CHESS EX-WORLD CHAMP KARPOV VISITING BAGUIO CITY ON FEB 1ST

January 27, 2023 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

Former world chess champion Anatoliy Karpov is coming up to Baguio City on February 1, 2023 for a brief halfday visit that includes a personal appearance at the Baguio Convention Center for a chess engagement with local chess aficionados led by the Baguio Chess Club. Mayor Benjie Magalong welcomed the brief but meaningful visit of the famed ex-world chess titlist, recalling that the Baguio Convention Center was the venue for the historic chess match between him and fellow Russian Viktor Korchnoi in a grueling tournament that put Baguio City in the world map.

“As a chess enthusiast myself, I express the gratitude of our people in spreading the welcome mat for Mr. Karpov in his first-ever visit to the Summer Capital of the Philippines, after winning his chess match with a tough contender,” Magalong said, stating that Baguio’s officialdom is honored to have him back even for a short visit. The mayor also invited the city’s chess players, notably from the Baguio Chess Club, to be part of the audience that will watch a film documentary on the fabled chess match, which the former world chess titleholder will personally annotate.

This will be shown at 2 o’clock at the city’s convention center. A chess exhibition is being arranged for Karpov. The four-hour visit of the famous chess grandmaster will start at 12 noon with a courtesy call and lunch with the city’s chief local executive, to be followed by a visit to the Baguio Convention Center for a tour of the premises, then by a film presentation that is open to the general public. He leaves Baguio City at about 4 o’clock for his return trip to Manila.

Artemio Dumlao/ABN