Rabat – Elite chess players, including Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen, are preparing to participate in the inaugural Casablanca Chess Variant tournament, alongside Hikaru Nakamura and Bassem Amin.
Set to take place this weekend, the tournament introduces a novel format that deviates from traditional chess competitions.
The Casablanca Chess Variant, scheduled for May 18 and 19, presents a departure from standard chess tournaments. Rather than playing original games, participants will face specific positions from past matches and must continue the game from there.
Offers of draws will notably be prohibited, adding an additional layer of complexity to the matches.
Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay commented on the potential of the concept to engage a broader audience and stimulate new ideas within the chess community.
However, opinions on the tournament’s format vary among players and chess enthusiasts, with some expressing skepticism about its ability to truly challenge players’ skills.
With both Anand and Carlsen boasting five world championship titles each, there is anticipation regarding the strategic approaches they will employ in this unique setting.
Fans are curious to see how these seasoned players will adapt to the unconventional format and whether it will lead to innovative gameplay strategies.
Organized by the Casablanca Stock Exchange and the Royal Moroccan Chess Federation, the tournament will feature a time control of 15 minutes per player, with an increment of 10 seconds per move.
This rapid format is expected to add an element of urgency and pressure to each game, testing the players’ ability to think quickly and make decisive moves.
Stay tuned for updates as Anand, Carlsen, Nakamura, and Amin converge in Casablanca for a test of skill and adaptability in this distinctive chess competition.
