Kasparov took on a female player in Macau

Kasparov visit to Macau covers “big gap” in his “geographical map”
03/12/2012 08:38:00
Viviana Seguí 

Garry Kasparov won yesterday’s chess match against the female Chinese chess master Xiong Junyang, which took place at the University of Macau. The final score, however, didn’t seem to be so clear cut from the beginning, even if Mr Kasparov stated afterwards that “it was not the most complicated game”, as the whole match lasted one and a half hours in total.

Invited by the “Riquito Advogados” solicitor’s office, Garry Kasparov, considered to be the “greatest chess master of all time”, played against Ms Xiong Junyang, a Chinese player and a two-time winner of the Chinese National Chess Championship in the junior category who lives in Macau.

The Russian chess master started the game as White, with a traditional “King’s Pawn opening”, which means moving the pawn into the e4 position. Ms Xiong responded with an e5 move of her pawn, called “Open Game” or “Double King’s Pawn Game”, which was quickly countered by her adversary with an Nf3 move of his knight.

While both players conducted the first moves without much interruption, the next ones were followed by longer periods of consideration and great moments of suspense for the audience. From time to time, Mr Kasparov turned towards the audience, giving the impression of watching them. Then again, one could often see his hand touching his other hand or remaining at his chin when thinking. At almost no point however did he stop swinging his chair (except when making a move), and eventually he even started cleaning his jacket. At times it would take him as long as his adversary to think about a strategy, then again, he advanced with a couple of moves when Ms Xiong had hardly finished pressing the button of the chess clock. After 30 minutes, when no pieces had been lost by either side, Mr Kasparov moved his Bishop – and subsequently moved it back again. It was only after 38 minutes that Ms Xiong captured her adversary’s knight in exchange for one of her bishops. Only a couple of minutes later the Chinese chess master had both of Mr Kasparov’s knights in her grip. 

Nevertheless she had to give up her second bishop with Kasparov’s next move. After an hour, the audience watched an exchange of queens by the players. But it was only after an hour and a half and a range of piece exchanges that the Russian player put his adversary in check, threatening her king with his bishops and rook, which finally also resulted in a checkmate for Ms Xiong.

The game was broadcast live on a screen located at one corner of the stage; while at the same time, another screen on the opposite corner transmitted each move on a “conventional” chess board, as the match was played on a special one-of-a-kind set. The artistic chessboard, which consisted of a set of “different and individual” artworks for each piece, was conceived by Konstantin Besmertny, the Russian painter and sculptor who resides in Macau.

As to playing on this unconventional set, the chess master said it was indeed “a little bit confusing”, and he went on to joke, “It’s the first time in 44 years that somebody has explained the value of the pieces to me.”

After his victory, Mr Kasparov stated, “It was a very good game” and praised Ms Xiang: “Definitely, she had a great time.” The game was followed by a long autograph session and by an even longer photograph taking session, after which Mr Kasparov started to complain that there seemed to be “infinite possible positions of taking pictures” with him.

Regarding his visit to Macau, the chess master concluded: “It’s interesting and I’m glad that I got an invitation just before my 50th birthday to cover such a big gap in my geographical map. I hope I will be visiting this part of the world more often.”

Source: http://www.macaudailytimes.com