From left, Sports Minister Ali Abadi and Iranian Chess Federation President Dr. Ebrahim Maddahi and officials open the match.
Karpov, Anatoly (2644) – Ghaem Maghami, Ehsan (2604) [E32]
Mate of the King (1), 27.01.2009
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 0–0 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 b5 7.cxb5 c6 8.f3 Nd5 9.Qd3 f5 10.Nh3 cxb5 11.e4 fxe4 12.fxe4 Nf6 13.e5 Nd5 14.Ng5 Rf5 15.h4 h6 16.g4 Rxf1+ 17.Rxf1 hxg5 18.Qg6 Nf4 19.Bxf4 gxf4 20.Rxf4 Qxh4+ 21.Kd2 Qh2+ 22.Ke3 Bb7 23.Raf1 Nc6 24.Rf7 Qh3+ 25.Kd2 Qh7 26.Rf8+ Rxf8 27.Rxf8+ Kxf8 28.Qxh7 Nxd4 29.Kc3 Nf3 30.g5 Nxe5 31.Qh8+ Kf7 32.Qb8 b4+ 33.axb4 Bc6 34.Qxe5 a6 35.Kd4 Bb5 36.Kc5 d6+ 37.Kxd6 Kg6 38.Ke7 Kh7 39.Qe4+ Kh8 40.g6 Bc6 41.Qf4 Bd5 42.Qb8# 1–0
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Official website: www.mateoftheking.com
Rules:
Mate of the King
Karpov – Ghaemmaghami
26 Jan. – 03 Feb. 2008; Tehran-Iran
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, the Iran Chess Federation has the honor to organize the Combined Match between GM Anatoly Karpov of Russia and GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami of Iran from 26 January till 03 February 2009.
The FIDE Laws of Chess will apply with the following exception: as a Special Condition in respect of the Public and Media, all games should continue until the last playable move on the board. A player cannot offer a draw or even resign the game. In a losing position a player should continue until mate and in a drawn position should continue until three time repetition of Position or until lack of mating pieces for both sides or stalemate.
The Chief Arbiter will not accept any violation of the players against the basic rules.
The Program includes 3 parts: Classical Games, Rapid Games and Blitz Games.
Time Control of Classical Games is 90 Min. + 30 Sec./Move (Fischer Mode increment from move One).
Time Control of Rapid Games is 25 Min. + 10 Sec./Move (Fischer Mode increment from move One).
Time Control of Blitz Games is 4 Min. + 2 Sec./Move (Delay time increment from move one).
This is an interesting event. First, the modification of the rules, especially the part about mate in almost all games brings chess back to the old ages. What makes it even more interesting is the notion that the game of chess has its origins in Iran. At least its a theory. Others say it originated in India and than passed to Persia/Iran. So I bless this modification.
The other interesting aspect about this match is political. Usually I am not commenting on politics. But it is hard to ingnore the political symbol here. First Karpov recognizes the legitimacy of the Iranian regime, which can be seen as provocotive. Myself, after some thought and consideration, I can see it as ok and may be positive even. After all I believe in respecting and reconginzing the different other as a starting point for talk and peace.
And what can be better than a chess match as a diplomatic tool?
Another now serious point is the nearness between Obama’s inauguration and this match. Obama is known for his diplomatic approach toward the Iranian regime.
so this match is so symbolic, as it symolizes the turning of the new Obama era.
I pray that all nations will find a logical solution to problems and that peace will come.
Best wishes
A. Weiler
Will you still respect and recognize the different as they chop off your head? You blithering idiot.
As Mr Weiler says it can be productive that Mr Karpov plays in Iran, as it happened in Lybia where the “world chess championship” was staged, and now Gadafi is “on the western side”. But as I say it will only be positive if it means a change.
On the other hand it is suprising that the iranian regime decides to celebrate its anyversary with a chess event, the same sport that they once forbid and deemed demoniacal.
Nice to see some actual checkmates on the board…you only get to see them in books these days…
It is all right for Karpov to play in Iran but it should not have been for the celebration of the islamic revolution wich makes it a political statement. A person familiar with dictatures should know better.
To accede to non FIDE rules is another thing an ex FIDE champion should not very proud of. I would be ashamed in his place to be forced to play until the mate like a stupid beginner.
To the three who touched on the political implications of the regime – Iran is a democracy. Its government is the outcome of fairly democratic elections. Whether you like the government or not, this is your problem. As for Karpov, he is simply playing chess.
Sometimes a chess game is just a chess game.
Chess = politics. Every move of that game looks prearranged to suit the current political global crisis situation. Take a closer look and you will see a formation similar to the US continent map for starts.
George Bush would not have allowed this match under these rules to happen.
George Bush wouldn’t have known what ‘chess’ is…
that’s a good point! denouncing karpov for playing in the country of the ayatolakhs would be like denouncing people who participate in tournaments in the US on the grounds of the americans having voted for a retard twice in a row 🙂
It’s still possible to resign by purposely allowing a quick checkmate, and a draw can still be offered by repetition.
Karpov playing in Iran = Terrorism
Iran = glass parking lot
Obama is not President of Israel.
Israel has a right to defend itself against Muslim agression!
Congratulations to Iran for inventing a new rule that noone has thought of before! Let’s help them by doing the same in our own countries.
drons
1.I’m iranian,here is worst than hell!
2.Pop was a special guest of bush!! NO ONE say anything in US & out.
3.Israel rules this rubbish world.
4.so just play your chess guys!