For such successes and to be able to overcome fatigue from a fully packed schedule, youth helps a lot but there are methods employed by everyone out there, to keep cortisol under control and/or to recover lost vigor. Some would choose dark chocolate, some would go for coffee or (green?) tea, others would opt for vitamins, but no doubt, everyone playing chess would bring along a stimulant to boost the fading energy.
Playing chess with the strongest Turkish player in the tournament, Kıvanç Haznedaroğlu
The tournament director, who was tirelessly working, being present everywhere: Cemal
Gürsel Toy. I must say he reminds me of my father...
Chess with gods
You know the U2 song, "Beautiful Day"?! I guess it would fit the picture
The summit at dawn
If I were to take a wild guess, maybe Hür and Faruk were the smartest ones to use the local yet worldwide famous dried Malatyan apricots?! In case you haven't tried them out during your chess games, perhaps you will next time, since dried apricots are an important source of antioxidants, carotenoids (vitamin A), potassium, dietary fiber and iron, making them a convenient (no mess or melting in your bag, as chocolate would do), and healthy way to quickly increase your energy level. Unfortunately for me it was too late when I indulged in the golden product...my chess was going down the pan and yet I can still give you a good piece of advice: “Keep calm and enjoy the apricots!”
Visit to the Armourer Mustafa Pasha Caravanserai, Malatya. (Caravanserai was a roadside
inn where travellers could rest and recover from the long journeys)
Lunch with the officials, in a pleasant and informal atmosphere
You can see the tournament director and the president of the Turkish Chess Federation, Tulay Gülkız.
It's always the right time to play chess
Learning how to make carpets, the traditional way. (Not that I know the modern way...).
In 20 years time maybe I will show you a masterpiece.
Turkey is known to be the leading producer of dried apricots, and produces a staggering 70% of the world’s supply, from which 90% comes from Malatya alone. It is therefore no surprise that the citizens of Malatya are proud of what they have achieved and they are always inviting you for a tasting, from which there is no way one can “escape”! Apricots are present everywhere: in the shops, on the streets, painted on buses, on the front cover of the city map, in the name of our chess tournament, and if you are not careful enough, you will even stumble on the yellow fruit, since ornaments of all sorts are to be seen at every step. It couldn't be different, when the apricot has the power to bring so much to the hard working locals; this is another aspect that took me by surprise: from the airport already, while driving to our hotel and during the strolls I had in the city, Malatya struck me as a very modern town, without losing its traditional roots. And by traditional I am also referring to their hospitable nature.
The opening ceremony: the speech of the President of the Turkish Chess Federation, Gülkız Tulay
All the high officials are present to mark the event
The giant tournament hall welcoming 400 players spread in the A, B, C and D categories
The future
A penny for your thoughts
Hear no evil, see no evil
I was almost afraid to look at the shops or various products because I was surely going to be invited to try it out, or maybe for a tea/coffee or a drink of unknown provenience... I found out later it was liquorice root drink, which ...well, let’s just say it’s not my cup of tea. Still, I did appreciate their smiles and kindness, which were immediately multiplied if I mentioned my Romanian connections. It is good we had Hagi, Popescu, Comaneci etc. to put my country in the light it deserves...
Two rounds a day is no piece of cake
The tournament winner, Georgian GM Davit Benidze - the tattoo is the
Chinese spelling of his children's names
Top seed, Sergey Tiviakov
The strongest Turkish player in the tournament, Kıvanç Haznedaroğlu
The Russian GM Sergey Volkov shared the first place as well, with 7.0/9
GM Andrey Zhigalko from Belarus, shared first with 7.0/9, but ended in
third place according to tie-break.
Life is supposed to be wonderful yet nobody can guarantee it will be easy. The greatest battles are not with the humongous obstacles we get along the road, not with the ferocious opponents and certainly not with the ubiquitous daily inconveniences: the greatest battles are those with our mind. With this conclusion at hand, why wouldn't I participate next week in another double-round event in Mexico City? Rest assured, I will keep you posted.
Top boards in action
GM Valeriy Neverov from Ukraine
GM Azer Mirzoev from Azerbaijan
Hard working team for a smooth event!
The top three in category A
Happy children and proud parents!
LinksThe 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 13 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs. |
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