Atlantica - 01.11.2002, Page 56

This year the Icelandic Chess Federation has been celebrating the thirty year
anniversary of ‘The Match of the Century’, when Boris Spassky and Bobby
Fischer were competing for the chess championship title of the world. About 140
books have been written on the match plus uncountable magazine articles. Most
TV and radio stations across the world have aired broadcasts on the subject, at
one time or another.
On this occasion, The National Culture House in Iceland has opened an exhibi-
tion with the title: ‘The Icelandic Chess Heritage and the Thirty Year Anniversary
of the Match of the Century’.
In this exhibition, the chess table, on which the masters played their games, is
garnering the most attention. This table was specially designed for the match.
For its creation, the Icelandic Chess Federation chose a well-known Icelandic
designer, Gunnar Magnússon, who had made many artistic pieces of furniture.
The architect emphasised in his work a sturdy table, with reference to the Viking
age. For material, he selected natural mahogany with a matt varnish. His table
even has upholstered ‘armrests’ which make it more comfortable to lean against
when playing.
The designer gave his plans to the Chess Federation, and it was agreed upon that
only two copies were to be made of the board. Now, at the thirty year anniver-
sary of the event, Gunnar Magnússon has agreed to allow the Icelandic Chess
Federation to produce ten replicas. These replicas will be numbered and sold.
No doubt many will be interested in owning a replica of this famous and magni-
ficient table, to memorialise ‘The Match of the Century’.
i-site CHECKMATE❍
The
Marvellous
Chess
Table
A new, modern guesthouse in central
Reykjavík. All rooms with bath, TV, radio and
telephone. Excellent service and reasonable
prices with breakfast included.
Brautarholt 29
105 Reykjavík, Iceland
Tel. (354) 568 0777, Fax (354) 568 9747 A
D
76
4
Reflections of a grand
master: Boris Spassky
remembers the
“Match of the Century“,
played on this very
chess table.
54 A T L A N T I C A
WWW.ICELANDREVIEW.COMWWW.ICELANDREVIEW.COM
047-058 I-siteAtl502 23.10.2002 15:07 Page 54