AKRON, Ohio — Akron-area chess enthusiasts who wish to try their hand against a champion will have their opportunity this weekend.
Downtown Akron Partnership will present a simultaneous chess exhibition with Grandmaster Alexander Shabalov from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20 at Northside Marketplace, 21 Furnace St. at the north end of downtown Akron.
During the exhibition, Shabalov will compete against 25 opponents at the same time.
Shabalov is a four-time winner of the U.S. Chess Championship and a 2022 U.S. Senior Champion. He was inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame in 2015.
He known for an uncompromising, attacking style of play. According to the U.S. Chess Federation, Shabalov’s “thrilling style” was inherited from champion Mikhail Tal, who Shabalov studied with.
The Shabalov-Shirov gambit is an opening move named after Shabalov and Alexei Shirov, with whom he developed the strategy.
All ages and skill levels are welcome, but registration is limited. Reserve a spot online. The event is free to take part or watch and will be open for public viewing, according to DAP.
Other games and chess tables will be available for play. Visit the DAP website for more information.
