Frankfurt Chess Classic 2000: Simuls by John Henderson

Simul Games in PGN

Kasparov gave a simul on June 19th 2000.

The World's strongest chess player limbered up for the defence of his Giants title by conceding five draws while defeating 35 players in a 40-board Frankfurt West simultaneous display held at the Tanus Tagungszentrum in Bad Soden on Monday.

The organiser of the FCC, Mr. Hans-Walter Schmitt (Elo 2025), was one of the 40 opponents and made a creditable draw playing black. Four others - Rene Wendt (Elo 2332), Andreas Gypser (Elo 2175), David Baremidze (German under-14 champion) and the Mayor of Bad Soden, Jens Beutel - also made draws.

Kasparov was in trouble against Wendt and in a losing position when a draw was agreed upon. "He was too strong for this simul," Kasparov said. Around 100 spectators, including GMs Peter Leko and his trainer Artur Yusupov, were present at the venue. Kasparov's trainer, GM Yuri Dokhoian and manager Mr. Owen Williams were also present. Another notable spectator was GM Vassily Ivanchuk, who gave a similar display the following day.

Although most of the participants were from the Frankfurt West Chess Club, 20 places were made available to the highest bidders (which shot up to a peak of 1,000 marks per board!) via auction in April at the FCC homepage (www.frankfurt-west.de). Kasparov is said to have charged 50,000 Marks for the display.

Ivanchuk and Svidler gave simuls on June 20th 2000.

The results of the three GM simultaneous displays were as follows: Kasparov +35, -0, =5; Ivanchuk +31, -4, =5; Svidler +15, -1, =0.