Polish professional chess champion Kamil Miton almost didn't make it to Lubbock this week. He was on his way from Poland to Lubbock for the 2007 Spice Cup Invitational Tournament, but he ran into some travel issues. One of his flights was canceled, so he thought he may not arrive in Lubbock in time to play. “I'm just so happy that after all he's here, he made it and he'll make up the games he's behind with during the upcoming days we'll be back on track. Everything is under control,” says Susan Polgar, Tournament Organizer.
“I think it's really tough, so we all kind of like applaud the fact that he's here and he persevered enough to actually make it here instead of canceling on the tournament. That says a lot for his integrity and commitment for the event,” says the 2007 U.S. Women’s Champion, Irina Krush. Irina also says despite travel delays, the international aspect is what makes chess so great. She says the players get to see new places and meet new people. And, thanks to technology, so many people can meet the players. Organizers say they expect 10 million spectators to join them via the World Wide Web. "It's kind of a normal thing in chess because, you know, people can watch on the internet, they don't even have to leave their house, so it's really easy to get a lot of spectators. So, yeah, I'm kind of used to that part of chess,” says Irina.
"For other people who don’t play, maybe it looks very hard, but, okay, I played many years, 19 years, so, for me, it's very simple,” says Kamil. Once Kamil gets the chance to sit at the chess board he knows so well, it's simple. He can filter out the flight frenzy for something far better: the game. "I always hope that I win and I also try to, but not always,” says Kamil.”
If you would like to watch the tournament online, just go to www.monroi.com.
