Anatoly Karpov on Tour de France
The official Tour de France site announced the event
The 2012 Tour de France is underway, and it will be connected to chess in more ways than you might expect. This giant sports event is the third largest in the world, behind only the Olympics and the World Cup, but with one major difference: it is held every year.
The 99th edition sought to include another spectacle alongside it and the organizers chose a special chess bonanza with the 12th World Champion, Anatoly Karpov. Every day, through the website of our esteemed colleagues, Europe Echecs, Karpov will play a move against the online audience who will choose their moves via vote.
Anatoly Karpov giving a simul during the recent world championship
"Although I have never participated in the Tour de France, I think I have followed it on television from more than 70 different countries. (...) I see many similarities between our two sports and mainly because we practice disciplines of endurance. I remember my World Championship match against Viktor Korchnoi which lasted over two months and 32 games!"
Which was the more grueling: the Tour de France or the mammoth matches?
The event will be hosted via the French chess portal and is open to all via a simple and free registration process at the site.
Two points worth noting: Each day Yves Marek will write a chronicle especially for the Europe Echecs web site with a link between the stage of the day of the Tour de France and the move of the day between Karpov and his rivals. The 9th stage on Monday will join Arc-et-Senans to Besançon where Europe Echecs was founded in 1959.
Still, this is not the event's only link to chess. Indeed, Bessel Kok, the one-time founder of the GMA, as well as patron of the noble game, owns 40% of one of the teams: Omega Pharma Quick Step with top French racer Sylvain Chavanel as well as German champion Tony Martin.
Here is the press release:
Anatoly Karpov on Tour de France with Europe Echecs !
On Friday, July 21st, Anatoly Karpov will be the honorary guest of Tour de France. From Saturday, June 30th, come to challenge the 12th World Chess champion in a game versus the rest of the World on www.europe-echecs.com
Each day Yves Marek will write a chronicle especially for the Europe Echecs web site
with a link between the stage of the day of the Tour de France and the move of the day
between Karpov and his rivals.
The 19th stage will be a race against the clock of 53.5km from Bonneval to Chartres. Like any chess amateur, spectators from the Tour de France are invited to challenge the legendary champion !
Karpov vs. Rest of the World : it’s your move !
The principle is simple : the time control will be a move per day. Karpov will start the game with white pieces. Any registered player will propose a move online. The move voted the most will be chosen and played. Karpov will answer. And so on until the last stage of Tour de France, on Sunday, July 22nd ! The arrival is on Champs Elysées, will Karpov be able to win before?
Join up with the rest of the world and try to beat Karpov before July 22nd, the last day of the race
Challenge Karpov on europe-echecs.com
This game « Karpov versus the rest of the World » will be played on the website Europe-Echecs, the number one french-speaking chess platform.
To register for free click
here.
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