0283.