Day 1: Quiet start in Chess960 match

Peter Leko and Peter Svidler started their first day of the World Championship Match Chess960 with two draws. Svidler after the game:” We could not entertain the people that much today, but there were some funny moments in the first game, because we were not sure how to castle in a certain position. We asked the arbiter after the game and he showed us how to do it. But I will promise you: we will learn!” Peter Leko: “ I think that the first game was a high-level game, every move made sense. Nevertheless, the second game was more interesting. I was thinking about 1.c4 to attack the pawn on h7, but after a minute I decided to play1.e4 . Peter replied 1…c5 and suddenly we played a Sicilian! I had a better position but there was not enough time on the clock left to find the right plan to win the game.” 1-1 after the fisrst day in the World Championship. Six more games will be played.

Peter Leko
Chess960 World Champion
GM, Hungaria, IPS 2746.

Peter Svidler
Winner of the 1st Chess960 Open
GM, Russia, IPS 2744

Games: pgn cbv Viewer

Individual-Player-Strength (IPS)
IPS Match Rating
IPS-World Ranking

Pictures 1st day
Pictures 2nd + 3rd day
Pictures 4th day