Miskolc free day: an encounter with the Miskolc youth

Peter Leko vs Anand in Miskolc, Hungary This Rapid Chess event is taking place in Miskolc from June 2-7, 2009. The year’s most prestigious clash in Hungary is being organized at the National Theater, 1 Déryné str, Miskolc. The number one Hungarian grandmaster, Peter Leko takes up a duel of eight games against the Indian World Champion Viswanathan Anand. The games will be played at a rate of 25 minutes for all moves with a bonus of ten seconds per moves. Colours change at half-time. In case of a 4-4 draw blitz games will decide the winner. The arbiter of the Match is WGM Zsuzsa Veroci, Head of Communication of the Hungarian Chess Federation. At the end of each day of play there will be a press conference of 10-15 minutes with both players. On the final day the press conference will last 30 minutes.

Miskolc 2009 – Free day

Picture report by Frederic Friedel and Gabor Veroci

Friday, the free day between the two halves of the tournament, is always dedicated to public relations, chess promotion and feel-good activities. It starts with a reception at the ITC International Trade Center (Mindszent Square), in the splendid Rákóczi Saloon.

The head of the ITC Center (middle) welcomes the two players in this beautiful room

Sofi and Peter Leko, who have now been together for ten years

In a previous report we published a picture of Sofi Leko making a phone call after a game. A few readers recognised the cellphone but wanted it confirmed: yes, it is a iPhone 3G.

I (Frederic Friedel) am allowed to play with the Apple toy, with Peter watching to make sure I don't stumble on photos that are too personal. Aruna, as usual, does not approve of my curiosity.

Match Arbiter Zsuzsa Veroci and her brother Gabor, who took many of the pictures in this report

I am forced to get Aruna's approval for all the pictures I take. The trick is I publish the ones she does not clear.

Lecture for the Miskolc Youth

After the reception – with champagne and cold snacks – the players castle to the adjacent hall, where there is a public event: an encounter with the chess youth of Miskolc.

The encounter between the two players on the stage and a hall packed with chess fans

Peter Leko and Vishy Anand, with Zsuzsa Veroci moderating and translating for Anand

The hall is full – the only untaken seat is that of the photographer

Peter and Anand chat with the audience and with each other

A very talented young player, Lila Kassay, who has won the Hungarian Championship in her age group three times. Peter warned Vishy about this girl, in case he faced her in a simultaneous exhibition.

A diligent questioner and photographer: Dr Péter Fehér, an
educational technologist who used to be a master-level chess player

An Indian exchange student poses a question – in Hindi. Wrong
language, fella. Vishy understands a bit, but only speaks Tamil.

Anand answering the questions of the audience with charm and humour

Peter doing the same, judging from the reaction of the audience (we of course couldn't understand a word)

After the Q&A Anand showed the audience a game he had played against Joel Lautier

Anand made it very entertaining for the kids, often pausing to pose questions to the audience...

... not just the "what is the best move" kind, but also "which piece is going to mate?"

Peter is equally entertaining, althought of course in Hungarian...

...and showing a game he won against Boris Gelfand

After the games a book and programme signing

Four Indian exchange students have turned up and pose with their hero

...as does another group of exchange students, from Hungary and Bulgaria

Finally the two players pose with students and trainers of the Leko Chess School

Video

Video impressions by Vijay Kumar for Europe Echecs

In the evening, after this public event, we went to a wine tasting, hosted by the Grof Degenfeld Winery and the Mayor of Miskolc, in the City Hall. This highly enjoyable oenophilic (learn that word, we are bound to use it again) experience will be the subject of another pictorial report. Naturally you have noticed that you can scroll the picture above horizontally.

Remaining schedule of the Rapid Chess event

Links
Lékó & Anand official web site All games in PGN All ChessBase reports from Miskolc 2006 Leko vs Karpov Miskolc 2007 Leko vs Kramnik Miskolc 2008 Leko vs Carlsen The games will be broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download the free PGN reader ChessBase Light, which gives you immediate access. You can also use the program to read, replay and analyse the PGN games.
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