The Chessboard and Beyond - Blog 1

On Facebook I had messages and likes from more than 20 countries the first week already. I’m aware that, especially during the top tournaments, many of you would like to ask me questions. Well, here we go...

The chessboard, and beyond that :) What has landed in my mailbox before (fan letters, requests, messages), is much easier to handle now that I started my official website and opened my Facebook profile. And maybe now it is much easier for you as well to get in touch with me. On Facebook I had messages and likes from more than 20 countries the first week already. I’m aware that, especially during the top tournaments, many of you would like to ask me questions. Well, here we go, I think, I can find the right means to share my thoughts and the behind the scenes stories with you in a blog. Of course, I will do some evaluation of my games as well. I have enjoyed sharing my experiences about some interesting situations and parties before, but now, through words, not at the demo-board, it may be enjoyable even for those, who are not chess fanatics in the narrow sense.

Last time I played at a tournament was last December. The European Rapid and Blitz Championships was a kind of warm up for me for the strongest open chess tournament ever, the Gibraltar Open. It’s going to be a tough 10 days. Many great players accepted the invitation, among them Peter Svidler, the winner of the last World Chess Cup. Seriously, I can hardly wait to start playing. The field is very mixed, as it should be so at an open tournament. There are top professionals and amateurs, strong players and not so strong players, men and women. As for women, almost everyone from the top will be here, starting with the reigning world champion, Hou Yifan. What is a little strange for me, the tournament will have 10 rounds. Open tournament usually have 9 or 11 round. Oh, well!

The weather is going to be nice, that’s for sure. Or at least much nicer than back home. It goes up to 17-18 degrees Celsius during the day. Of course, I won’t have much time to enjoy that. Anyway, the Gibraltar Festival is a great example of what prestige can chess bring to a city or a country. It was for a good reason, that Her Majesty The Queen appointed Brian Callaghan, the organizer of the tournament to be Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to tourism and chess. I have kept in touch with Brian for quite a few years now, and I wonder how he will manage to make it a fun festival and have very strong players fighting at the tables at the same time. I’m also curious about the evening social programs, as I heard they are very exciting and fun.

All right, let the chess begin!

 

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