Anatoly Karpov: I brought this Gift for Fidel and Raul
Havana, April 24 (acn) Former Chess World Champ Anatoly Karpov announced, during a press conference here, that he presented Cuban President Raul Castro and Revolution leader Fidel Castro with two chess boards since he knew that Cuban leaders like chess.
“I know that Cuban leaders are fans of chess and therefore I brought this gift for Fidel and Raul, which we make in Russia and that bear my name,” said Karpov. He said that both chess boards were made following the design of those used during the 1966 Havana Olympics.
Karpov said he was very impressed with the popularity of chess in Cuba and the enthusiasm of the people during the simultaneous matches he attended in Cuba, first in central Santa Clara city (2004), and last Monday at the Havana-based IT university.
Karpov also extended his appreciation to Cuba for the treatment given to the victims of the Chernobil nuclear accident, an issue he said that he follows closely in his condition of president of the victims´ commission.
Source: Cuba News
Very nice gesture by Karpov who proves he is much more than a great chess player.
for many years chess players in Cuba got to expert level and above on their own. the cuban goverment didn’t supported chess, only the big tournaments were supported by the govertment. there is a long way before a player can make it to expert level in chess, the few chess schools that the cuban goverment brag so much about were not available to enough students either, most of the students in those few chess schools in most cases were relatives of those who strongly agreed with Fidel’s policies. In most of the few chess schools in Cuba there were not enough chess equipment or chess literature, also the was manipulation when it came to who was invited to none major FIDE rated tournaments (for a long time most of the guys geting invited to FIDE rated tournaments in Cuba were supporters of Castro)
there was even racism involve, black Cuban chess masters had a hard time geting invitations to tournaments as well
mr/ms/mrs anonymous:
not that I dont believe any random anonymous comment on the web, but it would be interesting with a source on that.
regards, another anonymous.
well if that dictator likes chess I guess he is ok despite how he has ruined cuba.