Kasparov takes East Germany in 2001
The masked men in the picture are Garry Kasparov and Thilo von Selchow. Actually
they are wearing special protective suits in a "clean room" of the
chip factory. That was in June 2001, when Kasparov first visited ZMD and eastern
Germany. We reported on that visit in a multimedia
report in ChessBase Magazine 83 extra.
Kasparov's first visit was so successful that Kasparov's host, the east German
chip manufacturer "Zentrum Mikroelektronik Dresden" (ZMD) decided
to do a repeat in their home town of Dresden. In August 2001 CEO von Selchow
invited the charismatic ex world champion to celebrate the 40th birthday of
his company. In the beautiful Pillnitz castle, which took 100 years to complete
(starting from 1720), Kasparov first gave a simultaneous exhibition. And in
July this year ZMD sponsored the traditional Dresden Open, which has been aptly
renamed the "ZMD
Open".
Simul at Schloss Pillnitz

Schloss Pillnitz – Pillnitz Castle

Simultaneous exhibition in the castle

These are the boards with the German women's champions under 12, 10, 14 and
16

Kasparov with Thilo von Selchow

At breakfast the next morning

The Dresden opera – giving away drinks on the hottest day of the year

Visiting the famous "Zwinger" art gallery

Some of the most beautiful paintings in the world

The Elbe river, which flows through Dresden

The famous sandstone cliffs ("Sandsteingebirge")
