The Dutch TV program is called De Wereld draait door ("the world
is turning crazy") and is broadcast five times a week. It covers current
news and always invites guests to ask their opinion about the events taking
place in Holland and the rest of the world.
The show has a section called "The Jackal". On their website you
can ask the jackal to do something extraordinary. Someone suggested that jackal
Lauren Verster, a former MTV presenter, should go to the Corus 2006 chess tournament
in Wijk aan Zee and to challenge Veselin Topalov to a game of chess. And that
is exactly what she did.
The film starts with an introduction by Laura about the chess tournament
in Wijk aan Zee.
She meets the tournament director Tom Bottema and finds out who exactly this
Veselin Topalov guy is. She says she would like to play against him, and Tom
advises her that she might need a bit of help.
Lauren get a wireless receiver so that Tom can dictate moves to her.
She challenges Topalov to a friendly game: "may the best player win!"
The board has coordinates on each square so that Lauren, who is not a chess
player, can keep track.
Tom is watching the game on a monitor and dictates the moves wirelessly to
Lauren.
Topalov is visibly amazed that this beautiful young lady who doesn't seem
to be able to hold the pieces properly is playing a strong game of chess against
him.
And even more surprised at the very relaxed way she is going about it.
Lauren starts up some small talk ("do you have other hobbies apart from
chess?"), while playing good, sound moves.
She asks a somewhat flabbergasted Topalov if she can smoke...
... and soon offers him a draw ("otherwise I think we will be playing
until three in the morning").
Veselin, still somewhat confused, graciously accepts (in a better position)
...
... and the game between the Jackal and the world champion ends in a draw.
Vester,Lauren - Topalov,Veselin [D02]
Wijk aan Zee friendly Yerevan, 2006
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 c6 4.e3 Qb6 5.Qc1 Bg4 6.Nbd2 e6 7.Bd3 Nbd7
8.0-0 Be7 9.c3 Nh5 10.Bg3 f5 11.Ne5 Nxg3 12.hxg3 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Qc7 14.f4 h5
15.Nf3 h4 16.gxh4 Bxf3 17.Rxf3 Rxh4 18.g3 ½-½
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