Impressions of Moscow
By Anna Dergatschova
I am probably not the only person who prefers the place they were born to
any other place in the world. I was lucky enough to have been born in Moscow.
This city has a very special atmosphere and vibrancy. Every time I visit the
city I feel reborn. I visit friends and relatives, my favourite book and music
shops, and I check out the chess scene, which I know so well.
Nowadays the Russian Social University has students studying to become chess
trainers and managers. All these students are pretty strong players themselves,
and we even find the occasional International Master amongst them. But they
don’t want to become professional players themselves, as is the case
with the chess students at the Sports Institute.
Future Russian chess trainers and managers
At the Social University the students will later teach children how to play
the game, train them to become masters, help them in their careers. The idea
to open a faculty for chess trainers was the brainchild of my very first chess
trainer Alexander Kostjev, who is currently the dean of the University; and
my friend Tamara Minogina is teaching at the faculty. They asked me to give
a lecture, as a WIM and a chess journalist, to tell the students what a chess
career can hold in store. I mentioned the five lost years I spent studying
at the pedagogic academy, even though I soon realised that I could only be
a very average teacher of the Russian language and literature. It is futile
to try to run away from chess. As a passionate player you will remain a player
all life long.
Opening ceremony with balloons in the President Hotel
Naturally I had to visit the blitz tournament in Moscow. Unfortunately due
to the weather and the danger of terrorist attacks it had to be held in the
President Hotel this year. A great shame, since the charm and atmosphere of
the previous years was lost. The spectators consisted of only the organisers,
some journalists and the players themselves.
Chess in the park in the previous year
Compare that with previous years where chess enthusiasts crowding around the
boards, even offering advice to the players. A big room with posters and balloons
cannot compete with the park, with its museums and statues, with the beauty
of the natural surroundings.
During the game Alexey Dreev-Andrey Rychagov
Farrukh Amonatov
The tournament itself was very strong. A few were seeded to the finals, the
others had to qualify in three gruelling semifinals. You probably know the
final results: Alexander Morozevich won first place, Alexander Grischuk came
second. Alexey Dreev, the winner of the traditional samovar in the previous
year, did not have a chance this time around.
Players Aleksandrov, Grischuk and Motylev
Grischuk vs Rjasanzev
A very pleasant surprise was the appearance of ex-world champion Boris Spassky
at the tournament. Boris stayed for a while in Moscow, to work in his capacity
as Editor of the chess magazine “Schachmatnaja Nedelja“.
Surprise visitor Boris Spassky (right)
The winner Alexander Morozevich with chess legend David Bronstein
Ljudmila Belavenez and David Bronstein
14-year-old IM Vera Nebolsina with trainer Badminov
Irina Vasilevich and Irina Zagurdjaeva
The youngest spectator
Winner Alexander Morozevich (left) with fans
After the tournament I joined the Alexander Morozevich Fan Club and went to
the Gorky Park instead of the closing dinner. After that a stroll through Moscow
and dinner in a Japanese restaurant.
Moscow's Gorky Park
Alexander Morozevich finding out whether he has other special talents
Our reporter Anna Dergatschova meets a friend in the park
A close-up of the happy young colleagues
Anna with a former friend and leader (not really)
Alexander Morozevich celebrates in the Japanese restaurant
Moscow at night – the Kremlin and the famous St Basil's Cathedral
Moscow is open 24 hours a day – cafés, casinos, movie theatres,
shops, even barbers. But I will tell you more about that in November, when
I return to my beloved Moscow for the super final of the Russian Championship.
All the big K’s will be playing there, including my personal favourite:
Garry Kasparov.
Previous Moscow Blitz tournaments
