Wow I just wrote a really long post about my experience here at the event and it didn't post. Looks like I channeled my inner Garry and took way too long to post it.
Summary:
- $10 event price is insane value. Free food, great access to watching, commentary, players, half off restaurant.
- You catch so many little details. Some of my favorites:
The players pointing their knights to the queenside except Hikaru (pointing forward) and I think Levon (pointing forward). Le Quang Liem was the only one who did it like I do (knights facing each other).
Chatting briefly with Eric Rosen, Sabina Foiser, and Isaac Steincamp (
https://chesssummit.com).
Watching David Navara go over the ending with I believe a random fan after the last round. I think the guy simply asked Navara if it really was a draw or something and David sits down and for a few minutes proceeds to go over things with him. The guy took the Black side and kept losing, lol.
Watching the games finish up from the room next to the playing room and turning around only to find Anand watching them finish up too, peering over my shoulder about two inches away.
Having John Urschel and Robert Hess walk right behind and in front of me on the way back to my hotel (they were going to a restaurant on the way it turned out). I didn't realize they were boys, might be why Urschel seems to be poppin up at chess stuff so much recently.
Feeling Garry's presence at the board and in the room. Also Levon. Both clearly have more presence. Most of the players have absolutely zero.
It's a very unique experience and I have a hard time imagining other top events are quite as nice.
If anyone has any questions or wants more semi-mundane stories (like Akshat Chandra ringing the bell for a round prematurely a few times practicing and Hikaru laughing his ass off while everyone else looked confused), let me know.