GM Anatoly Karpov

GM Varuzhan Akobian

GM Timur Gareev

Grandmaster Karpov was World Champion from 1975 to 1985 and again from 1993 to 1999. In 1998 his appearance at the National Open contributed to a record attendance.

He will give a 24 board Simul on Thursday at 7 p.m. Participants will be chosen by lottery from all those who entered. There will be 22 seats available from the lottery and two seats will be auctioned right after the lottery drawings. Auction proceeds will be donated to the U.S. Chess Trust.

• A paid entrant gets one chance in the lottery for each day that we have their entry (starting Feb. 1).
• The earlier you enter, the better chance you have to win a seat.
• The lottery drawing will be held at 2:30pm on Thursday, June 14th.
• The entry fee for the Karpov simul is $125.
• If you do not win the lottery you receive a partial refund and choice of:
  • simul by GM Varuzhan Akobian
  • simul by GM Timur Gareev
  • entry to the U.S. Game/10 Championship
  • the commemorative CD
  • the commemorative Board and Set

Additional Grandmaster Simuls will start at 3:30 p.m., and players who sign up for the Karpov Simul and are not seated will have priority for these Simuls. Advance Entry Fee is $25 by 5/18, $30 after.

Varuzhan Akobian was born November 19, 1983, in Yerevan, Armenia. He began playing chess at age 5. When he was seven he began studies at a chess academy created by the Armenian Ministry of Education specifically for talented chess players. Here, Var received instruction from his first real chess coaches, Gagik Sargissian and IM Ashot Nadanian. Vahag Grigorian, a high-ranking Minister in the Armenian government, provided financial support that enabled Varuzhan to compete in tournaments outside of Armenia. He has won numerous championships including the 2010 National Open.