In Moscow, following the chess matches of the top champions is something as normal and popular as the people in Spain, Italy or England discussing the latest termination of a famous footballer's contract. There are five million chess players federated in that country. With their chess education, the Slavs demonstrate amazing tranquillity. Surrounding a match contested by Russia, there is an ever-present halo of serenity which boosts the sensation of an inevitable victory. In this country where the inclusion of chess in the schools is still in its early days, the players usually prepare their skills in clubs and, before they have even learnt the rudimentary basics of the game, they are often playing frenetic rounds of rapid matches.
Many players reach a high standard before they fully know the rules.
Competition is everything, and often, on its altar, artistic creation and ideal chess play are sacrificed. Yet nobody could qualify Mediterranean chess as trivial or inferior. Reaching the top standard required to participate in a World Cup, the depth of play and the commitment are total. The hallmarks of 'hot chess' are not displayed on the board, but rather around the table. Palacios is the coolest of the Spanish players but, not only does he play his own game, he also keeps an eye on those going on around him and, when something goes wrong on his board, he buries his head in his hands and his ears go red.