Chess News

“It’s a kind of Magic” at the Oliver Gonzalez Memorial

Report by WGM Anna Rudolf

I would have bet before the start of the tournament that the most popular side event will be the football. Watching football. Or playing football. Or sight-seeing on football (aka the Bernabeu Tour). Or at least the karaoke that has nothing to do with football but is really funny.

But no… None of these activities enjoyed such a popularity as Wednesday’s evening programme, the Magic Show by the one and only Javier Tamayo.

Javier Tamayo, also known as Tamagic

Javier Tamayo, also known as Tamagic

Javi is a teacher-chessplayer-magician who often delights his friends with his brilliant card tricks, and, to our pleasure, had agreed to put together a show for the participants of the Oliver Gonzalez Memorial.

The Magic Show took place in the building of the Vázquez & Torres Ingeniería Wednesday evening, with the attendance of 45-50 players, organisers and fans. And the result? Shining eyes, dropped jaws, laughing with tears and unstopping applause.

A picture is worth a thousand words? I do think so:

WFM María Rodrigo volunteers for one of the tricks...

WFM María Rodrigo volunteers for one of the tricks...

...and is amazed by our skillful magician (or by the even more skillful duck, Paquito)

...and is amazed by our skillful magician (or by the even more skillful duck, Paquito)

Javi involving the audience in all kind of ways

Javi involving the audience in all kind of ways

IM David Larino transmitting his card to the audience by a special transmitting kit...

IM David Larino transmitting his card to the audience by a special transmitting kit...

...and a special transmitting method (Can you guess what his card was?)

...and a special transmitting method (Can you guess what his card was?)

The players making a trick on their own...

The players making a trick on their own...

...with the cards found under their seats

...with the cards found under their seats

The participants, including FM David Anton and WFM Lucia Pascual, enjoying the spectacle...

The participants, including FM David Anton and WFM Lucia Pascual, enjoying the spectacle...

...as well as WGM Anna Rudolf, who is a big fan of Javi's shows

...as well as WGM Anna Rudolf, who is a big fan of Javi's shows

An audience bursting out of laughter (How many masters can you spot?)

An audience bursting out of laughter (How many masters can you spot?)

Javi Tamayo, an extraordinary person who brought on an unforgettable spectacle

Javi Tamayo, an extraordinary person who brought on an unforgettable spectacle

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