Author: Anatoly Yevgenyevich Karpov (1951- ) and Yakov Borisovich Estrin signed by Karpov
Year: 1977
Publisher: Black Knight
Place: Bad Zwischenahn
Description:
26 pages with illustrations. Octavo (8 1/4" x 5 3/4") bound in original publisher's pictorial stapled wrappers. Signed by Anatoly Karpov. First edition.
On March 29, 1977, in Bad Zwischenahn Hotel "House by the Sea" Simultaneous performance, World Champion Anatoly Karpov (tournament chess) against 20 opponents and Jakow Estrin (correspondence chess) against 40 opponents. A member of the Black Knight chess club, Rolf Rösener, closely observed the chess scene and surprised the members in late summer 1976 with the information that the aforementioned world champions were planning a simultaneous exhibition tour of West Germany for 1977. The request to the German Chess Federation (DSB), the organizer of the trip, was initially rejected, as all dates in Germany were already booked. However, the DSB offered the Black Knight team the option of stepping in if another club canceled. They had to accept this offer, only a short time later, the DSB informed them that a club had canceled and Bad Zwischenahn was their replacement.
A venue was quickly found. Mrs. Alma Deters, owner of the Hotel Haus am Meer, gladly provided her hall free of charge and also accommodated the world champions and the president of the DSB free of charge. A commemorative publication in the form of a brochure was to be printed. It contained biographies and drawings of all previous chess world champions, designed by Gunda and Hans von Dehn. Enlarged versions of the drawings also adorned the wall of the tournament hall. To finance the printing of the brochure, advertisements were collected. This was successful, although higher revenues had been hoped for. Nevertheless, a small surplus remained, which was used to decorate the hall in the house by the sea. Many small arrangements of fresh flowers adorned the tables, which were set up in a U-shape, and several beautiful large hanging flower baskets hung from the ceiling.
Heinrich Eickhorst of the chess club "Freibauer Westerstede" wrote an invitation in Low German to all residents of Ammerland and their visitors to come to the simultaneous exhibition in Bad Zwischenahn. And they came in droves.
Over 300 spectators wanted to see the world champions in action. In a wise move, a rope had been stretched around the simultaneous exhibition boards, so that ultimately space for the spectators became limited and some had to watch through the windows of the conservatory. DSB President Alfred Kinzel was full of praise in his speech, calling it the most beautifully presented simultaneous exhibition of the entire German tour so far. And he was careful to add: "And don't think I'm going to say that at every stop on our tour." A German radio reporter broadcast live, and a television crew recorded the event. The report was shown a week later as part of a new episode of "Chess to the World Champion".
Karpov played against 20 opponents; Estrin dared to take on 40 chess enthusiasts. For his courage, he suffered 2 defeats and allowed 7 draws, while Karpov only conceded 1 draw against the 14-year-old student de Boer from East Frisia.
Condition:
Signed on the front wrapper by Karpov. Spine sunned, Bumped corners with crease to heal corner, light edge wear else very good.