The April Witch

16-time World Chess Champion Anatoly Yevgenyevich Karpov, in an interview to Komsomolskaya Pravda last April 5, when asked about chess life in the time of coronavirus, quickly noted that it’s not a new thing for players to keep their immune system healthy and strong. Indeed, long ago, “6th World Chess Champion Mikhail Moiseyevich Botvinnik was who first realised how a spring vitamin deficiency may negatively affect a player’s shape. And for this reason, he always insisted that his matches be played in the month of April, as he supplied himself with both synthetic and natural vitamins. He felt he had a significant advantage in doing so, compared to others who did not”, Karpov said. As a State Duma deputy, Karpov was also asked if everyone in his group was healthy. “Yes. We tested, we took samples. And everyone who passed the tests is healthy”, he answered. “But some of ours have not yet returned from the regions”.

Karpov in his prime. Photo: 24smi.org.