Leko vs. Karpov in Miskolc

It is a great pleasure for the City of Miskolc to be able to host this year’s most prestigious rapid chess match in the world between two international grandmasters, Anatoly Karpov and Péter Lékó. Miskolc has the third largest population in Hungary and the people of this City are great lovers of sport and culture. Over the past few decades we have had visits from both European and world stars of long-distance walking, handball, basketball, karate, boxing and speedway. At the same time, Miskolc is a city of music festivals. Miskolc’s “Bartók+.” International Opera Festival has already become well-established and has acquired an international reputation.

Chess has long-standing traditions in Miskolc; the City has produced multiple-winning teams in national championships, as well as a number of noted players on the international scene. In accordance with our plans of last year – being encouraged by the great success of the Lékó-Adams match – our International Grandmaster is to take on another challenge in Miskolc in the person of one of the most famous chess players in the world, the twelfth world champion, the legendary Anatoly Karpov. It is a further appreciation for us that this extraordinary rapid match will take place in the compelling National Theater of Miskolc.

I hope that in September, after the competition, you will also find the time to get to know the natural jewels of Miskolc. Our main tourist attraction is the Miskolctapolca Cave and Thermal baths, which is a unique natural geological formation in Europe.The Bükk mountain ranges, the fast-flowing streams of Lillafüred and the cool mountain air are the dream of all those seeking rest and recuperation. This mountain resort’s most well-known sights are the Palace Hotel overlooking Lake Hámor and the nearby waterfall, which is Hungary’s highest.

In the historic centre you will find a beautifully paved car-free high street, part of the longest high street in Europe, where the baroque and eclectic styles of the old town-houses merge gracefully with one another. On this street stands the atmospheric Kossuth Cinema, which was in the last year the locality of the Match Leko-Adams.

Miskolc can boast of countless architectural, artistic and historic monuments. Pride of place amongst the sights is taken by the Hungarian Reformed Church building and its separate belfry standing above the city on the slopes of the Avas Hill. Two of the city’s most important historic buildings are the Greek Orthodox Church and the nearby Museum of the Hungarian Orthodox Church. The Miskolc National Theatre, which, thanks to the renovations carried out recently, is one of the most modern building complexes in Central Europe, is the first stone-built theatre in present-day Hungary. The Theatre promises a warm welcome to those seeking cultural inspiration.

To all of you who are interested in coming here, and to those of you who do come so far to see us here as our guests, I promise you a warm welcome, great relaxation and an enriching experience during your stay here in Miskolc.