Martinique c'est magnifique (1/2)

Text and photos by Alina L'Ami (click on images for high-res)

Waking up in Paradise, in the French West Indies

The 6th edition of Martinique's International Open, held in Fort-de-France between 09-13.04.2017,  made your Romanian author by birth become Caribbean by conviction. I am still trying to understand quite what that means though.

Blending in

Focusing on chess with such premises – now that's a challenge

The stunning scenery with volcanic backdrops can break open the heart of the most misanthropist chess player. But if nature doesn't really jazz you up, the worldwide winning rums will make sure you'll get at least a punch of optimism with the local Ti' Punch.

Martinique's cocktail heavyweight champion, rhum agricole + cane syrup + fresh lime, could prove a bit too lethal for a chessy brain, so here's Plan B:

Rum's authority shaken up by ingenious beer mixers

This could be, however, distracting too (boo hoo, pity the poor exhausted chess tourists from the rigors of vacation).

But how could one say no to such an inviting smile? Forced move here my friend, you must try at least a sample of Le Planteur (another rum-based drink in Martinique).

Almost obscene to complain under such beguiling circumstances, the everyday double rounds, however, didn't quite allow for some time off to recover from all the voluntary excess, excitement, jet lag or any other excuse you could think of.

The professionals remain professional no matter what

At the end of the five days marathon, the tournament finished with GM Romain Edouard breaking the tie against GM Fabien Libiszewski, after they both scored an impressive 8.5/9!

Just because I am in Reykjavik at the moment: “I don't believe in psychology, I believe in good moves”

Romain Edouard vs Evgenij Ermenkov

Romain and Fabien got into the chess groove through their simuls prior the tournament

Chess feast

Take that Creole spirit of freedom, add the Gallic joie de vivre and you'll get a picture which can hardly ever be seen in a FIDE rated event: chess players bursting into laughter while playing their good or bad moves. It is not frivolity nor thoughtlessness but rather a Martinican sensibility which goes beyond the chess board. The chess fire cannot fully be enjoyed unless you're sharing it with the others.

Contagious

I couldn't repress a smile either when my radar caught similar chuckles in the tournament hall, although I was in deep suffering against an opponent rated hundreds of points lower than me.

Alina L'Ami vs Pierre Grego

Fun is fun but everyone wants to win

Continued in Part 2