Day 2 in Santiago is going well. I'm due to get an overnighter to Copiapo tonight (at 23:15) so I have plenty of time to kill. After my run up the Cerro I've been doing a few bits and bobs. Although, it seems a lot of the Museums around here are closed for refurbishment/repair. To be honest I can't really manage more than an hour or so in a museum anyway so not to worry. So i was chilling (South American style) in the main square here in downtown Santiago - Plaza de Armas, when I notice something happening open the bandstand. What's this.....
Tremendo! A chess competition!
These two really mean business.....
Speed chess to the max and the guy on the right really hammers down the pieces for effect! (Actually I'm beginning to notice this is quite common amongst the players here .... take THAT!) - The guy on the right won the first game, but the older dude on the right got revancha with a demolition in the next one.
and these two are on the clock...looks like a final or something with the crowds ...
I edge closer to get a look see... The chap in the hat appears to be winning...on time and pieces on the board (looks like they had 10 minutes each and they are down to about 4 left now). Then I notice that hatman is giving a constant and very annoying running commentary. I ask the spectator next to me in my stilted spanish ... Jugador hablando constantamente, esta bien? He laughs and says "Si"
I am beginning to get really annoyed with hatman and I'm not even playing! This would not do in the UK, hatman would surely be taken aside and given a dressing down. I am now really rooting for the other guy....and then YES, a stunning counter attack (kinda like my own chess style ;o) ) and hatman is defeated .... and he's not happy! I punch the air and I'm really tempted to push through the crowd to shake the winner's hand - TREMENDO!!!!!
PS before you ask - I did look around for an empty chair but there were no empty slots ... otherwise I'd have been all in for a game or two (but not against hatman - I think I might've done something out of character if I'd had to endure his constant chatter)
A touristy / arty shot from Plaza de Armas to finish.
Tremendous indeed!
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