Although it is not hard to go online at Playchess to catch some grandmasters, and even elite players at times, unwinding with some blitz games, they come and go, and are light-hearted affairs. If you relish hard-core blitz games, and would like to see players really put to the test, then be sure to reserve some extra boards to watch in the broadcast room because the 5th International Blitz Marathon will take place on Saturday morning at 9:30 London time with 21 continuous rounds of 5-minute games!

The event will be held in the Mega Mall Rabat

Although over 100 players have registered for this blitz bonanza, including 16 grandmasters from five continents, only the four top boards will be transmitted, ensuring viewers the most engaging and hard-fought games. This sort of competition is as much about skill as endurance, since the competition is expected to last up to ten hours non-stop.

Complete list of participants

Although Loek Van Wely has not only played the event before but comes as the Elo favorite...

... he will need to contend with Christian Bauer, also a veteran, and
who won it in 2012

A bird's eye view of the playing hall from a previous edition

On Sunday, June 8, the former world champion, and challenger to the title, Viswanathan Anand will give a simul together with Turkish GM Alexander Ipatov, World Junior Champion in 2012. The blitz Marathon will serve as a qualifier to the simul, ensuring that even lower-rated players will fight to the end for the privilege of playing in it.

Former World Champion Vishy Anand, sporting his new hairdo, will give a simul on Sunday
whose spots need to be won, not bought

Alexander Ipatov will join him in the challenge

Links Official tournament site The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.