First
«Circuit des Espoirs Europe Echecs»
The French chess magazine Europe Echecs is celebrating the 50th anniversary
of its foundation with a youth rapid tournament in Lyon, France, the town known
as the gastronomy capital of the World. The event is being covered on live steaming
video, with live commentary in English and French. The guest of honour is the
12th World Champion Anatoly Karpov. The young stars are playing their games
in the premises of the club Olympique
Lyon Chess 3, rue de l ' Angile, 69005 Lyon, on the very special table which
was used by Kasparov and Karpov during their World Championship match in Lyon
1990! The participants are:
Sébastien Feller
|
17 |
FRA |
2540 |
GM, French Junior Champion 2007, runner up in EU U16 2007 |
Romain Edouard |
18 |
FRA |
2509 |
IM, European U16 Champion 2006, runner up in U18 in 2007 |
Tania Sachdev |
21 |
IND |
2423 |
IM and WGM, Asian Champion 2007 |
Sophie Milliet |
24 |
FRA |
2354 |
WGM, two IM norms, French Women's Champion 2003. |
There will be six games of rapid chess, played at the speed of 15 minutes for
all moves with a five second increment per move. In case of a tie there will
be two five minute blitz games with a two second increment, and if the score
is still tied an Armageddon playoff 5/4 with draw odds for Black (watch it in
slow motion in YouTube). The prizes are 600 Euros for first place, 400 Euros
for second, 300 for third and 200 for fourth.
Europe Echecs video reports
Reports of the opening, interview with Anatoly Karpov, and more to come

Center of attention: Anatoly Karpov prepares for a few friendly blitz games

Karpov takes on the first challenger, IM Yohan Benitah, captain of the Lyon
team

Another player, Sylvain Ravot, get a chance to try his hand against the
legendary champion
Even some of the kids get to play – note that material is equal in
the above position, although Karpov has 1.f3 Nc5 2.Bf5 Bxf5 3.Nxf5 with the
threat of 4.Qxg7# and 4.Nxe7. The Exif information of the photo does not show
what actually transpired in the game.

Karpov poses with local chess fans...

... and plays some games against them on a garden chess board

Karpov with the players: Romain Edouard, Tania Sachdev, Sophie Milliet,
Sébastien Feller

The games under way, but not what you read on the signs, but Sachdev vs
Feller

The Indian chess star faces the youngest but highest rated player, GM Sébastien
Feller