Source: Susan Polgar Chess Daily News and Information

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Greetings from Khanty-Mansiysk!

I finally arrived in Khanty-Mansiysk! My route was: Lubbock, TX --> Dallas, TX --> New York --> Helsinki --> Moscow --> Khanty-Mansiysk! Thank God for Internet access :) The trip was long (2 days) but relatively smooth. A few small problems transferring from one airport in Moscow to another but that's life.

By absolute coincidence, I was on the same flight to Khanty-Mansiysk with my long long time friend Anatoly Karpov. I thought he was already in Khanty-Mansiysk but it was a pleasant surprise. I have not seen him since I believe the Dresden Olympiad where we dined together at the World Champion's Dinner with another of our long time friend Boris Spassky.

When I arrived in Khanty-Mansiysk (I believe it was something like around 3 am. Kind of difficult to keep track of different time zones.), the Olympiad organizers had people there waiting for me. My Norwegian friend Morten Sand (former FIDE VP and Counsel) was also there to meet me and to give me a ride back to the hotel. I am so lucky to be surrounded by wonderful people.

I am going to get a quick nap now then off I go to a media event in a few hours. Be sure to check back later in for more behind the scene scoops from the Khanty-Mansiysk Chess Olympiad!