Moscow, Dec 28: A new branded train Chess joins the Sokolnicheskaya (red) line of the Moscow metro. Starting from the depot Severnoe on 28 December, the train has opened a new page in Russian chess history. The Chess train's start was witnessed by the many-time world champion Anatoly Karpov, general producer of the Chess musical and Artistic Director of the MDM Theater Dmitry Bogachev, Deputy CEO on Client Services and Passenger Work of the Moscow Metro Yulia Temnikova, General Director of MTS Entertainment Mikhail Minin, and the CFR Chess Museum's curator, Candidate of Historical Sciences Dmitry Oleinikov.
Photos by Eteri Kublashvili
The new themed train's addition to the Moscow Metro is a joint effort of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Chess Federation of Russia, the Broadway Moscow Theater Company, and MTS Entertainment.
Each of the five cars of this unique train with no counterparts in the world is dedicated to different chess-related themes — game history, chess development in the Soviet Union and in Russia, VIP names in the world of chess, and, of course, the elegant chess pieces on easily identifiable black-and-white squared that keep inspiring representatives of creative professions. In addition, the train displays noteworthy facts about chess in cinema, visual arts, theatre, literature, and in the life of celebrities.
What about Madonna being an avid chess player and hiring the Scotland champion as her coach? And what about Marilyn Monroe's possessing a hefty collection of chess, which included sets made of precious metals? Or that the role of Svetlana from the legendary musical "Chess" was composed by ABBA with Alla Pugacheva in mind?
As for the game itself, everyone will definitely find something of interest here. Thus, as we know it today, classical chess is far from the only representative of this ancient art. What else is to know, after all? Something for the passengers to find in this new train, which is essentially a chess encyclopedia on rails. That said, it's high time we visit the metro, the Sokolnicheskaya line, get on the chess train and watch, read, wonder, and admire! And, needless to say, be proud of how crucial chess has been for the history of our country and that our grandmasters are world stars! The Chess train is a real mobile gallery gifted to the tourists and natives of Moscow: to get in touch with the chess history, you no longer need to buy a ticket to the museum — a metro ticket will do!
The chess train will circulate along the Sokolnicheskaya Line of the Moscow Metro for six months for everyone to have ample time to enjoy the stylish mobile chess gallery.
Posted in: anatoly karpov,Chess metro,moscow chess
