People in glass houses…By Malcolm PeinLast Updated: 12:01am BST 02/09/2008 An outstanding festival of chess is prospect at the Grand Slam Final underway in the Basque City of Bilbao. Six of the world’s finest players, who qualified by virtue...
Three of the guys
Aronian, Leon Hoyos, and Ivanchuk / Radjabov, Aronian, and Anand Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Just the GMs hanging out
Radjabov and his Dad / Carlsen, Anand and wife, Aronian, Leon Hoyos, and Ivanchuk before the Opening Ceremony Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Bilbao scenery
Bridge over Nervion river and Sheraton Bilbao where the players are staying Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Testing and inspecting the glass playing stage
The fans and media can see the entire action but the players cannot hear them at all. They will be playing in an air conditioned sound proof glass atrium. Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
#1 versus #2 in round 1
Here are the list of players based on the drawing of lots: 1 Anand2 Radjabov3 Aronian4 Carlsen5 Topalov6 Ivanchuk That means the first round pairings will be: Anand – IvanchukRadjabov – TopalovAronian – Carlsen Anand will start with two...
More from Bilbao
Magnus and his Dad Topalov and his manager Danailov President of the the Spanish Chess Federation, IM Javier OCHOA DE ECHAGUEN with wife and daughter The media here is overwhelming. It has a similar exciting atmosphere to the Mexico...
Bilbao drawing of lots
It was stressed at the Opening Ceremony that this is NOT the traditional chess scoring system. They are using the soccer scoring system with 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. In addition, players who...
Bilbao Grand Slam Opening Ceremony
Grand Slam players and organizers at the steps in front of City (Town) Hall Aronian, Carlsen, Radjabov, Ivanchuk, Anand, and Topalov Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Exclusive tidbits from Bilbao
Here are some tidbits from Bilbao: I spoke with Henrik, Magnus’ father, about his regiment. He told me that ideally, Magnus would wake up 3 hours before the game. I met Ivanchuk. I last saw him at the 2004...