First chess title opening match ends in drawMay 12, 2012 - 17:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The opening match of the first chess title to be decided in Moscow since the Cold War ended in a cagey draw on Friday, May 11 as the rivals probed for weaknesses ahead of an epic three-week series. India's title-holder Viswanathan Anand and Boris Gelfand of Israel shook hands after a compelling start to a clash that chess authorities hope will grip the public as it did when the Cold War shadowed the game in the 1970s and 80s. Moscow is hosting the 12-match series at the State Tretyakov Gallery with a view to bringing back some of the Soviet-era magic to a city that many Russians regard as the game's natural home. The 42-year-old Anand began his third defence of the world title since 2007 playing white and the overwhelming favorite despite a recent run of uninspired form. His Minsk-born rival for his part was making his maiden challenge at 43 and hoping to fulfil the promise that once made him a hope of the great Soviet chess machine in his youth, AFP reported. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. 151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. IDBank issues 2nd tranche of dollar bonds of 2024 On May 13, 2024, IDBank placed registered coupon bonds under the abbreviation AMANLBB2PER9. Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. |