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BNP Paribas becomes the Official Partner of the French Chess Federation

BNP Paribas and the French Chess Federation (FFE) have signed an agreement under which BNP Paribas is to become the Official Partner of the FFE.

BNP Paribas has undertaken to support the French team in top-level competitions, to take part in the creation of numerous tournaments and to help the FFE to implement its policy of promoting chess among its members, in schools and among the general public.

BNP Paribas wishes to get involved in this game and to give fresh impetus to the work of the FFE by establishing close links with the leagues, committees, clubs and all of the members of the Federation, as well as through very active use of the Internet both as a medium to play the game and as a means of providing information.

As it has already done with tennis, BNP Paribas is extending its partnership policy into the social sphere by joining in the initiatives of the FFE to provide information and to develop social cohesion in sensitive urban areas through the game of chess.

This game that is 1,500 years old has become the leading strategy game throughout the world. Its rules are simple, but the battle between the pieces on a chessboard perfectly symbolises the battle between two minds. It represents a subtle combination of sport, art and science. In France there are around 920 clubs and 52,000 members.

BNP Paribas has decided to devote all of its efforts to promote sport in the traditional sense to tennis, but it is pleased to be associated with the game of chess, which is both competitive and accessible, both demanding and recreational. BNP Paribas is present in 85 countries and in particular is one of the world leaders for by-products requiring the highest level of scientific expertise. The values and spirit of this game perfectly reflect its own principles.

On 14 August in Besançon, at the French Chess Championship which will involve almost 1,000 players this year, BNP Paribas joined with the FFE to make this competitive event a great success.

> Follow the French Chess Championship live on the FFE website: www.echecs.asso.fr