Topalov
inaugurates the Puertos de Las Palmas FestivalFrom November 25 to December 2, an impressive chess festival is being held at the beautiful port of Las Palmas of the Grand Canary Islands in Spain. The occasion is the centenary of the ports.
There main event is a nine-round international open with a 2.300 € first prize, but most of the players are there for the fun and the sun. FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov flexed his newfound celebrity as a special guest. He made the honorary first move, and met with the local politicians and organizers.
The FIDE champ meets the local press.
1.g3!? Behind Topalov are José Miguel Fraguela, local chess
federation president (red tie) and the port president Emilio Mayoral.
The beautiful port area hosted a massive simultaneous exhibition by visiting and local players against local kids.
Puertos de Las Palmas human resource direction José
Luis Andonegui y tournament director Agustín Santana.
Thumbs up for chess.
The nine-round international open is led by Spain's del Río de Angelis with 6/7. A large pack of players trails with 5.5/6.
GM Fernando Peralta (Argentina) and tourney leader GM Salvador del Río
de Angelis
Canada's GM Kevin Spraggett and Bolivian champ IM Oswaldo Zambrana, who
was given a special send-off by president of Bolivia.
Cuba's GM Reynaldo Vera and peripatetic Afghan FM Zahiruddin Asefi.
Swedish GM Pia Cramling often plays with her daughter next to the table.
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