Chess Local chesslers join GM Komarov in virtual simultaneous exhibition matches |15 May 2021

Local chesslers had a second chance to match their skills and moves against those of chess grand master Dimitri Komarov in virtual simultaneous exhibition matches.

The virtual simultaneous exhibition matches took place on Saturday May 8 and it was played over an hour. All eight players from Seychelles, Mauritius and France had a time control of 15 minutes and 10 seconds increments.

Born in 1968, grand master (GM) Dimitri Komarov won the Ukrainian Chess Championship in 1983, sharing first with Valeriy Neverov. He earned his international master title in 1990 and his grandmaster title in 1994. He won the Reggio Emilia chess tournament of 1997–98. He is the No. 46 ranked Ukrainian player as of June 2020.

GM Komarov lives and coaches a chess club in the United Arab Emirates. He used to coach the Sri Lanka national team. His Fédération internationale des Échecs (Fide) rating as of May 2021 is 2493.

The first time he played the virtual simultaneous exhibition matches against Seychellois chesslers and those from other countries was on April, 10, 2021.

Seychelles Chess Federation (SCF) chairman Benjamin Hoareau has said the exhibition matches present a great opportunity for the development of chesslers as they get to play against elite players.

Most of the players mentioned that GM Komarov plays very well and they are grateful for the experience as they learned and enjoyed from the games played.

Mr Hoareau added that he is looking for more such opportunities in the near future to help players grow and he is encouraging all parties involved to generously contribute like grand master Komarov did in the continuous success and development of the players, clubs and federations.