Kramnik to play Alcántara in rematch on Chessarena.com

Source: World Chess. Kramnik (left) will replay José Alcántara (Jospem, right) in August 2024.

World Chess, a chess organisation committed to enhancing the global mass market appeal of chess, will host Clash of Claims 2, a chess rematch after the first Clash of Claims between Vladimir Kramnik and José Alcántara ended in controversy. The event will feature live commentary from prominent figures in the chess community and interactive segments for viewers.

Kramnik, the 14th World Chess champion, has been actively sharing evidence of what he believes indicates cheating in online chess tournaments. With the ease of access to software that could help players cheat, the results of some online tournaments have led to accusations of deception.

Following Kramnik’s claims, a hybrid approach was suggested in June this year with Kramnik playing against Grandmaster José Alcántara, a well-known online chess player, in a three-day chess event. This first Clash of Claims event was held in Madrid and was a hybrid mix of in-person board games and online matches via the Chess.com platform.

Due to technical issues with Chess.com, World Chess has invited the players to return for Clash of Claims 2 in London from 19 - 21 August 2024, hosted on its Chessarena.com platform. This rematch will have stringent physical and online anti-cheating methods in place to address previous alleged shortcomings. Chessarena.com is the only online platform that has an anti-cheating engine approved by FIDE, the international governing body of chess.

Chessarena.com plans to leverage this event to highlight new platform features, including the introduction of in-game emoticons, and to run a Clash of Claims 2 promotion for new subscribers.

Ilya Merenzon, CEO of World Chess said: “We are so excited to welcome these two renowned players, once again, to the stage to battle it out in London.

“World Chess and the FIDE Arena are looking forward to resolving once and for all the fair play allegations raised by Kramnik, and to enhance the reputability of online chess tournaments.

“We are confident Chessarena.com will provide advanced anti-cheating measures and a superior platform from which the games will be hosted.

“Online chess is going through a major transformation right now. We are possibly witnessing the ultimate way to address all anti-cheating allegations — by taking an online dispute to the physical board, marking a truly hybrid approach.”

Electrifying pre-game action at Shangri-La hotels during the Hong Kong Sevens

The Shangri-La Group, Hong Kong is inviting rugby fans to elevate their Hong Kong Sevens experience with a stay and experience package at the Island Shangri-La, Kowloon Shangri-La or Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong. Exclusive day passes are included.

Source: Shangri-La Group Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.

The promotions offer a pre-game stay and a buffet breakfast, and include day passes. An extra breakfast and day pass can be obtained for a bundled price.

Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong

Island Shangri-La offers a luxurious contemporary accommodation option. Fans can opt for one-day or two-day pass packages.

Electrifying Hong Kong Sevens Weekend (https://bit.ly/48L7g9k)

Prices from HK$6,200 per night, including:

• One-night luxury stay
• Daily breakfast for 1 adult
• A one-day pass to the Hong Kong Sevens (for entry on April 7)

Hong Kong Sevens Weekend Escape (https://bit.ly/49DsZ)

Prices from HK$6,600 per night. The package includes:

• Two-night luxury stay
• Daily breakfast for 1 adult
• A two-day pass to the Hong Kong Sevens (for entry on 6 and 7 April)

Promotion Period: 5 to 7 April, 2024

Level 7, Island Shangri-La, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central  

Reservations and enquiries: reservations.isl@shangri-la.com | +852 3069 9788

Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong

The Kowloon Shangri-La is moments away from the Hong Kong Sevens venue. Guests can enjoy both the rugby action and a comfortable stay.

Electrifying Hong Kong Sevens Weekend (https://bit.ly/3wz5T06)

Prices starting from HK$3,200 per night, including:

• One-night luxury stay
• Daily breakfast for 1 adult
• A one-day pass to the Hong Kong Sevens (for entry on 6 or 7 April)

Promotion Period: 5 to 7 April, 2024

64 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon

Reservations & enquiries: reservations.ksl@shangri-la.com | +852 3069 9788

Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong

A modern getaway from the hassle and bustle in an urban setting.

Electrifying Hong Kong Sevens Weekend (https://bit.ly/3lRtKD7) 

Prices starting from HK$3,300 per night, including:

• One-night luxury stay
• Daily breakfast for 1 adult
• A one-day pass to the Hong Kong Sevens (for entry on 6 or 7 April)

Promotion Period: 5 to 7 April, 2024

Level 3, Kerry Hotel, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom Bay, Kowloon

Contact reservations.khhk@thekerryhotels.com | +852 3069 9788 to book.

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong launches Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens promo

Source: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. Poster for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2023.

In conjunction with the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, back from 31 March to 2 April, 2023, official supplier and package provider Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is offering special combos for a full-on Sevens experience.

