Pictures from the Simultaneous Exhibitions preceding the main event. Four Grandmasters were brought in by the United States Chess Federation to play against the top four teams from the Supernationals recently held in Knoxville. The team of four Grandmasters (Kaidanov, de Firmian, Gulko, and Yermolinsky) gave up only 2 draws in the 16 board match.

(All pictures courtesy of Michael Atkins)

GM Nick Defirmian gives a Simultaneous Match.
GM Nick de Firmian as he ponders his next move in the simultaneous exhibition preceding the Kasparov Simul.
GM Boris Gulko gives a Simultaneous Exhibition
GM Boris Gulko playing against his assigned team.
Another picture of GM Gulko.
Another picture of Grandmaster Gulko on his road to victory.
GM Gregory Kaidanov gives a Simul.
Grandmaster Gregory Kaidanov considers his next move while his opponents are lost deep in thought.
Another of GM Kaidanov
GM Kaidanov sits pensively late in the game against Elizabeth Thrall of Masterman, one of the top four from the Supernationals.
GM Alex Yermolinsky gives a simul.
GM Alex "the Yermonator" Yermolinsky contemplates the destruction of his four opponents.

Pictures from the Kasparov Simultaneous Exhibition against
the top-rated UMBC team and Baltimore youth.

Local star Alex Bardakh prepares his next move...
Local Star and Maryland Pre-Teen Champion Alex Bardakh prepares to play the World Champion.
GM Kasparov in the press conference preceding the games.
World Champion Garry Kasparov spoke at length concerning his recent match with Deep Blue at the press conference that preceded that main event.
GM Kasparov
World Champion Kasparov spent an extensive amount of time catering to the media before the actual match began.
World Champion Kasparov answering questions from the media and the audience before the start of the simul
The World Champion converses with his representative before the start of the match
The World Champion considers his next move while he is surrounded by cameras and spotlights.
GM Kasparov continues to answer questions put to him by the press and excited fans.
1996 Middle School Champion, and 1997 Sweet 16 Champion Ray Kaufman waits expectantly in the foreground as Kasparov waits for the simul to begin. Event Organizer Dr. Alan T. Sherman stands by.
Kasparov begins his game with IM Valery Atlas of UMBC. Atlas was later to concede defeat.
GM Kasparov and local hero William "The exterminator" Morrison shake hands before the start of their game.
Ray Kaufman, winner of the 1997 Sweet 16 Championship, sits calmly as the event is about to begin. Ray's game ended up being the last one to finish after he missed 2 opportunities to draw the World Champion.
The World Champion adjust his pieces before beginning his game against Ben Lefstein of Baltimore City College.
SM William Morrison records his first move, while IM Valery Atlas is lost in thought in the background.
William Morrison considers his next move while the World Champion tends to other games.
Edic Tsibulevskiy (sitting to the left) remains calm in his evaluation of his position against the World Champion.
 

Other miscellaneous pictures from the event....

UMBC star players Valery and Dmitry Atlas are interviewed before the start of the simultaneous exhibition.
Commentary on the top board of the simultaneous exhibition was provided by former UMBC student SM Craig Jones in an adjacent room.
Spectators were able to watch the game's progress on closed-circuit television in the analysis room.
Analysis was conducted on a large wall board outside of the main playing hall.
SM Craig Jones explains his interpretation of the position being battled out on board 1.
Maryland Chess News Letter Editor and Chess Organizer Kurt Eschbach.


Games:


GM Kasparov versus --

  The UMBC Pan - American Champions:

1997 Maryland Scholastic Champion:

Others:

 

Created: 2 June 1997
Last Modified: 17 November 2007

Derrick Longo < dlongo1@umbc.edu>