Just received this email from the organisers.
"IMPORTANT NOTICE!!
Due to series of errors from various departments, the chief arbiter after consultation with the organizing committee decided to postpone today’s round to 16:00.
Tomorrow on November 15, round 3 will start at the usual 15:00.
We apologize for any inconvenience."
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Dresden Olympiad 2008 Opens
Firsly, I must apologise to our readers who expected me to live blog from the venue. I hadn't realised that the opening would actually take place some 500m from the main playing hall, in a skating rink (the Freiberger Arena).
Calling the Olympiad a "triumph of the human spirit" and a "communion" of players, media, organisers and everyone else involved in the Games - Florencio Campomanes last night officially opened the Dresden Olympiad. That was only after a string of musical performances that included snippets from Chess (the musical), Queen's We Are the Champions and some sort of German rap! Ice skaters and cheer leaders, too, entertained the crowd that included some of the world's chess luminaries. Ivanchuk, Aronian, van Wely, Nakamura were just a few of the big wigs mingling with the audience; and so were the Australians, the girls (sans Arianne) looking proud in the green and gold, while the boys looked ready to collapse in bed after their long journeys.
Taking their cue from the biggger Olympic Games, Dresden also featured a parade of nations, with each team being represented by a couple of schoolchildren - one to carry the flag, the other to carry the country's name placard. The two-hour session took its toll on the poor kid representing Madagascar. He fell ill and had to be removed.
In fact, I was a tad worried about Susan Polgar. She appeared uncomfortable as she walked on the icy surface on her way to lighting the flame. Fortunately, she made it! But even more worrying was Florencio Campomanes. The poor guy, still popular among many who just love to have their photo taken with the FIDE legend, walked the long way to the stage and supported firmly on either side by both Winfried Lehmann and Dirk Jordan, respectively the president and chairman of the Dresden organising committee. Campo coughed now and then. His speech was slow at times, but still as eloquent as ever.
About two hours after we began, the crowd piled out of their seats to enjoy some German cuisine. We're talking soup, pretzels and sausages. Good for players as they get the stuff for free. I had to fork out €1.50 for my pretzels!
We're now just a couple hours before the first angry shots will be fired across the boards. I'll try to do some live blogging, but note that as there is no direct internet connection from the main playing hall, it will be slow and cumbersome. However, I will definitely post pictures from the round just minutes after it starts. So come back as often as you can. Also, for obvious reasons, I'll cover mainly the Australian and RP teams. The Kiwi team will also be mentioned quite extensively.
UPDATE: I've now posted some photos from last night's opening ceremony.
Calling the Olympiad a "triumph of the human spirit" and a "communion" of players, media, organisers and everyone else involved in the Games - Florencio Campomanes last night officially opened the Dresden Olympiad. That was only after a string of musical performances that included snippets from Chess (the musical), Queen's We Are the Champions and some sort of German rap! Ice skaters and cheer leaders, too, entertained the crowd that included some of the world's chess luminaries. Ivanchuk, Aronian, van Wely, Nakamura were just a few of the big wigs mingling with the audience; and so were the Australians, the girls (sans Arianne) looking proud in the green and gold, while the boys looked ready to collapse in bed after their long journeys.
Taking their cue from the biggger Olympic Games, Dresden also featured a parade of nations, with each team being represented by a couple of schoolchildren - one to carry the flag, the other to carry the country's name placard. The two-hour session took its toll on the poor kid representing Madagascar. He fell ill and had to be removed.
In fact, I was a tad worried about Susan Polgar. She appeared uncomfortable as she walked on the icy surface on her way to lighting the flame. Fortunately, she made it! But even more worrying was Florencio Campomanes. The poor guy, still popular among many who just love to have their photo taken with the FIDE legend, walked the long way to the stage and supported firmly on either side by both Winfried Lehmann and Dirk Jordan, respectively the president and chairman of the Dresden organising committee. Campo coughed now and then. His speech was slow at times, but still as eloquent as ever.
About two hours after we began, the crowd piled out of their seats to enjoy some German cuisine. We're talking soup, pretzels and sausages. Good for players as they get the stuff for free. I had to fork out €1.50 for my pretzels!
We're now just a couple hours before the first angry shots will be fired across the boards. I'll try to do some live blogging, but note that as there is no direct internet connection from the main playing hall, it will be slow and cumbersome. However, I will definitely post pictures from the round just minutes after it starts. So come back as often as you can. Also, for obvious reasons, I'll cover mainly the Australian and RP teams. The Kiwi team will also be mentioned quite extensively.
UPDATE: I've now posted some photos from last night's opening ceremony.
First Pictures from Olympiad
I've just now posted some photos from this afternoon's happenings. Some external shots of the venue as well as from the German team conference (given by Uwe Bonsch, Bundestrainer; Davit Lobzhanidze, Trainer A-Nationalmannschaft DamenJan Gustafsson, A-Nationalmannschaft Herren and Melanie Ohme, A-Nationalmannschaft Damen). Susan Polgar was in attendance along with Paul Truong.
It also looks like there are a few chess journos here from the various popular publications. The only problem is, I don't know who they are!
And by the way, I met up with Shaun Press and Brian Jones this afternoon, too, and a couple of Kiwi guys (Hilton Bennett and Helen Milligan). No sign yet of the Aussies. I'm going to have to crash their party wherever they are.
Click here for the photos.
It also looks like there are a few chess journos here from the various popular publications. The only problem is, I don't know who they are!
And by the way, I met up with Shaun Press and Brian Jones this afternoon, too, and a couple of Kiwi guys (Hilton Bennett and Helen Milligan). No sign yet of the Aussies. I'm going to have to crash their party wherever they are.
