Living chess

OK, it was a rest day, but this didn’t mean there wasn’t any chess. Under a bright shining sun, a living chess show took place today, in which an old game Smyslov-Reshevsky was brought to life, in the middle of one of Linares’s streets.

I still owe you some videos from round 10, but the internet connection in hotel Anibal is so dramatic, that I’ve hardly been able to upload anything. Tomorrow I’ll be back in the venue’s press room, where things will be better.

Luckily, uploading photos was possible. And what a coincidence: I had been shooting some nice ones today! The living chess event was quite a show, played by children between six and fourteen years old (members of a theater school in Xàbia). They were not only (re)playing a game of chess, no, they were telling the complete history of the development of (Olympic) sports throughout history, from the stone age till the 21st century.

Below there’s the game that was used for the show. Reshevsky resigned after Smyslov’s 41st move, but in Linares they played on until mate.

Living chess in the middle of the street; an event that attracted approximately two hundred spectators.

Two of them we know.

The children were wearing beatiful outfits.

Here for example we see some Black pieces at the kingside. Pawn f7 is eager to play today.

“I want to reach at least the third rank today!”

Does pawn g7 already suspect that he’ll be the only black piece that won’t make a move in this game?

Indeed, it’s serious business for that normally weakish pawn f7!

Always wanted to know what it’s like to be a rook?

To have to walk straight all the time?

In this game they’re hanging out together.

The Black queen seems to await her chances.

Her White colleague doesn’t seem to be too happy, but hey, in this game she’s actually not needed to capture the Black king.

This black pawn shows some impressive gymnastics.

This black pawn wasn’t so active, but he sure looks menacing.

Indeed Magnus: even chess pieces like a game of tennis every now and then.

Are you sure you want to take me?

Well, not before we do a little dance!

The moves were called by Luis Rentero Suares, the famous ex-tournament director, and the young chess player from Linares José Carlos Fernández.

While Spain’s most famous chess journalist Leontxio Garcia served as a host and narrator.

Here too, the (Olympic) motto was: participating is more important than winning.

Afterwards, journalist GM Ian Rogers couldn’t resist…