24 May 2018
Anatoly Karpov Celebrates His Birthday in Moscow
Exhibition of items from 12th world champion's collection opens as well.
The 12th World Champion, RCF Vice-President, State Duma deputy Anatoly Karpov celebrates his birthday on May 23.
A festive event took place at business centre Znamenka in Moscow where an exhibition of rare items of Anatoly Karpov's vast collection was displayed. Many guests, including the representatives of chess community, came to congratulate Anatoly Yevgenyevich on his birthday.
Anatoly Karpov gave a speech at the beginning of the official part. He thanked everyone who came to the party, told of some interesting moments of his brilliant career and noted that December 2017 had seen the 50th anniversary of the start of his professional life. "I am a Russian man, from Ural. I enjoy traveling, I have many friends in different countries, but I have never thought about staying abroad", said the 12th world champion. In general, there are around 600 chess schools named after Anatoly Karpov working all over the world. Perhaps, a new point will appear this year - in the southernmost city in the world Ushuaia, Argentina. A school in Salekhard, which crosses the Polar circle, has been successfully functioning for a long time. Aleksandra Goryachkina was studying chess there in particular.
RCF President, Head coach of the Russian national men's chess team Andrey Filatov congratulated Anatoly Karpov on behalf of the Federation, wished his happiness, good health and well-being. He also recalled famous words of Leonid Brezhnev once said to the world champion: "Once you took the crown, hold it!" "And still Anatoly Yevgenyevich is "holding the crown". He won 183 tournaments and this is a record", said Andrey Filatov.
A concert was organized for the guests, while Anatoly Karpov gave a tour around the exhibition to everyone interested.
Photos by Eteri Kublashvili
