Chess in the birthplace of Modern Persian
3/27/2012 – Mashhad is known as the city of Ferdowsi (940–1020), the Iranian poet and author of Shahnameh (“Book of Kings”), which is considered to be the most important work in Persian literature. Ferdowsi also loved chess, and wrote poetry about its emergence. In his honor, the 2nd Ferdowsi International Chess Open was recently held. 16-year-old FM Nima Javanbakht has the report.
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Chess in the birthplace of Modern Persian
By Nima Javanbakht
Statue of Ferdowsi in Rome, Italy
Mashhad is known as the city of Ferdowsi (940–1020), the Iranian poet and author of Shahnameh (“Book of Kings”), which is considered to be the national epic of Iran. Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, the product of over three decades of labor (977 to 1010), is the most popular and influential work in Iran and other Persian-speaking nations. Among its themes, Ferdowsi complains about poverty and the ravages of old age.
Courtiers of Bayasanghori playing chess in the Shahnameh
Ferdowsi also wrote poetry about the emergence of chess, and he was not alone as other Iranian poets and writers loved chess and their literature and old books all talk about it.
Imam Reza's shrine at the heart of Mashhad
Mashhad is at the the centre of the Razavi Khorasan province, located in northeastern Iran, and is not only the second largest city in Iran, but also one of the holiest cities in the Shia Muslim world. Today, Mashhad is notably known as the resting place of the Imam Reza.
2nd Ferdowsi International Chess Open Tournament.
The second Ferdowsi International Chess tournament drew 136 participants, consisting of 8 GMs, 10 IMs, 5 FIDE masters from 11 countries (Azerbaijani, Uzbekistan, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, India, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Pakistan, Iran) and was held in the city of Mashhad, Iran.
Tournament poster
A generous $25,000 prizefund was reserved for the event.
Final Ranking
| Rk | Tit | Name | Fed | Rtg | Pts | TB |
| 1 | GM | Pashikian Arman | ARM | 2608 | 9.0 | 79.5 |
| 2 | GM | Tiviakov Sergei | NED | 2677 | 8.5 | 76.5 |
| 3 | IM | Darini Pouria | IRI | 2458 | 8.5 | 75.5 |
| 4 | GM | Fominyh Alexander | RUS | 2479 | 8.5 | 74.0 |
| 5 | FM | Javanbakht Nima | IRI | 2389 | 8.5 | 70.0 |
| 6 | GM | Mahjoob Morteza | IRI | 2440 | 8.0 | 78.5 |
| 7 | IM | Idani Pouya | IRI | 2448 | 8.0 | 73.0 |
| 8 | GM | Babujian Levon | ARM | 2474 | 8.0 | 72.5 |
| 9 | GM | Ibrahimov Rasul | AZE | 2550 | 8.0 | 72.0 |
| 10 | IM | Shalamberidze Akaki | GEO | 2330 | 8.0 | 70.5 |
| 11 | IM | Alavi Sayed Javad | IRI | 2442 | 8.0 | 70.0 |
This image is not a magician, but that of Sergei Tiviakov celebrating his birthday.
The good-tempered Dutch grandmaster took second place.
The Khayam Tournament specifically for women
Rasul Ibrahimov (Azerbaijan) playing Pouria Darini (Iran), 0-1 in round 10. Pouria Darini
came thiurd and scored a GM norm.
Memorial plaques given at the event
Armenian GM Amran Pashikian (first), Sergey Tiviakov (second)
and Pouria Darini (third).
Nima Javanbakht, the author, in action
Photos by Reza Pashanejati
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