Erling Haaland Announces Surprise Investment in New Global Chess Tour
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has revealed his investment in a new global chess tour, with the aim of making the strategic game more popular on a worldwide scale. The prolific forward, aged 25, is backing Norway Chess, the organisation responsible for the upcoming Total Chess World Championship Tour, which is scheduled to launch next year.
Haaland's Enthusiasm for Chess and Strategic Similarities to Football
Haaland expressed his passion for chess, stating: "Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead. Strategy and planning are everything." He added: "I’m investing in Norway Chess because I believe the new Total Chess World Championship Tour can turn chess into an even bigger sport for spectators around the world. The team behind Norway Chess has already done an impressive job growing the event, and joining the project was too exciting to pass up."
Growing Trend of Footballers with Chess Interests
Haaland joins a rising number of top footballers who have shown an interest in chess, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Arsenal star Eberechi Eze. Notably, his compatriot Magnus Carlsen is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time, adding a personal connection to the investment.
Details of the Total Chess World Championship Tour
The new tour will feature four annual tournaments hosted in various cities, culminating in a world champion being crowned across three disciplines: fast classic, rapid, and blitz chess. The initiative has secured the backing of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), with FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich commenting: "Chess – like football – has always been a global language of strategy and creativity. Seeing a world-class athlete like Erling Haaland join the Total World Chess Championship Tour is a powerful signal of the global attention and cultural relevance that chess enjoys today."
Financial Aspects and Upcoming Events
A pilot tournament is scheduled for this autumn, with each season boasting a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million, approximately equivalent to £2 million. This significant investment underscores the tour's ambition to elevate chess as a spectator sport and attract global audiences through high-stakes competitions.