Click here for the photos.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Lunch with the Champ
How else to begin an Olympiad coverage but, naturally, to have lunch with none other than Vladimir Kramnik! There I was sitting in some Dresden restaurant when suddenly in walks GM Kramnik, all by himself. In fact, we were the only customers in this joint. Feeling bold, I call out his name and motion for him to sit at the table next to mine, and he happily did so. We discussed chess, of course, plus this and that.
A lucky start to this Olympiad, I thought. Let's hope it will remain positive.
A lucky start to this Olympiad, I thought. Let's hope it will remain positive.
Landed in Dresden
After a little detour through Spain, Italy and Austria, I've now finally made it to Dresden. It's been a long trip so far, and now I can't wait to get back to some chess action! Hopefully, we'll quickly recover some of my lost traffic!
Anyway, as of this moment, the only people I see are the visiting journos slowly arriving and being issued with press passes. I'm one of the first groups to arrive, I think, as the press centre is mostly still empty. No sign of any players still either and I've certainly not spotted any of the Aussies or Kiwis. We'll try to catch up with these guys later tonight during the opening ceremonies.
One thing I can tell you about is my press pass. In it are a number of guided tours for the visiting journos, all for free! A tour around the city on a double-decker bus looks interesting!
That's all for now - just a little informal update. I'll aim to do some live blogging tonight from about 8PM Dresden time which is 6AM Sydney and 4AM Perth.
UPDATE: Just bumped into Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales while they were strolling around the playing area. The rest of the RP team are resting. Eugene still has his humour. He thought I was playing for a team, he said!
Anyway, as of this moment, the only people I see are the visiting journos slowly arriving and being issued with press passes. I'm one of the first groups to arrive, I think, as the press centre is mostly still empty. No sign of any players still either and I've certainly not spotted any of the Aussies or Kiwis. We'll try to catch up with these guys later tonight during the opening ceremonies.
One thing I can tell you about is my press pass. In it are a number of guided tours for the visiting journos, all for free! A tour around the city on a double-decker bus looks interesting!
That's all for now - just a little informal update. I'll aim to do some live blogging tonight from about 8PM Dresden time which is 6AM Sydney and 4AM Perth.
UPDATE: Just bumped into Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales while they were strolling around the playing area. The rest of the RP team are resting. Eugene still has his humour. He thought I was playing for a team, he said!
Thursday, November 06, 2008
A Game of Chess
I'm now in Vienna. I was glad to have arrived here after having been thoroughly bored in Milan. Vienna is a city that has a little bit of something for most people - food, music, art. If you're so inclined, there is also plenty of sex on offer, though this place is no equal to Amsterdam in that regard.
Anyway, yesterday, while on a visit to the Belvedere, I spotted something that I thought you guys might be interested in. It is Josef Danhauser's "Game of Chess". Here's a discussion on that painting.
Josef Danhauser's Game of Chess -- powered by ExpertVillage.com
If the video player doesn't work for you, then just click here instead.
Anyway, yesterday, while on a visit to the Belvedere, I spotted something that I thought you guys might be interested in. It is Josef Danhauser's "Game of Chess". Here's a discussion on that painting.
Josef Danhauser's Game of Chess -- powered by ExpertVillage.com
If the video player doesn't work for you, then just click here instead.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
In Florence
I couldn't go on for another week without at least an irrelevant post. I promise, once we hit the Olympiad, we'll be back full time. That is, until I get back on my vacation again immediately after Dresden and head for Paris!
Well, right now I'm in lovely Florence, Italy. Much better than Rome, with cheaper food and drinks. But My God, this constantly falling AUD is giving me palpitations.
Well, right now I'm in lovely Florence, Italy. Much better than Rome, with cheaper food and drinks. But My God, this constantly falling AUD is giving me palpitations.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Where Am I?
Reader asks me what happened as there been no blog entry in a week. Well, clearly not a good reader. I'm on hols. At least from work and from chess. But guess what? Today, on my way back from seeing the Sagrada Familia here in Barcelona, I walked past a shop, near La Rambla that specialises in chess boards. Nothing especially irregular except that they sell a chess set that's desgigned to be played by 3 people! I might grab one of these.
That's about all for now. Other than that, and as I said a few posts below, I'm en route to Dresden. We'll definitely do some serious action then. For the time being, I'm eating and drinking my way through Spain.
That's about all for now. Other than that, and as I said a few posts below, I'm en route to Dresden. We'll definitely do some serious action then. For the time being, I'm eating and drinking my way through Spain.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
RIP Serge Rubanraut
Just heard the bad news from Sydney. One-time Australian national chess champion (1976), Serge Rubanraut, passed away peacefully last Sunday from a heart attack.
I just spoke to Francisco Plaza not more than 10 minutes ago and I understand that the funeral will be held this Friday, though it´s not confirmed exactly what time. For those who wish to attend the memorial, please contact Carey Cowling on 0424-462-910.
On a personal note, I knew Serge mostly from meeting him in Hyde Park and, latterly, spending time with him and the boys in Town Hall as well as the Spanish Club on Friday nights. He was a good man, always willing to share his chess knowledge with us mere patzers. Even after all these years, and long away from the cutthroat of competition, Serge still had the moves.
I have a couple of posts on Serge which you´ll read here. So long Serge.
I just spoke to Francisco Plaza not more than 10 minutes ago and I understand that the funeral will be held this Friday, though it´s not confirmed exactly what time. For those who wish to attend the memorial, please contact Carey Cowling on 0424-462-910.
On a personal note, I knew Serge mostly from meeting him in Hyde Park and, latterly, spending time with him and the boys in Town Hall as well as the Spanish Club on Friday nights. He was a good man, always willing to share his chess knowledge with us mere patzers. Even after all these years, and long away from the cutthroat of competition, Serge still had the moves.
I have a couple of posts on Serge which you´ll read here. So long Serge.
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