Videos of the day
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Vladimir Kramnik, to many the greatest chess player in Russia today, spoke to Europe Echecs about the upcoming Topalov vs Anand match. While I certainly respect Kramnik’s opinions, I can not but feel that he underestimates Topalov’s chances for personal reasons. The 2006 match between Kramnik and the Bulgarian involved a bitter scandal…
[blip.tv http://blip.tv/play/hIkMgc%2BjOQI]
Tomorrow will be the 64th anniversary of the death of Alexander Alekhine. I will reproduce my detailed article on the controversy surrounding his death in Portugal tomorrow. Today I present a 3-part video summary of the extraordinary life of Alekhine. There is no doubt that modern chess has been built upon the foundations of the life and work of the Russian genius.
The above photo shows a very young Alekhine (1909) sitting beside a vase given to him by the Czar of Russia (Nicholas 2). Alekhine kept the vase all of his life, despite being a world traveler. He had it sent to Portugal (from his mansion in France) during the second world war. It is believed to have been with Alekhine in his hotel room in Estoril the night of his death (murder), and was destroyed by his assassin. Perhaps it remains the vital clue to who really ordered his death….
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS