The Story
KIN had the privilege of being the Event Delivery Partner for the historic FIDE World Chess Championship Singapore 2024. Held in the grand setting of the Equarius Hotel ballroom at Resort World Sentosa, the event saw reigning World Champion Ding Liren of China and challenger Dommaraju Gukesh of India compete, marking the first championship in 138 years to feature two contestants from Asia. Our role spanned the comprehensive management of logistics, operations, and ensuring an undistracted, fair environment for the players within a 36-hour setup timeline.
Accompanying the landmark presence of a global technology sponsor like Google and a prize fund of US$2.5 million, was to ensure integrity and fairness of the competition. The responsibility bestowed upon KIN was immense, particularly given the tight 36-hour window available to set up the venue.
To meet and exceed these challenges, a team of 50 dedicated personnel who worked tirelessly around the clock was deployed. They embodied our commitment to professionalism, working across multiple specialties to bring the championships to life under extreme time pressures.
As the event management company overseeing daily venue operations, including crowd management and enhancing the patron experience. Our commitment to maintaining a high standard of player safety and ensuring the facilitation of requirements from the Local Organizing Committee and FIDE was paramount. Daily side programmes and the grand closing ceremony were executed flawlessly under our stewardship, each element contributing to creating a memorable championship atmosphere.
Another critical aspect of our role was the dressing and build-up of venue branding, and the setting up of the Commentary Studio. Our team worked diligently to ensure that the venue reflected the prestige of the FIDE World Chess Championship, with branding elements that enhanced the visual experience for both on-site spectators and global viewers.
To ensure an optimal level of concentration and fairness, the Field-of-Play wall and ceiling were built to a rating of STC40. This meant that while any sound over 70db could still be heard within the room, it would not be understandable, thereby minimising distractions. Spectators were also informed of the no loud noises rule, ensuring a respectful and undistracted atmosphere for the players.
Ensuring the privacy and security of the gameplay, a one-way mirror glass was installed as a key feature of the FOP. This 13mm thick glass, consisting of a 5mm clear tempered layer, a 6mm thick one-way mirror, and a plastic film laminate, was designed to absorb sound waves effectively. This allowed spectators to watch the game without disturbing the players, maintaining an undisturbed environment for strategic thought.
The FIDE World Chess Championship Singapore 2024 is a testament to KIN’s ability to deliver under pressure and innovate solutions tailored and deployed to the unique needs of the event – evidence of KIN’s dedication to excellence.
Our role in this historic championship underscores our capability and commitment to overcoming logistical and operational challenges to achieve exceptional outcomes.
