Istratescu - Karpov: 1/2-1/2
First game was a draw. Istratescu had the white pieces. It's interesting that the match is getting constant media attention, something chess wasn't entitled to in Romania in the past 10 years. Of course, there were a few blunders on tv, like simply calling Karpov "a chessplayer"...I mean, come on, he's one of the greatest of all time, and they call him like that. Another tv station went into the other extreme: they presented GM Karpov playing against Istratescu, a chessplayer...like he wasn't a GM, too, and second best in our country. But whatever...good that chess is in focus, even if only for a week.

Lots of VIP's present at the opening. President Basescu made the first move for Istratescu, d4, after requesting " a moment to think about the move" :) A Queen Gambit declined, Lasker variation. A 34-move draw, that doesn't seem to be one of those "GM draws". But hey, what do I know, and then again, it's just an exhibition match. After the match, the sensory board they're playing on will be sold, and the money used to sponsor chess clubs for children in Romania.

http://www.chess-romania.ro/eveniment/indexen.html
- posted by Időbeosztás-guru @ 10:16 AM