Grachten and fietsen – Alexandra in Amsterdam

On Saturday in Amsterdam Alexandra Kosteniuk, the world women's vice champion, gave the first ever chess simul on cell phone. This was done with the help of special software developed by a company called Mobile Excellence, who were the organisers of the Amsterdam event. There Alexandra played against six opponents who were not present in the playing hall, but in six different locations in Holland. They were on their way to the Theater de Balie, where Alexandra was located, while playing moves on their cell phones. A cool gag!

Picture gallery

Alexandra in Amsterdam, famous for its grachten (canals) and fietsen (bicycles)

The simultaneous setup in the Theater de Balie

During the games, and checking out the cell phone chess technology

One of the games was played on an open-air board on the Max Euwe Square.
The moves were transmitted by cell phone to the Theater, which is close by.

One of the players is the father-in-law of GM Yasser Seirawan. Mr. Nagel played
against Alexandra with Yasser and daughter Yvette supporting him from above.

T he last two games against Ron Nep and Bert Houweling

A fully concentrated Bert Houweling, who managed to draw his game

Ron Nep succumbs to Alexandra's extra material and speed in the final game

With the Managing Director of Mobile Excellence, Hans van Briemen