Check and mate: footballers played chess

06-11-14 23:05:39

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6 November. Shakhtar in Lviv. After the match with BATE, the team rested all afternoon. In the second half of Thursday, Lucescu held a training session for those who did not participate in yesterday's match. The rest of the players had a fitness training and recovery. Upon finishing the procedures, the footballers were introduced to... a chess simul!

It was decided to hold a simultaneous exhibition at the local rotary club Lviv, which on Thursday hosted a charity chess tournament with special guests: famous grandmasters Margeyr Pétursson (Iceland) and Oleg Romanishin (Ukraine). Shakhtar was represented by Ivan Ordets and Dmytro Chygrynskiy. However, the second one wasn’t meant to play. Dmytro’s place was taken by... his dad! Anatoliy Chygrynskiy has been fond of this sport all his life, knowing all the clever moves!

- Dmytro, why did you not play? After all, today there was a chance to play with your father...
- No, no. I think it would be nice for him to test himself in the game with a professional grandmaster.

- What about mom? She is also here. Is you mom a chess player?
- Mom? Even I, though I have never played, could have beaten here in two moves! Her skills are even worse than mine. (Laughs.) She is just supporting the dad. He is fond. He would ski and run, do cycling and play football.

- There is a suspicion that the parents are with you not accidentally. You mark your birthday on November 7!
- No, they came for the Champions League game. Plus, Shakhtar play on Sunday. Besides, we have a house in Lviv. So parents are often here. And, of course, they have an opportunity to see me.

- What are your impressions of the event?
- It's great! All campaigns regarding children are very pleasing to Shakhtar. We were received well in Lviv, we are supported at all games. I’d like to thanks fans for that!

Ivan Ordets’ situation is more complicated: he doesn’t have relatives in Lviv who are fond of chess. I had to do it on his own. The outcome was sad but logical: mate in three moves!

- Ivan, you decided to play openly to finish faster, didn’t you?
- To be honest, yes.

- Quickly got bored?
- No, the opponent was very good.

- So challenge him on the football field to take revenge!
- Ok, I call for Pétursson! It will be a battle! But seriously, I am very pleased to participate in such events. Next time I will win. Although I like more long backgammon. Last time I played chess was when I was ten. I remember the correct moves, but not how to play.

- Blind GMs were sitting next you...
- Yes. I always admire the people who, no matter what, do not lose interest in life, have found themselves to strive for something. As I understand it, they play using letters. They are told where are the figures, and they make moves. I have huge respect for these people.

The money collected during the charity chess match will be used by the rotary club Lviv to acquire the essentials for two orphanages - in the town of Skole and in the village of Lopatin.

- This is the third such event in the history of our club - said the organizer of the charity event, Professor of National University Lviv Polytechnic Bogdan Demchina. - Its essence is this: anyone play with a famous grandmaster contributes a small amount. All the money raised are given to two child care centers that we have been patronizing for several years.

- What does it mean to you to the presence of the Shakhtar players?
- Personally, I am happy that the Pitmen are based in Lviv. I am glad that there is an opportunity to communicate with the players. You see how many people gather at Arena Lviv at the Shakhtar matches, no matter against whom they play! People come because Shakhtar play. We are happy that we will see good football a little.

FC Shakhtar
Press Office