Chess Classic Mainz 2006
On site report by John Henderson - Day 1
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The Mainz Chess Classic got underway today in Germany right on the banks
of the Rhine - the start of a six-day chess extravenganza that culminates in Vishy
Anand playing Teimour Radjabov. Being big supporters of Bobby Fischer, the organizers
actively promote Chess960 with a series of high-profile matches, culminating in
the Chess960 World Championship match between Peter Svidler and Levon Aronian.
 Visit
the official website.
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 The
first day's play thhough saw a combination of veterans, young hopefuls and ladies
playing Chess960 - Lajos Portisch vs. Vlastimil Hort, Pentala Harikrishna vs.
Arkadij Naiditsch, and Alexandra Kosteniuk vs. Elizabeth Pahtz.
In the matches, Hort beat Portisch, Naiditsch beat Harikrishna with Kosteniuk
and Pahtz drawing.
Meanwhile, as tradition has it, in the main foyer outside the hall, Anand played
a 40-board simul, ending after five hours with 31 wins, 8 draws and one loss.
Photo Gallery - day 1
Anand playing a 40-board simul
Pentala Harikrishna and Arkadij Naiditsch
Chess960 match between Harikrishna and Naiditsch
Chess960 match Lajos Portisch vs. Vlastimil Hort
Vlastimil Hort
Lajos Portisch
Chess960 match Alexandra Kosteniuk vs. Elizabeth Pahtz
Day 1 main stage
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