Anand awards the rapid and blitz national champions
The World Champion Viswanathan Anand visited Romania from 27th to 29th of November. This was the first visit of Anand to the country, upon invitation from the organizers of Gambit-Elizabeth Polihroniade and Romgaz.
On the first day of the visit Anand gave a press conference at the concert hall of Hotel Intercontinental, only a few hours after he landed at the local airport. Anand thanked the organizers for the invitation and confirmed that it is very possible he will come back to Romania for the Bazna Kings 2010 tournament. Anand shared about his chess carreer, the development of chess in India, praised Mahatma Gandhi as the most important in Indian history, and one more time confirmed that the World Championship format is not important to him.
Asked how will he prepare for the 2010 World Chess Championship with Topalov, Anand answered, “When you have the world title the stakes are much higher and the emotions are much stronger. But until the negotiations are concluded I should not say more.”
On the second day he played a simul at the Parliament Palace against 20 Romanian talents, politicians, and vips. The score of the simul was 19, -0, = 1. On the last day of his stay Anand awarded the winners of the Romanian rapid and blitz championships.
Official site / Romanian Chess Federation
Anand and Aruna arrive at the airport
They are cordially met by the organizers Gambit-Elizabeth Polihroniade and representatives of the Indian embassy
The intensive schedule of Anand began with a press conference only a few hours after his arrival
… and continued with a series of interviews for local TV stations and media
At the press conference hall with the organizers after a long first day of the visit
The next day started with a simul, here the young talents come well ahead of the starting hour
The experienced team of VIPs is also ready to start the games
Anand cordially greets each participant before the simul
The last man standing after several hours, attracting the attention of the hall
Anand won 19 of the 20 games, here is the draw scoresheet signed by the World Champion
The simul is followed by a large session of autographs
On the third day of his stay, the World Champion awarded the cups and medals to the national blitz and rapid tournament winners. As usual the ceremony was preceeded by yet another session of autographs
Each winner received a medal, a cup, and a certificate from the organizers….
… and of course a photo with Vishy
The current World champion and a future World Champion?
All winners of the Romanian blitz and rapid championship with Vishy Anand and the organizers