Exclusive accommodation and Sevens ticket combos are available from HK$3,900. There are one- and three-night stay options, with the choice of a pair of Friday, weekend or three-day entrance tickets to suit fans. The Hong Kong Stadium is just 10 minutes away by taxi. 

Hyatt guests can also enjoy a 50 m outdoor pool overlooking the harbour, a spa, fitness centre, and 11 restaurants and bars. 

Terms and conditions

1. The offer is valid for stay on 31 March 2023 and is subject to availability.

2. The offer is only available on Grand Hyatt Hong Kong's official e-shop.

3. Hotel accommodation is guaranteed once the order is confirmed. Guests will receive an email confirmation with a stay e-voucher within 24 hours. Entrance tickets to the Hong Kong Sevens will be delivered electronically one week prior to the event.

4. 10% service charge has been included.

5. The offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions, vouchers or discounts.

6. Please present the confirmation email with e-voucher upon check in.

7. Full prepayment is required at the time of booking; the booking is non-refundable; cannot be redeemed for cash or exchanged for any other product or service, and no changes are allowed once confirmed.

8. This offer is eligible for earning World of Hyatt points; please provide your World of Hyatt membership number upon check-in.

9. Hyatt reserves the right to alter or withdraw this offer at any time without notice.

Singtel shares National Day video, supports SEA Games 2017 athletes

Singtel has released its first major National Day video to commemorate Singapore’s independence day. The release comes a day after 9 August as the company hopes to inspire Singaporeans to press on and keep up the Majulah* spirit beyond the festivities of National Day.

“It may seem counter-intuitive and even a little belated but it’s not,” says Lian Pek, VP for Group Strategic Communications and Brand, at Singtel. “We hope the adrenaline rush that we all got from yesterday’s celebrations will have as long a tail as possible. To quote a line in the film, ‘the day after is the first day forward.’ Hopefully, this little film will help keep the momentum of National Day going, prolong that sense of national pride and wanting to do more for ourselves and our country beyond the birthday party.”

Featuring Singaporeans from different walks of life, the two-minute film pays tribute to the resilience and can-do spirit of Singaporeans which has helped propel the country from the proverbial mudflat to metropolis. It comes as the nation contemplates its future with deep conversations about how best to navigate, going forward.

Produced in-house by Singtel and narrated by veteran actor Lim Kay Tong, the original spoken word piece will be screened across Singtel TV channels and on social media. It is part of a month-long campaign that includes a photo series featuring a spectrum of Singaporeans articulating their aspirations for the nation. Captured by photographer Aik Beng Chia, these can be found at bus stops across the country as well as on social media.

The second part of Singtel’s month-long campaign will start in about a week’s time as Singapore’s athletes head to this year’s SEA Games which begin in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 19 August. The Power On campaign is designed as a morale booster for the nation’s athletes as they head overseas to compete for Singapore, and also hopes to inspire Singaporeans to do their country proud.

"When we caught up with our SEA Games athletes, not a day goes by it seems, without them thinking about winning for Singapore. That’s what keeps them motivated despite the gruelling hours of training. We will be sharing their heartfelt thoughts on representing Singapore as ultimately, Team Singapore includes all of us,” adds Pek.

The six partner athletes featured in the video and photo campaign are: Joseph Schooling (swimming), Loh Zhi Zhi (water polo), Mark Leong (water ski), Nur Alfian (silat), Shanti Pereira (track and field) and Shayna Ng (bowling).



Interested? 

View the video (2 minutes)

*'Majulah' means 'onward' in Malay.

More details on Uber's Manchester United promotion

In January, Uber announced a global partnership with Manchester United, and Uber Malaysia now has more details. Riders in over 200 cities can unlock exclusive video content, and will have the opportunity to travel to Old Trafford for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the company said.

In exclusive videos in-app, star players including Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan talk about which teammate they would most want to share an Uber with, and how they would rate them by the Uber “5 Star” standard if their teammates were a Uber driver.

In addition to in-app content, throughout the rest of the season, fans will also get the chance to win a number of in-person experiences. Uber and Manchester United are offering Pitch Day – a day that gives a number of fans around the world the chance to play on the pitch at Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams. Fans will also have the opportunity to participate in a Manchester United Soccer School a clinic taught by Manchester United Soccer School Coaches.

Interested?

Fans in select cities can access the content through the Uber app. Just swipe up on the Manchester United card to opt in

View an associated video

posted from Bloggeroid

Jumeirah Dhevanafushi invites guests to explore house reef

Source: Jumeirah Group. Underwater view of a reef.

Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, in a secluded location at the southernmost tip of the Maldives, invites guests to explore the resort’s house reef with the newly unveiled Underwater Snorkeling Adventure experience.

The package offers guests the chance to discover some of the world’s rarest, largest and most beautiful coral reefs under the guidance of Jumeirah’s Dhevanafushi’s marine biologist. The heart-shaped Meradhoo island is located on the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, 400 km from the capital Malé and is one of the most remote islands in the Maldives.

