Glu partners with chess champion

Glu Mobile has announced the signing of a new agreement to develop and publish Kasparov Chess, in partnership with World Champion and the highest rated chess player of all time, Garry Kasparov.

The game is scheduled for release in the US early in 2007, promising a wide range of player options and gameplay modes, including cross-carrier international multiplayer modes.

A European release and further additional regional versions of the game outside of the US are planned, although no official confirmation on release dates have been disclosed to date.

Jill Braff, Glu's general manager, Americas, commented: "Kasparov has been closely involved with every step of the creation of the titles - from the development of the best-in-class engine to the interface and graphics."

"Chess has been Kasparov's life's work, and it's an honour to work with a living legend to create a game that will reflect his expertise and passion for chess," Braff added.

The highest rated player in the history of Chess, Garry Kasparov's exploits include becoming the youngest ever World Champion at the age of 22 (following his dramatic win against the then World Champion Anatoly Karpov in 1985).

In addition to multiple World Championship wins, Kasparov has successfully beaten IBM's Deep Blue and a number of significantly higher powered computer competitors.

"Glu's development and deployment capabilities combined with their passion for delivering engaging games on the mobile platform made them the ideal partner to create this game," added Garry Kasparov.

"From the creation of the chess engine to the multiplayer capabilities, Kasparov Chess will give players around the world a way to compete and progress in chess."

The game will be available on major wireless carriers in 2007, and full game features are expected to be announced closer to launch.