Political pawns: Iran loses chess record to Israel
By MATTI FRIEDMAN
The Associated Press
Friday, October 22, 2010; 9:06 AM
JERUSALEM — An Israeli broke the record for most simultaneous games of chess played by an individual on Friday, seizing the title from a chess master from his country’s archenemy, Iran.
Israeli chess champ Alik Gershon played 523 people, moving from board to board in a Tel Aviv plaza. He started Thursday and finished overnight, winning 454 of the matches, losing 11 and drawing in 58.
In London, Guinness World Records confirmed that the Israeli was the new world record holder.
The previous record was set last year by Iranian champ Morteza Mahjoob, who played 500 opponents at the same time in a Tehran arena.
The new record holder acknowledged the tensions between the countries. “Hopefully this is the only war we are going to have with this enemy, ever,” Gershon said.
He also noted the game’s ancient origins in Persia – now Iran.
“Taking the record from an Iranian in a game that was invented by Iran – it’s going to be even sweeter,” he said as his record attempt was getting under way Thursday.
Here is the full article.
It should never be political.
Ok u pushin politics, Susan i emailed Oprah’s Show,time to get exposed, the traditionalist are outta time they had a few years to learn a thing or two instead of all this hiding and fake genius nonsense.
To put the record straight—chess was not -repeat not– invented by Iran! Chess was invented in the 5th century in India, and I thought the whole world knew this. The original chess pieces then were elephants(today rook),horses(knight),camels(bishop), and of course, King and Advisor(Queen). When Iranians came to India—much later– they saw and learnt the game from the Indians, and took it to Iran. Following centuries saw the Arabs being fascinated by the game, who brought it to Spain from where it conquered several European countries. Chess was invented by the Indians in India and this fact is undisputed.
Mathur