March 26 to 27
彭肇勤 (Péng Zhàoqín)
Diary from Yekaterinburg | Schaaksite.nl
March 26 to 27
The past few hours were probably the most troubled of my life. The situation is constantly changing: first we are told that a special plane takes off at half past ten going to Amsterdam. Later we are told we’ll go to Rotterdam with departure time at half past twelve... It changed again and again... And always waiting...
Caruana and Vachier-Lagrave would have had to play today, but they will have an endless time to prepare. Yet now they are together waiting to leave from Yekaterinburg. Caruana is to fly to the United States tomorrow (if possible), Vachier-Lagrave will return to Paris by plane or train.
At this point, FIDE President Arkady Vladimirovich Dvorkovich sent a personal message: “... While I’m listing all my wishes to celebrate my birthday today, I’m also hoping that I can solve logistics problems for you. Your charter flight will be ready at around 4,30 A.M. local time. The delay is totally unexpected and I apologise to everyone for the difficulties you are facing. The main problem has to do with the Dutch authorities, but I know that this is hardly a good excuse. Sorry again”.
If this is not true we are hopeless. At this time, the Tournament doctor also sent us the test results and stamped health certificates, which will serve to leave Russia and enter other countries. Finally, after four o’clock in the morning, that is, on the morning of March 27, for the first time in my life I get into a luxury jet with only twelve seats, and I finally leave at five o’clock!
We’re six fellow passengers: Jeroen van den Berg, Lennart Ootes and me from the Netherlands, Leontxo García, a well-known Spanish chess journalist, and two Candidates. We laugh that they have to play their round 8 game on plane flight. Seriously, the poor boys have no other thought than how to return home safely. Leontxo García’s situation is not too different. The only difference is that he came to Yekaterinburg at an unfortunate time.
Once arrived to the hotel, indeed, he ended up quarantined for more than ten days because he came from Spain. He could never get even close to the playing hall. Fortunately, thanks to the good Internet connectivity, he was able to write his daily reports. So we only saw him when we were about to leave, and we almost cried from joy. Everyone likes him very much, because even amid the worst of circumstances he’s always optmistic.
Now he finally has the opportunity to get close to the super Grandmasters and take photos and interviews. A laughing Vachier-Lagrave offers to pose for him!
Most of us, probably, are enjoying such a special plane for the first time. The seats are large and the furniture is excellent. Jeroen laughs and says he is travelling like a minister today. We even feel a little proud. No doubt Giri and l’Ami have gotten home earlier than us, but at the cost of denying themselves an air experience flight in such a cool flying machine!
Today fate brought us together, and, of course, we couldn’t but take pictures of it! Please don’t mention the problem of no longer wearing a mask. The people in Yekaterinburg work hard; they are monitored and monitored every day, and may be more transparent and healthier than most persons. No matter if they can infect each other; since they are together, they have to trust and support each other.
At 6,10 Central European Time, after five hours of flight, the plane landed safely at Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the Netherlands via Moscow! A business car brought us to Amsterdam Airport Schilpol, and from there to everywhere in the world. I wish Caruana, Vachier-Lagrave and Leontxo a smooth continuation of their journey, including those who go to China — hope everyone’s safe back home!
I enjoyed my work and my time in Yekaterinburg, and I don’t regret such an adventure. I’ll take up the challenge again, if it’ll be a next time.
Thank you for your attention and support! Bye!
彭肇勤 (Péng Zhàoqín)
Diary from Yekaterinburg | Schaaksite.nl
March 26 to 27
The past few hours were probably the most troubled of my life. The situation is constantly changing: first we are told that a special plane takes off at half past ten going to Amsterdam. Later we are told we’ll go to Rotterdam with departure time at half past twelve... It changed again and again... And always waiting...
Caruana and Vachier-Lagrave would have had to play today, but they will have an endless time to prepare. Yet now they are together waiting to leave from Yekaterinburg. Caruana is to fly to the United States tomorrow (if possible), Vachier-Lagrave will return to Paris by plane or train.
At this point, FIDE President Arkady Vladimirovich Dvorkovich sent a personal message: “... While I’m listing all my wishes to celebrate my birthday today, I’m also hoping that I can solve logistics problems for you. Your charter flight will be ready at around 4,30 A.M. local time. The delay is totally unexpected and I apologise to everyone for the difficulties you are facing. The main problem has to do with the Dutch authorities, but I know that this is hardly a good excuse. Sorry again”.
If this is not true we are hopeless. At this time, the Tournament doctor also sent us the test results and stamped health certificates, which will serve to leave Russia and enter other countries. Finally, after four o’clock in the morning, that is, on the morning of March 27, for the first time in my life I get into a luxury jet with only twelve seats, and I finally leave at five o’clock!
We’re six fellow passengers: Jeroen van den Berg, Lennart Ootes and me from the Netherlands, Leontxo García, a well-known Spanish chess journalist, and two Candidates. We laugh that they have to play their round 8 game on plane flight. Seriously, the poor boys have no other thought than how to return home safely. Leontxo García’s situation is not too different. The only difference is that he came to Yekaterinburg at an unfortunate time.
Once arrived to the hotel, indeed, he ended up quarantined for more than ten days because he came from Spain. He could never get even close to the playing hall. Fortunately, thanks to the good Internet connectivity, he was able to write his daily reports. So we only saw him when we were about to leave, and we almost cried from joy. Everyone likes him very much, because even amid the worst of circumstances he’s always optmistic.
Now he finally has the opportunity to get close to the super Grandmasters and take photos and interviews. A laughing Vachier-Lagrave offers to pose for him!
Most of us, probably, are enjoying such a special plane for the first time. The seats are large and the furniture is excellent. Jeroen laughs and says he is travelling like a minister today. We even feel a little proud. No doubt Giri and l’Ami have gotten home earlier than us, but at the cost of denying themselves an air experience flight in such a cool flying machine!
Today fate brought us together, and, of course, we couldn’t but take pictures of it! Please don’t mention the problem of no longer wearing a mask. The people in Yekaterinburg work hard; they are monitored and monitored every day, and may be more transparent and healthier than most persons. No matter if they can infect each other; since they are together, they have to trust and support each other.
At 6,10 Central European Time, after five hours of flight, the plane landed safely at Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the Netherlands via Moscow! A business car brought us to Amsterdam Airport Schilpol, and from there to everywhere in the world. I wish Caruana, Vachier-Lagrave and Leontxo a smooth continuation of their journey, including those who go to China — hope everyone’s safe back home!
I enjoyed my work and my time in Yekaterinburg, and I don’t regret such an adventure. I’ll take up the challenge again, if it’ll be a next time.
Thank you for your attention and support! Bye!
彭肇勤 (Péng Zhàoqín) and Lennart Ootes. Photo: Schaaksite.nl.
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