Garry Kasparov, world chess champion, active politician and oppositionist of Russian government, is paying visit to Georgia. He held joint matches session at Tbilisi Chess Palace in Vera Park.
Girls and boys (age 12-19) were opponents of Kasparov. At first, 10 chess players were planned to participate in the session but then their number increased with one. 6 boys and 5 girls were among 11 participants. These players are: Keti Tsatsalashvili, Mariam Danelia, Lika Kobeshavidze, Nino Khomeriki, Dea Gogishvili, Gigla Benidze, Aleksandre Ebralidze, Giorgi Nikolashvili, Irakli Beradze, Giorgi Sibashvili and Nika Kumsiashvili.
Kasparov won all matches but young chess players will never forget this day. Kasparov had one hour against each opponent and his opponent had 45 minutes.
Before the start of the session, Kasparov held meeting with Gia Giorgadze, president of Georgian Chess Federation, and 5-time world champions Nona Gaprindashvili and Maia Chiburdanidze.
Garry Kasparov: “I have not played chess for a long time. When I was offered to hold joint matches session with young chess players, I agreed with great pleasure. I was their and I know what it means to play against famous chess player. This day will be one of the most important days in their lives and they will never forget it.
- What can you say about young chess players?
- Some talented chess players are among them. If they work hard they can play well. Georgia has great chess traditions and I want to mention that the country still keeps them.
- I want to ask you about policy. How can you estimate current relationship between Georgia and Russia?
- Georgia and Russia had good relationship but now it is not so. It is the fault of Russian premier-minister Vladimir Putin. He and Russian president Medvedev should resign, they did not justify hopes of Russian people.
Gia Giorgadze: “I think, this session was very important for young Georgian chess players”.
Keti Tsatsalashvili: “I lost but I am very happy. It is the first time when I am happy after losing the match. That is because I played against Garry Kasparov”.
Giorgi Nikolashvili
- Before expiring the time, you had 2 minutes left, and your opponent had 19 seconds. But you did not continue playing and gave in…
I was losing the match and it was no use to continue playing. Kasparov had advantage from the beginning and kept it till the end.
Roland Labuchidze