Guests will begin the morning with a talk about ecology and reef preservation, then discover the reef for themselves. Competent swimmers can snorkel along the 850m stretch to the water bungalows.  The package also offers the opportunity to help with cleaning the house reef. The resort’s PADI certified Meradhoo dive centre can accommodate those looking to go scuba diving.

The resort comprises 37 suites, including 21 villas on land and 16 over water that are only accessible by boat. The over-water villas are equipped with a small ladder from the decking which leads directly into the ocean. All accommodation options offer a private pool and personal butler. 

Interested?

Read more about the Maldives on the Jumeirah blog: Island Hideway, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi.

Asia's first Tough Mudder to be in Bali, Indonesia

Source: Tough Mudder Indonesia. Chairi Ibrahim, Project Manager, Seroja Partners (left), Gandrasta Bangko, Business Director, Mesa Race (middle) and Ridzki Syahputera, Partner, Seroja Partners (right) at the launch of Tough Mudder Indonesia. 

Tough Mudder Indonesia has officially been launched. With 2.5 million participants in more than 200 events in six countries worldwide, Tough Mudder – said to be the world’s most recognised endurance series and called Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet, – will debut in Asia on 1 and 2 October 2016 in Bali, Indonesia.

To bring the event to the Indonesian market, Tough Mudder has partnered with market entry specialist Seroja Partners, an advisory practice based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mesa Race, race planning & management company in Indonesia, will help Seroja Partners to build obstacles at the Tough Mudder Indonesia arena.

Bali, Indonesia has been chosen to take part in the global event series due to its vibrant culture and the growing demand for health and fitness events in the tropics. “Indonesia is a strategic intersection between Asia and Australia. As a popular tourist destination, we are confident an inaugural event in Bali will attract both local and international participants and spectators,” said Ridzki Syahputera, a Partner at Seroja Partners.

“The number of sports enthusiasts in Indonesia has grown vastly and we see this as an opportunity to introduce Tough Mudder to the market. We are incredibly excited to bring the premier adventure challenge series in the world to Indonesia for the first time.”

Founded in the US in 2010, Tough Mudder is a 16km to 20km obstacle course run designed by the British Special Forces to test physical strength, stamina and mental grit. With no winners or clocks to race against, the challenge emphasises teamwork, camaraderie and the satisfaction of accomplishing something new.

Interested?

Register

Visit the associated Instagram site

Check out Tough Mudder Australia, in Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne

OCBC Cycle returns for second year, with many more activities

Source: OCBC Cycle 2016. Samuel Tsien (second from left), Group CEO of OCBC Bank, Lim Teck Yin (third from left), CEO of Sport Singapore, and Jeffrey Goh (extreme right), President of the Singapore Cycling Federation, officiating the launch of OCBC Cycle 2016 at orchardgateway, Singapore.

Singapore's largest cycling event, OCBC Cycle, returns for its second edition on 1 and 2 October this year. OCBC Cycle 2016 promises more exciting experiences, more interesting activities and more great deals for participants.

Targeting 8,000 cyclists, OCBC Cycle 2016 will see cyclists riding out from the iconic Singapore Sports Hub and onto a city route that boasts an outstanding view of the city skyline. Samuel Tsien, Group CEO of OCBC Bank, said: “Last year’s event was very successful, with strong support from the cycling community, the authorities, Friends of OCBC Cycle and – most importantly – from over 7,000 participants. That support has encouraged us to create the even more exciting OCBC Cycle 2016. There will be new highlights like a fitness boot camp, a strength-and-conditioning workshop and a family carnival specially organised by NUH Sports Centre.

"Our goal is to build OCBC Cycle into the gold standard for cycling events here. We will work hard to give participants many exciting experiences, many healthy activities and many great deals. So during the weekend of 1 and 2 October, do join us at the Singapore Sports Hub for the safe and enjoyable activities we have specifically arranged for all cyclists to enjoy with family and friends.”

There are 13 pre-event workshops and activities, including a Singapore Sports Institute Learn to Cook Healthily workshop on 14 May, and a Volvo Route Familiarisation Trip on 10 September.

From 14 May, for a donation of S$6 to charity, participants can sign up to learn how to prepare healthy meals in a cooking workshop at the Singapore Sports Institute, reach out to less privileged children by teaching them how to cycle, or join a café bike crawl in the North-East region of Singapore. New lead-up activities in 2016 include: 

 A fitness boot camp conducted by Polar 

 A strength-and-conditioning cycling workshop at Singapore Sports Institute’s new training facility  An OCBC Cycle 2016 family carnival organised by the National University Hospital Sports Centre 

More Friends of OCBC Cycle 2016 

There are six new Friends of OCBC Cycle this year: 

 Polar, a brand with a range of heart rate monitors and sports watches 

 Millennium Hotels and Resorts 

 2XU, a leading brand in athletic performance wear 

 Borsch Med, a Singapore brand specialising in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and health supplements 

 Loue Bicycles, a Singapore brand that provides professional bike fitting services 

 Wattbike, an indoor British cycling trainer solution to high performance cycling 

All 21 Friends of OCBC Cycle 2016 will offer participants promotions as well as prizes that the public can stand to win. 

