Viktor Korchnoi and Boris Spassky to Play a Four-Game Match

Viktor Korchnoi hasn't played any rated games since 23rd September, 2012. He suffered a stroke later in 2012, which made most experts think that the chess legend wouldn't be able to return to competitive chess. In March 2013, however, Korchnoi played an exhibition match of 2 games in Leipzig vs Wolfgang Uhlmann, with the time control of 60 min/game for each. Korchnoi won 2-0.

The match with Korchnoi's participation started in Leipzig Germany. Korchnoi's opponent is not Spassky, as it was announced earlier, but Wolfgang Uhlmann. German GM turns 79 tomorrow, while Korchnoi will turn 83 on March 23.

Match consists of four games, those are most likely not broadcasted online. Korchnoi beat his German colleague in the first match game. 

E.SUROV: This isn't a typical interview you are used to read on our website. It has nothing in common with the dialog that Viktor Korchnoi and I have had here in Zurich 3 years ago. Back then, one could easily speak to Viktor Lvovich face to face, while this interview would have been impossible without assistance: the renowned Grandmaster has difficulty with his speech.

This morning Victor Korchnoi, who lives in Switzerland and represents that country in competitions, has arrived to the Kramnik - Aronian match in Zurich for the remaining two days. As always, he is not alone but with his wife Petra Leeuwerik. The legendary grandmaster has just played two rapid games with the sponsor of the match Oleg Skvortsov and then hasn't declined to play blitz, although that wasn't planned. All the games ended in favour of the veteran player.

A half of the rapid match (2 games out of total 4) between Viktor Korchnoi and Wolfgang Uhlmann has been played today in Zurich, as a part of Zurich Chess Challenge. Both games were won by White. The German veteran outplayed Korchnoi in the first encounter, but found himself in a hopeless position already at the beginning of the second game. The realization by Korchnoi was quite convincing.

The friendly match between the current Russian Champion Dmitry Andreikin and the former one Jan Nepomniachtchi has started today at 15:00 MSK Time in Moscow. The opponents will play six classical games, in  the case if any of them will last less than 3 hours, two rapid games with the time control 15+10 will be played the same day. Follow the first classical game of the match live.

The main sponsor of the match Kramnik - Aronian and the Russian businessman Oleg Skvortsov does not intend to limit himself to a passive participation in the event that started today in Zurich.

The rapid match between Viktor Korchnoi and Wolfgang Uhlmann has come to an end in Zurich as a part of the Zurich Chess Challenge. On the second playing day, the renowned veteran players exchanged victories again, with a difference that both today's games were won by Black. Thus, the final score is equal - 2-2.

All the games of the match can be replayed below.