SpareBank 1 SMN steps up for the region once again
Lewis Chess Legends Supported by SpareBank 1 SMN in the Fight for Equality and Regional Chess Talent Development
We at Lewis Chess Legends are thrilled to announce that SpareBank 1 SMN has generously contributed 250,000 NOK to the upcoming chess tournament to be held for the first time in 2024 at the esteemed Archbishop’s Palace. This partnership underscores the bank's commitment to promoting local communities and equal opportunities, values that resonate strongly with our goal of enhancing gender equality within the sport of chess.
Equal opportunities
The tournament, Lewis Chess Legends, is not just a celebration of chess as an intellectual and cultural activity but also a platform to promote equal opportunities between genders in chess. By offering an equal prize structure for women and men, we are taking a crucial step towards levelling the playing field and opening the game to more high-level female competitors. This initiative aims to attract the best female chess players from around the world while also encouraging increased recruitment of women into the sport.
Jeanette Buseth Molnes
"SpareBank 1 SMN has always been a supporter of culture and youth, and our involvement in Lewis Chess Legends is a natural extension of our efforts to support sustainable and inclusive initiatives in the region," says Jeanette Buseth Molnes from SpareBank 1 SMN. "We are proud to be part of such an innovative and forward-looking event."
An opportunity for the regional talents
SpareBank 1 SMN’s contribution to Lewis Chess Legends is also a strategic measure to strengthen regional talent development in Central Norway. With such significant financial support, it becomes possible to bring international opposition to the region, which is critical for the development of local talents. The opportunity for our regional players to compete against top-ranked international opponents is invaluable and will help more young chess players advance towards IM and GM titles.
Grateful
Tournament director Torbjørn Dahl expresses deep gratitude: "With support from SpareBank 1 SMN, we can not only promote chess as a sport but also use this as a platform for social change. This partnership is crucial for our goals of equality and the development of regional talents. Without their support this tournament would not be happening. We look forward to creating a tournament that will be remembered for its impact both on and off the chessboard."
