Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Historic game between Grandmasters comes ‘alive’

Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

LIFE-SIZE GAMES: Children dressed up as chessmen line up for the ‘live chess’ tournament organised by the Department of Sports and the Russian Cultural centre at the Jimmy George indoor stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For once, the students of Abraham Memorial High School, Thirumala, proved that size does matter in the game of chess.

Everything about the ‘live’ match organised by the Department of Sports and the Russian Cultural Centre here on Monday was of giant proportions. While the interior of the Jimmy George indoor stadium was converted into an oversize chessboard, the children positioned themselves as the pawns.

The match was held as the re-enactment of a contest between Grandmasters Alexander Alekhine and Emanuel Lasker at Zurich in Switzerland 73 years ago. It was arranged to coincide with the 115th birth anniversary of Alekhine who prevailed over his rival.

Dressed in black and white as chessmen, the students took position in each square in response to the moves made by C.S. Nair representing Alekhin and V.R. Pillai as Lasker. The soft music of Peter Tchaikovsky’s symphony and special light effects gave a theatrical effect to the live game.

Lasker’s king finally admitted defeat after both sides had made about 30 moves.

The event was organised by K.V.B. Menon, who was instrumental in promoting the game of chess in Kerala for over 60 years.

Sports Director G. Kishore inaugurated the programme. Director of the Russian Cultural Centre Ratheesh C. Nair presided over the inaugural function.

The winners of the chess tournament organised by the Russian Cultural Centre last week were chosen to represent the two Grandmasters. Students and chess enthusiasts turned up to witness the programme.

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