New charity partners 

OCBC Cycle supports the underprivileged through The Business Times Cycle of Hope Programme, which aims to create awareness of, and raise funds to support, selected charity partners. A significant portion of the registration fee for this ride category goes to charity. This year, the organisations that OCBC Cycle will support are: 

 The Dyslexia Association of Singapore (new) 

 NUHS Fund (new) 

 The Business Times Budding Artists Fund 

 SportCares Foundation 

Besides fundraising, OCBC Cycle participants are also invited to volunteer to teach underprivileged children cycling as a life skill. This year, Friend of OCBC Cycle Millennium Hotels and Resorts will partner OCBC Cycle to support the Teach A Child To Cycle programme, with its hotel staff serving as mentors for one session of the programme. OCBC Cycle participants can volunteer for a separate session.

The Expo @ OCBC Cycle, which brings together some of the biggest names in the cycling industry across the region under one roof, will take place at OCBC Arena from 30 September to 2 October, offering participants and the public great deals and promotions on cycling gear. The first 300 cyclists to register at the event launch will receive discounts on their registration fees and a special goodie bag.

Interested?

The finale ride is on 1 and 2 October at the Singapore Sports Hub. Register

OCBC Cycle 2016 will retain its four main event categories – The Sportive Ride (42km), The Straits Times Ride (23km), Mighty Savers Kids Rides for families and children, and the OCBC Cycle Speedway South-East Asian and Club Championships. The OCBC Cycle Speedway Club Championship is the final road cycling event in Singapore for riders looking to accumulate points in a first-ever structured ranking and points system, announced by the Singapore Cycling Federation in February this year.

Companies that are keen to involve employees in OCBC Cycle 2016 can sign up for The Business Times Cycle of Hope Corporate Bike Ride or The Corporate Bike Ride. Participants who register for the corporate rides can choose to ride in either The Straits Times Ride or The Sportive Ride event categories. The company whose participants clock the most mileage – adding up the total achieved mileage from both corporate rides – will win the OCBC Cycle 2016 Longest Distance Award. 

JVC launches waterproof and washable sports in-ear headphones

Source: JVC.

JVC has four new sports headphones that include waterproof and washable options, all designed to stay in place during sports or workout activities.

The four new models include two in the JVC Gumy Sport line and two in the Extreme Fitness line. The new Gumy Sport headphones – the HA-EN10 and HA-ENR15 – feature a Nozzle Fit earpiece made of soft silicone and a unique shape that provides a comfortable and secure fit so they won’t fall out during exercise. 

Both Gumy Sport models are sweatproof with IPX2 water ingress protection rating, which signifies that they can be used during light rainfall. The 3.3-ft (1m) cable has an iPhone compatible plug, and small and medium earpieces are included to ensure the best fit. The HA-ENR15 includes an in-line remote control and microphone for use with iPod, iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry devices. Both Gumy Sport models come in a choice of four color combinations – blue/black, black/red, pink/violet and white/orange.

The new JVC HA-ETX30 and HA-ETR40 Extreme Fitness headphones feature JVC’s new Pivot Motion Fit, a soft rubber rotating hook that fits within the part of the ear just above the ear canal to provide an ultra-secure yet very comfortable fit. To tailor the fit to each user, the hook rotates and its position can easily be adjusted while wearing the earpiece. 

The Extreme Fitness headphones are IPX5/IPX7 rated, so they can be safely washed, either by rinsing under running water or rinsed briefly in a basin of water. The 3.94-ft (1.2m) cord has a gold-plated iPhone compatible plug, and each headphone comes with small, medium and large earpieces and a cable clip to hold the cable in place. The HA-ETR40 includes additional open-type earpieces that allow ambient sounds to be heard, such as approaching traffic, for safety. It also features a splash-proof in-line remote control and microphone on a 1.97-ft (0.6m) cable plus a 1.97-ft extension cord.

The HA-ETX30 is available in four colour combinations – blue/yellow, black/green, pink/blue and white/orange. The HA-ETR40 comes in gun metallic/black and red/black.

The new JVC sports headphones will be available in late September* at the following prices*:

• HA-EN10 US$14.95
• HA-ENR15 US$19.95
• HA-ETX30 US$29.95
• HA-ETR40 US$39.95

*Availability and pricing varies across countries.