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The traditional Aeroflot Open is being staged in Moscow from February 7 (arrival) to 17 (departure), 2006 at the Hotel Gamma (part of the Tourist Complex "Ismailovo"). The Festival consists of four nine-round Swiss tournaments, with a total prize fund of US $175,000. The winner of A1 tournament will be invited to play in the Dortmund Sparkassen Meeting, which takes place from July 23 to August 5, 2006.
“In these hard times when Russia is being demolished… I mean, the Hotel 'Russia'” – this is how Alexander Roshal, head of the press center and guru of chess journalism in general started his welcome speech to the crowd. A keen sense of humor helps to survive in transition times.
Tournament arbiter Geurt Gijssen with Alexander Roshal
The transition from the hotel “Rossija” near the Kremlin to the 3-star “Izmailovo” on the outskirts of the Russian capital could certainly be more painful. Still, a number of problems arose. Some players looked unhappy with the fact that breakfast is no longer included in the tournament package. A number of nicotine addicts got their rooms on non-smoking floors.
Reception area of the three star Izmailovo Hotel
Fortunately for them (although not for the rest of us), it is allowed to smoke just outside the tournament area, not to mention numerous cafes and restaurants. I personally appreciated that one of the cafes broadcasts football matches on a large screen. Also, I would like to complain about problems with the Internet, but they have probably already been fixed if you can read these lines.
GM Ruslan Scherbakov signing in for the 2006 Aeroflot Open
Let me check if you have paid the entrance fee…
Indian GM Krishnan Sasikiran registers
In the hotel “Rossija” players were allowed to use internet for free (at least some evenings they could surf the web and play chess for ducats). This time the organizers decided not to present the players with such perks. In “Izmailovo” there is a small Internet café, and although they are charging at least twice the regular prize, all the computers are constantly occupied by thirsty chess players.
Working the computers and the Internet in Moscow
The world's strongest women's chess force arrives in Moscow
On the left Zhu Chen with her husband GM Mohamad Al-Modiahki
Women's world champion Antoaneta Stefanova arrives
Chatting with American GM Alexander Shabalov
Special guest: ex world champion Anatoly Karpov
In great sprits, here with French GM Bachar Kouatly
FIDE Deputy President Georges Makropoulos and organiser Alexander Bach
The playing hall is okay, warm, but not overheated. This Winter in Russia is unusually cold, it is around –20 to –25 C in Moscow, but you can’t tell it being inside. Such weather condition certainly makes the players concentrate on chess. It is rumored (on weather.yahoo.com and Russian service gismeteo.ru) that we’ll enjoy a balmy –5 to –10 C by the end of the event, which is good for chess tourists. I would recommend visiting the CSKA Basket Hall for any of the Euroleague matches, where one can always find a good mixture of basketball and wild cheerleaders’ dances.
Playing blitz in the café on a magnetic chess board
The first round has started, however, there is no sign of a stable Internet connection, which means that (1) I can’t send the report and (2) you can’t see the games online. Too bad; the good news is that the technicians are aware of it; in fact, they are fixing it while I am typing. So, let us hope for the best.
More than a million Elo points collected in one hall
GM Pavel Tregubov speaks for the ACP
