Peter Leko vs Anatoly Karpov in Miskolc
 |
Chess Rapid Match – Miskolc
Peter Leko and Anatoly Karpov are playing a rapid chess
match in Miskolc, Hungary, from August 30 to September 3, 2006. There
are two games per day at 16:00h and 17:30h European time.
Péter Lékó was born
on 8th September 1979 in Subotica, and has been living in Szeged since
1980. At 2738 Elo he is ranked sixth in the world (July 2006).
Anatoly Karpov, born on May 23, 1951,
is the legendary 12th world champion and the most successful tournament
player of all time. His peak strength was 2780, his current rating is
2668, putting him at no. 40 in the world.
|
Day two
You could see the surprise on Anatoly Karpov's face when a little boy, son
of a sponsor, ceremonially made the first move for Peter Leko. Was it an error
by the child or did Leko really intend to abandon his beloved 1.e4 and play
1.d4 in the third game of their rapid chess match? He did, and the two followed
a game from San Luis, Topalov vs Anand, until Karpov deviated on move 20. But
with the resulting protected pawn on c6 White was able to settle down to a nice
torture routine. Karpov was soon very low on time, which led to Peter Leko becoming
a little careless and running out of time himself. This in turn led to a few
inaccuracies, but in the end the only player who deserved to win did in fact
take the full point home.
The fourth game was another Nimzo Indian with 4.Qc2, as in game two. This time
Leko deviated with 5.a3, and Karpov got some microscopic advantages, and the
game wound up in a rook endgame that White could not win against a player of
Leko's caliber.
Score so far
Peter Leko |
½ |
½ |
1 |
½ |
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
Anatoly Karpov |
½ |
½ |
0 |
½ |
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
Note that there are no games on Friday – just excursions
and receptions for the players.
Picture gallery

3:30 p.m. – the BMW limousines are waiting to take the players to
the venue

Peter Leko emerges with his entourage: manager Karsten Hensel, family

Anatoly Karpov with a friend and an organiser

Backstage: Peter Leko tells the young lad which move he plans to play...

...and the boy faithfully executes it on the board

Anatoly Karpov: trying to figure out what Leko is up to

The setup on the stage of the theatre, with the giant projection screens

Karpov facing the slow torture of Leko's advanced c-pawn

The final stages of a dramatic encounter

Sorry, he's happily married, ladies...

The start of game four, which Anatoly Karpov determined to win...

...and Peter Leko determined not to lose. It ended in a draw.

In the evening: Hungarian food and wine in the central square of Miskolc

...while a brass and keyboard band entertain visitors with Gershwin and jazz
Pictures and report by Frederic Friedel