(Sofia, May 21, 2006) The negotiations for founding a Grand Slam in classic chess started successfully. The first meeting about the establishment of the chain was held in Grand Hotel Sofia on May 21.

At the meeting were the director of M-Tel Masters Silvio Danailov, the member of the Organizing Committee of the competition Martin Batkov, the Mayor of Linares Juan Fernandez and the director of the tournament in Linares Pedro Almansa, Jeroen van den Berg– director of the tournament in Wijk aan Zee, and the director of the tournament in Morelia – Hiquingari Carranza.

All sides supported the idea for a chain of chess tournaments resembling the Grand Slam in tennis. What is forthcoming is the preparation of the base documents for the founding and the decision on the future regulations.

„The details will be clarified at a next meeting in July in Madrid or Amsterdam. The founding of the Grand Slam will most probably be officially announced in October in Mexico”, Silvio Danailov, director of M-Tel Masters announced.