Korchnoi Again Plays Chess. Against Uhlmann, not Spassky Though (GAMES)

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.

We reported about the scheduled friendly match between Viktor Korchnoi and Boris Spassky over two weeks ago. It was planned to be held from March 27 in Leipzig, Germany. Let us emphesize, we got the mentioned information from Korchnoi himself.

Now it turned out Spassky haven't heard of the event. He wrote an open letter to RCF president Andrey Filatov stating it: 

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.

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 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.

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.

Viktor Korchnoi is among the participants of the strong open tournament which will take place in Zurich from December 26 to 30. It is a 7-round Swiss competition, the rating favourites are Radoslaw Woijtaszek 2711, Evgeny Alekseev 2698, Andrei Istratescu 2670, Boris Grachev 2669 and others. 

The Christmas Open started today in Zurich. The rating favourites are Radoslaw Woijtaszek 2711, Evgeny Alekseev 2698, Andrei Istratescu 2670, Boris Grachev 2669.