Chess fans flood world title match, but have trouble seeing players
Organizers were caught off guard by the unexpected turnout, which led to long lines, rare glimpses of the two World Chess Championship contenders and ticket refunds for some.
NEW YORK – Chess fans from far and wide flooded into the sold-out World Chess Championship match in New York City Saturday and they were surprised — and many were furious — at how little they actually saw of the two grandmasters competing for the title.
The larger-than-sold-out crowd at Saturday’s second round of the 12-game match overwhelmed the accommodations at the Fulton Market building in the South Street Seaport area of Manhattan. That led to long lines and frazzled nerves among attendees who paid $75 for a ticket.
“This is the worst-organized event I’ve been to in my life,” said Carl Fisher of Brooklyn. “It’s a terrible disgrace.”
Fisher said he had been standing in line for more than an hour to get into the one room from which fans could see defending world champion Magnus Carlsen and challenger Sergey Karjakin, who were playing inside a glass-partitioned, soundproofed room.
The viewing room for fans has room for perhaps a few dozen at a time of the hundreds of attendees. For those not in the viewing room, there were two large lounge areas with bench seating or seating at tables, some of which had chess boards and pieces. But there weren’t enough seats for everyone, and the spectators’ only view of the two players in those rooms was by watching them on TV screens.
“I paid $75; may I please have a chair?” Anatoly Shpirt demanded in an exchange with event organizers. They directed him to rows of chairs that had been hastily added and which quickly filled up.
Shpirt, 60, is a Russian native who lives in New Jersey, and who has attended two world championship matches in Moscow, where there was theater-style seating so all ticket holders could eyeball the players on stage continuously.
“I think it’s a ripoff,” said Shpirt, whose wife was with him. “Here, it’s like being in a fish market … Definitely professionals should organize this match, not amateurs.”
At one point early in the game, more than 130 people were standing on line, awaiting their chance to get into the viewing room, Fisher among them.
“I’m 82 years old and there’s no place to sit,” Fisher said. “I should get my money back.”
I agree. I would like to have my money returned to me. I’m 66-years old. I purchased 4 tickets ($75.00/each) for Saturday, Game 2, for my wife, my two sisters and myself. My sisters left the match before the first move because the media crowded in front of the window blocking our view of the players from the small, hot, claustrophobic room. Thirty minutes into the match, after my wife and I viewed the first 12 moves or so with spectators standing, blocking my view, the organizers entered and insisted we leave the room so others could enter and view. When we objected and asked to move closer, they insisted we leave. We entered the larger room with video presentation only and could not find seats. -John Bain
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I agree they made a big hash of it, asked money, the sound is awful, video is worse… And this is America, not
middle of Africa. Before Google carton glasses they should make sure it works for the naked eye.
No end to shame…
One thing positive, it is God Bless Judith…
That is terrible 🙁
Hi Susan:
Thank you being a great advocate not only for chess and players but also for the spectators!
I too had purchased tickets for game two. In the theater style room it was crowded and hot with limited seating. 15 minute limit and the press, indeed, blocked everyone’s view for the first 10 minutes.
Agon gave me a Full Refund including the processing fees.
I would encourage those who are dissatisfied to politely state their case.
World Chess Support Desk
support@agonlimited.com
Send them your Order number, original email address that you used, and the last four digits of your credit card.
I also sent a pic of my tkt barcodes.
Received a response within 24 hours and credit posted on my card’s account within 72 hours.
Good luck everyone!
Hello, Dan Patterson and Susan Polgar.
Thank you very much for posting this article on ChessDailyNews.com, Susan, and for your reply, Dan Patterson. I am following your advice, Dan, and will post here when Agon reimburses me.
John Bain
ChessForStudents.com
ChessPuzzles.com
If my post helps just one person it will make my day! Good luck!
Hi, Dan. I received the following email note from World Chess. Thanks. -John
***
John,
Your tickets are currently in the process of being refunded. You will
receive your money back in a few business days.
Sincerely,
World Chess Championship
***
—
John Bain
ChessForStudents.com
ChessPuzzles.com