MEXICO: Chess legends Kasparov and Karpov face Mexican students

Record ID: 303846

  • Title: MEXICO: Chess legends Kasparov and Karpov face Mexican students
  • Date: 20th November 2010
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF RUSSIAN DANCERS ON STAGE
  • Embargoed: 5th December 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA22KO73KYQN2F2V99ZOB5X9XWF
  • Story Text: Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov and compatriot Anatoly Karpov, faced four Mexican students each from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM on Thursday (November 18) to celebrate the bicentennial of the nation's independence.
    Carlos Lopez de Nava put up a tremendous fight against Karpov but was defeated after nearly two hours play.
    Kasparov faced Carlos Torres a medallist at the Youth 2010 Olympics, Jorge Vazquez from the Engineering Faculty, Alejandro Hernandez and Tania Sanchez from the nursing school.
    Karpov, who needed more time to beat his opponents played against Vicente Gutierrez from the Engineering Faculty, Juan Manuel Garcia from the Economy Faculty, Estefania Barreto from the Science Faculty and Carlos Lopez de Nava, who could not hide his enthusiasm.
    Karpov, said the experience would stand the students in good stead.
    "We are completely sure learning chess, the logics, tactics will not only help them with their game, but also in the subjects they are studying at this University."
    Kasparov said that chess was still hugely popular.
    "Because that shows, all conversations about chess losing popularity are false."
    In 1984 Kasparov, now 47 and a leading opponent of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, waged an epic battle with then reigning champion Karpov, now 59, which was called off after 48 matches because of concern over the players' health.
    Kasparov said the 1984 match was called off to save Karpov from defeat -- and a nervous breakdown -- as the match had come to symbolise the competing forces then at play in the Soviet Union. Karpov was a darling of the Soviet establishment.
    By the time the 1984 match was halted, Karpov had won five games and Kasparov three, with 40 draws. Both said they wanted to play on.
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