A leading chess player turned up drunk and dozed off after just 11 moves in an international tournament.

 

French Grandmaster Vladislav Tkachiev arrived so sozzled he could hardly sit in his chair and soon fell asleep, resting his head on the table. Organisers of the contest in India desperately tried to wake the world number 58.

 

But the game was awarded to his Indian rival on the technical grounds of Tkachiev being unable to complete his moves within the stipulated time of 1hr 30mins.

 

“Each time he fell asleep, players around would try to wake him up with a shake of the shoulder,” the Indian Express newspaper reported, alongside photos showing Tkachiev with his head resting on the table. Some even offered him water and Tkachiev, having briefly refreshed himself at the change-room while his opponent waited, dozed off again and eventually had to be carried off."

 

Tkachiev, who is officially ranked 58th in the world, is known as one of the more colourful, fast-living characters on the chess circuit.

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/09/05/drunk-chess-champ-dozes-off-during-tournament-115875-21649285/

Must be a busy day at the news desk today...

*sigh* Russians...

Must have been a late "knight"............................... :rolleyes: